Judy Brusslan
Professor
California State University, Long Beach
Long Beach, CA
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 PhD,
University of Chicago |
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Judy Brusslan's job
combines teaching, so that she has a broad perspective on
biology, with research that keeps her more focused on her
particular research area. |
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"Stay
strong in math and biology!" |
What
fields of biology do you work in?
Brusslan:
Plant Molecular Biology plus a side project on
stingray population genetics.
Q:
When did you know you wanted to become a Biologist?
Brusslan:
Third grade; I had a giant insect collection and
spent all my free time catching bugs, identifying them and displaying
them in cigar boxes.
Q:
What was your college experience like?
Brusslan:
I was a Biology major at Middlebury College. I
loved my senior year when I started focusing on Molecular Biology and
worked in a microbiology research lab.
Q:
Did you incorporate work experiences while you were an undergrad?
Brusslan:
I worked 10 hours per week at the college
cafeteria…not a huge demand as some students carry today.
Q:
How did you get your first job?
Brusslan:
I was a technician in New York City after college.
First I went to NYC, and applied everywhere, but no luck. Then a dad of
a friend from colleged knew someone…and that is how I got an interview
and my first technician job at NYU.
Q:
What's the most rewarding thing about being a Biologist?
Brusslan:
I continue to learn and to share my knowledge.
Q:
Is there an example you can provide that shows how something you've
worked on has positively impacted the world?
Brusslan:
To be honest, the teaching aspect of my job has
the biggest impact on the world. Students come back to me many years
later to thank me for for motivating them.
Q:
Do you spend a fair amount of time traveling?
Brusslan:
Not too bad, about 3-4 times per year.
Q:
Do you have a mentor? Or did you in your college years?
Brusslan:
My post-doc advisor, Elaine Tobin, was a caring
mentor during my post-doc years. Currently, my Department Chair is
helpful. In college, my undergrad research advisor played a mentoring
role, urging me to go to graduate school.
Q:
Do you find yourself working more in a team situation, or more alone?
Brusslan:
I like to work on my own to figure things out, but
I also like to consult with others, so I can't really give an absolute
answer to this question.
Q:
Do you find you are able to balance work with social/family life while
working in your current job?
Brusslan:
Yep, husband and two daughters are a big priority.
I even have some friends who are not scientists and on occasion I read
novels.
Q:
If you had to do it all over again, would you still become a Biologist?
Brusslan:
Yes, Absolutely!!!
Q:
Did you think that school prepared you for the way the work gets done in
the real world?
Brusslan:
School and post-doc were preparation, but
multi-tasking is always a challenge that really is not taught in school.
Q:
Where do you see jobs for Biologists in the future? What should students
be doing to prepare themselves to take on those roles?
Brusslan:
Mathematics….learn computer science!
Q:
What other advice do you have for precollege students?
Brusslan:
Stay strong in math and biology!
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