Happy International Women’s Day! In honor of this day and of Women’s History Month, we will be celebrating the incredible women who work to disrupt conservation every day.
Today, we start with our very own Misa Winters, who is a pivotal leader in our Seattle team as our Acting Director of Molecular Innovation and Operations,
With expertise in DNA assays and wildlife genetics, she's shaping crucial research on species preservation and fighting against illegal wildlife trade with the NABIT, our field-ready automated tool that validates the identity of a wildlife or food product, anywhere in the world.
We invite you to learn more about her journey, thoughts, and goals:
What inspired you to pursue a career in conservation?
I was inspired to pursue a career in conservation in part because I was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii where I got to appreciate native and rare species which were commonly threatened with extinction. My mom also worked in tropical agriculture and served on associations that tried to implement management strategies for invasive species. In many ways she inspired me to take an interest in the natural world and to appreciate all life and its place in the ecosystem.
Was there a woman that inspired you to pursue a career in conservation, and how did they influence you?
When I went to college and started to study biology and ancient DNA I became inspired by Dr. Beth Shapiro who pioneered approaches for using genetic data and the fossil record to better inform how species will respond to climate change based on those same responses in the past. Knowing that genetics can inform conservation, without ever touching a living plant or animal, is deeply cool and rewarding to me.
What advice would you give to other women interested in pursuing a career in conservation?
My advice for any woman or women-identifying person with an interest in conservation is to first discover what brings you intrinsic joy and fulfillment, then determine how that could be harnessed for this greater purpose. We need all types of skills, ideas and energy - not just math and science - to tackle this challenge, and it is important to find a peer group, mentor or some other support to help you walk this path.
Today, and every day, we honor Misa and the countless women like her who are shaping the future of conservation.
Stay tuned for more inspiring features next week!
