I have always loved the ocean. When most children wanted to be astronauts and firemen, I already knew I wanted to be marine biologist. When I was very young, the highlight of beach vacations to Cape Cod and New Hampshire was getting my grey, five gallon bucket and collecting as many animals as I could from the rocks and tidepools. Through middle and high school, my interests remained in the sciences, but shifted to molecular and evolutionary biology. I went to undergrad at the University of Delaware and graduated with a BS in biology, and a history minor. Following that, I was undecided about continuing in academia or getting a job in industry. As a compromise I enrolled in an accelerated, one year masters in Applied Molecular Biology at UMBC. For the research portion of this degree I jumped at the opportunity to work on mantis shrimp. Thus, I inadvertently landed in a fortuitous synthesis of my intrinsic love of marine biology and my more recent interest in molecules and evolution. After the MS, I transferred to the PhD program, where I currently reside.
On the hunt for mantis shrimp.
I started Arthropoda at the end of 2009 in order to foster my science writing skills as well as to provide a medium for interaction with like minded science enthusiasts. I feel that the appreciation of science should be a social endeavor, and blogging seems to be a powerful medium to that end. I also hope that Arthropoda can appeal to those who have yet to realize how awesome science is. It would be incredible if I can bring new people into the wonderful world of science.
Thank you for your information on circularly polarized light (CPL). Im a naturalist tour Guide in Costa Rica and Im taking a special course on natural interpretation with a very important segment about arthropoda. Im fascinated about the Chrysina and studing about them here in Costa Rica. Regards
Rocio
I appreciate the kind words Rocio. I’m glad my writing is helpful in educating people. I was lucky enough to visit Costa Rica some years ago; it is a gorgeous place and I hope I can return someday.
Thank you for this wonderful (beautiful) website! I am a teacher who is currently homeschooling my daughter and teaching her science, which is so much fun, even though that isn’t my field (history and art are).
We were observing some larvae we found in sitting water outside and I wanted to find out what the species was, though I was certain it was mosquito. Through the compound microscope we could see protozoa in its gut. Gross! but cool. The less powerful binocular microscope let us watch how it moved and it moved right off the glass! Eeek!
Your site is a boon to any teacher or student of biology, as well as specialists in your field.
Thanks Pauline. I appreciate the kind words.
Good call on using the microscope in your teaching. I always loved checking things out with my portable scope when I was young.
Dear Dr. Bok
Dude, keep up the good work. I did undergrad @ Millersville U in PA, I got to care for cuttlefish and octopuses and watch some of the interesting work done with them. I found you, as I’m now in optometry school in Puerto Rico & looking for a 4th year paper topic (vision oriented), when I ran across “Arthropoda”. BTW I love the Wheeee picture. Stay reckless.
Sincerely,
Russ Neal
Michael,
It would be an honor if you would post an occassional blog on PrintedScholar or post your research.
Katy O’Kelley
http://www.printedscholar.com
Hi Michael,
Thank you for creating this website and informing us about your research. I find the mantis shrimp to be extremely fascinating as well, and as you would probably expect, because of it’s complex eyes and visual system. I’d love to learn about the mantis shrimp’s vision in greater detail if you would ever had the time to discuss/explain. Please email me when you have the chance.
Thank you,
Ken