Meet Caitlin Bloomer, a graduate student in the Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences department at the University of Illinois. Caitlin is passionate about conservation and is currently researching burrowing crayfish at the Illinois Natural History Survey.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
My very first dream job at the age of 4 was to be a bus driver—I guess I wanted a social job? Around the age of 9 I changed my mind to follow a path in biology.
What drew you to your current field of study?
At the moment I'm researching burrowing crayfish native to Missouri. It's a group I've not had the opportunity to work closely with in the past, so having the opportunity to contribute to their conservation is an exciting prospect.
What do you love about your work at PRI?
I love the variety of people from all disciplines you can meet at PRI. The range of work being carried out here is enormous, so there's always an interesting conversation to be had.
How will your work impact future generations?
Hopefully my work will show aspiring biologists that there are interesting studies being conducted for many species and conservation goes beyond just the charismatic megafauna that dominate television. The more interest we can raise in protecting all aspects of our environment the better!
