Rebecca Lybrand '07 is committed to science education and outreach. A biology major while at Whittier College, she went on to earn her Ph.D. from the University of Arizona in soil, water and environmental science, and completed several fellowships focused on improving her science communication skills.
She is now creating engaging short videos as part of the Outreach Fellowship: Climate Assessment of the Southwest, a fellowship program focused on communicating soil and climate science to broader audiences on social media.
Lybrand shares the top three things she learned as a science student at Whittier:
1. Talk with your professors! Whittier's faculty are available and willing to help you whether they are offering advice on graduate school, giving you hands-on experience in a research lab, introducing you to concepts in the field, or talking with you about future career possibilities. Whittier's professors are approachable and supportive, making it easy to gain research experience in an excellent environment.
2. Be resourceful! Whittier is a small campus, but it does not mean that you cannot get out there and gain real-life experience. The professors I interacted with at Whittier encouraged me to reach out and contact people I may be interested in working with. This led to me completing a summer internship through San Diego State University's School of Public Health where I was first introduced to sampling soil and water for chemical analysis. I worked with the Herpetology Departments at both the San Diego Natural History Museum and the Los Angeles Natural History Museum during my time at Whittier. There were also countless opportunities to gain professional experience on campus including colloquiums and working with Whittier's Career Center.
3. Interdisciplinary communication is important! Whittier's curriculum requirements confirm this concept by giving students the opportunity to take courses through many departments on campus. I enjoyed combining my science coursework with other classes focused on creative writing, surrealism, and other cultures. In fact, two of the professors who were most supportive of my career were Fred Bergerson, professor of Political Science, and Laura McEnaney, professor of American History. Both encouraged me to pursue a career that integrated at least some form of science communication and outreach before I had even strongly considered it myself. I also credit Stephen Goldberg, professor of Biology, with my strong interest in herpetology and my appreciation for reptiles. I am grateful for my education at Whittier College!
