Ben Higgins

Much to the chagrin of my parents, I was always the child that came home filthy. From a very young age, I was interested in the natural world around me. Whether it was living or not, I was interested in it. Rocks, insects, birds, trees were all enough stimulation to keep me outside past dusk. But my curiosity and wonder piqued when I spent weekends on the docks where we had our family sailboat. I spent countless hours hanging my head off the side of the docks, looking at the incredible biodiversity that inhabited such a small space. As I spent more time peering into the ocean, my curiosity swelled. This lead to numerous life-changing experiences, such as becoming S.C.U.B.A certified and experiencing a semester abroad in a Natural and Cultural Ecology Program in Cairns, Australia. In Australia, I spent 5 weeks on the Great Barrier Reef at the Lizard Island Research Station, assisting a Ph.D. candidate with her research while conducing an independent study on the nesting behaviors of the White damselfish. This immersion in marine biology and field work captivated me, and set me on my professional path. I earned my M.S. in 2006. My thesis topic was the jaw mechanics, diet, and feeding behavior of the California grunion and their relatives.

October 2014