All Paths Lead to Biology Vol. 8

Biology is a fairly broad section of science encompassing everything from the study of cells to cladistics as well as conservation and astronomy. Such a vast multitude of majors also entails a similarly large and varied array of pathways leading towards them. All Paths Lead to Biology is a series by the Broke Biologists delving into the stories of how biologists have arrived to where they are and what drives them.

In this volume: Isabelle Ng, pictured inset with Sylvia Earle

“It started from a really young age, my dad has always loved watching Nat Geo, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet - you name it - and it became a pastime we shared together. He was often at work, and our way of spending time together was to sit on the couch and watch TV together, and as we’d watch these channels he’d teach me things while we’re watching - a lot of the things I know today are because of him,” explains Isabelle Ng, “For example, he is the one that taught me about shark-finning, and that is really what kick-started things for me.

I was in about fifth, or sixth grade when he explained to me the issues of shark-finning, and at that point I’d been at banquets and family dinners where it had been served, where I’d eaten it, and I had no idea why it was bad because I was so young. Then one day we watched a show that discussed shark-finning, my dad taught me more about it, and from that point on I vowed I’d never eat it again, and I wanted to push forward that movement. It was really inspiring to see my dad do it too - at family events he’d educate my family on shark-finning, why you shouldn’t eat shark fin soup - it gave me the courage to do it too.”

These early interactions were what pushed the 25-year old biologist from Hong Kong towards a life of environmental advocacy. Following on from her childhood experiences, while in high-school Isabelle got involved in an organization in Hong Kong that sought to educate the public on shark finning and ban the consumption of shark fin soup. Her interest in community engagement led her to start an environmental club for her school, enlisting it as an affiliate branch of Greenpeace and landing an internship with the NGO in the process.

After years spent organizing beach cleanups, protests, coral reef surveys and promoting environmental rights, Isabelle decided to pursue an undergraduate degree that reflected similar values. “I’d been determined to go to the United States and study at Pitzer College in Claremont, California because they are very into environmental sustainability. I went there with the intention of studying Environmental Science, but I met a professor who recommended to go down the biology path and build up the scientific side first, if I still wanted to go into policy I could do that afterward, it was easier to go from science to policy than the other way around - so I majored in Organismal Biology.”

Deciding to intern as a lab assistant during her summers, Isabelle found herself working in labs in Hong Kong and California, studying everything from coral reefs to epidemiology. She would graduate with a double major in Organismal Biology & Environmental Policy and would be offered a position as a field biologist in Singapore shortly thereafter. After a little under two years working, she yearned for more and decided to move to Townsville, Australia in order to undertake a Masters in Marine Biology at James Cook University. Now halfway through the program, she is focusing on finishing her postgraduate degree before moving on - but to where?

“In terms of future plans… I’m clueless,” she says failing to stifle her laughter, “Well, maybe not clueless, I’m hoping that this Masters degree will bring more clarity for what I want to pursue. When I was young, my plan was to do my undergrad, my Masters, my PhD, then become a professor - I was thirteen. Now… well, I really don’t know. I think it is really easy to get sucked into the education realm once you’re exposed to it, but I feel as though there is just so much more I can do in an environment where I get to interact with the public, disseminating scientific information. I just want to find a balance between doing research, doing what I love, studying what I love, and also finding a way to spread that information to the general public,” she pauses for a bit, “I hope something will come along, or maybe I’ll create my dream job, we’ll see.”

(Photo courtesy of Isabelle Ng; This interview was originally published on the Broke Biologists)