What Darwin Never Saw
Biography
Dr. Elizabeth Wright, Volcanologist
Elizabeth Wright grew up in Kansas with in active family that spent a lot of time outdoors camping and hiking. She attended Oberlin College in Ohio, intending to earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics. Elizabeth enrolled in an Introduction to Geology class for fun. When her professor presented slide shows of various geological features, she was surprised that she recognized so many of the sites (due to her childhood travel experiences). Needless to say, Elizabeth graduated with a double major in Mathematics and Geology.
Later, Elizabeth continued her education in graduate school, completing a Ph.D. at Scripps Institute of Oceanography in La Jolla, California. She wrote her dissertation on the geochemistry of the Samoan volcanic island chain in the Pacific Ocean. In addition to the academic course work, geology students must have the stamina to endure field work in various outdoor climates. For example, as an undergraduate student, Elizabeth completed a summer field camp course on the geology of the British Islands. She remembers sharing a pup tent with a classmate in Scotland with their big concern being how to keep dry! Her career has included numerous travel experiences doing research cruises and field work in places such as Samoa, the Marianas, and the Philippines.
School and work experiences helped Elizabeth develop into the role of "teacher". She was a tutor in high school and a teaching assistant in college. During a field season in Samoa, the Department of Education invited her to work with teachers as a science resource person. Elizabeth was inspired by the incredible things teachers did with limited money and resources. Today, Elizabeth is an Associate Professor at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Illinois. She teaches science courses in geology, oceanography and natural disasters. In addition, she teaches writing courses to encourage students to think and write critically about science and pseudoscience. Her own children have motivated Elizabeth's involvement with teachers in the local school system as a resource and mentor.
Elizabeth is currently on sabbatical (temporary leave) from her job to pursue research opportunities. One project involves using the geochemistry of archaeological artifacts to trace trading routes between cultures from the Pacific Islands. It is very exciting and appealing to her because it is like solving a big puzzle. She is also planning a geological research rafting expedition in the Grand Canyon with a group of women geologists. From all her experience, Elizabeth reminds students that, "There is a lot more variety in science careers than most people are aware of." She emphasizes the need to be "prepared" and advises everyone to get subjects like math and science under your belt so you can have more "options".