 Judith
S. Weis
Professor of Biology
Rutgers University
Newark, NJ
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 BA,
Zoology,
Cornell University
MS,
Biology,
New York University
PhD,
Biology, New
York University |
 |
Judith teaches
undergraduate and graduate students, and is also involved with
research and service. |
 |
"Study
hard, get research experience to be sure this is really what interests
you, and women should make sure to find a significant other who will do
an equal share of work at home." |
What
fields of biology do you work in?
Weis:
Marine Biology/Ecotoxicology.
Q:
When did you know you wanted to become a Biologist?
Weis:
When I was in college.
Q:
What was your college experience like?
Weis:
Some good courses, some good research experience,
but too many grade-grubbing pre-meds in the classes.
Q:
Did you incorporate work experiences while you were an undergrad?
Weis:
Yes, I spent the summer between my junior and
senior year doing research at the Woods Hole Oceanographic
Institution in Massachusetts.
Q:
How did you get your first job?
Weis:
I saw the job advertised and applied for it.
Q:
What's the most rewarding thing about being a Biologist?
Weis:
Learning new things about how estuarine organisms function and deal with
pollutants. Spending time having fun and calling it "work."
Q:
Is there an example you can provide that shows how something you've
worked on has positively impacted the world?
Weis:
Our research contributed to the ban on use of TBT
(tributyltin) in antifouling paints for boats and restrictions on using
pressure-treated wood in coastal and marsh environments.
Q:
Do you spend a fair amount of time traveling?
Weis:
Yes – I am on a number of advisory committees to
the federal government (EPA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration) and have frequent trips to Washington and other places
for meetings. I also attend a number of scientific conferences.
Q:
Do you have a mentor? Or did you in your college years?
Weis:
Not really.
Q:
Do you find yourself working more in a team situation, or more alone?
Weis:
More in a team situation with my graduate students
and colleagues.
Q:
Do you find you are able to balance work with social/family life while
working in your current job?
Weis:
It's easy now that the kids are all grown up. It
was manageable when they were younger because my husband did his share
of child care and work at home.
Q:
If you had to do it all over again, would you still become a Biologist?
Weis:
Absolutely!
Q:
Did you think that school prepared you for the way the work gets done in
the real world?
Weis:
The real world has changed quite a bit since I was
in school, so there was no way it could have prepared me well for future
things.
Q:
Where do you see jobs for Biologists in the future? What should students
be doing to prepare themselves to take on those roles?
Weis:
The future is in interdisciplinarity – be prepared
to broaden out your expertise and collaborate with people in different
fields
Q:
What other advice do you have for precollege students?
Weis:
Study hard, get research experience to be sure
this is really what interests you, and women should make sure to find a
significant other who will do an equal share of work at home.
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