Professor Shawn R. Noren Interview
Sam Kahn
Interviewed on Wednesday, July 31st.
For those who don’t know, Professor Shawn R. Noren is the Marine Mammals professor for clusters 3 and 8. This was a short interview with her about her research and time at COSMOS.
Questions/Answers:
Q: What type of research are you involved in and why does it interest you?
A: The general way you would describe my research is that I am a physiological ecologist. This means that I study how the animal works on the inside, in order to understand how they live within their preferred habitat. What excites me is that by learning how an animal works on the inside I can determine their physiological capacity. They might not be operating at their full potential in their current environment, but that allows them to deal with changes to their habitat. By understanding their limits, I can say that with this perturbation they will be fine, but with this environmental factor they might not make it. A lot of my research has also helped with policy changes regarding the dolphin safe label and tuna purse-seine industry. Something else that was really exciting was my research being used in the walrus species assessment report which was used to determine if the walrus should be listed as an endangered species.
Q: What is the most fascinating discovery you have made through your research?
A: There is one really interesting discovery I made; in the 50’s and 60’s people watched baby dolphins swim in close proximity to their mom in what is called the echelon position. Scientists hypothesized that it probably gives the baby a boost or some kind of draft kind of like a group of bikers. Nobody had ever quantified that effect, and I was the first person to really measure the impact. I video taped the animals actively swimming in that position and digitized their body movements. By examining their swimming kinematics and the movement of the fluke’s position and speed when they were by themselves and with calves we were able to determine their energy savings. We were essentially able to determine that dolphins carry their babies similarly to humans, except they use drafts instead of arms.
Q: What is the coolest thing you have done as a marine biologist?
A: I got to go to Antarctica and live there for around two and a half months. That was a very cool experience I would say.
Q: How long have you been teaching at COSMOS?
A: Since 2002. That was either the second or third year of COSMOS at UCSC, which was probably before most of this year’s students were born.
Q: What is an interesting fact about you?
A: I have two amazing kids. I have been on TV. Someone just made a show about my research. I have been written about in The New York Times, in the Economist, Discovery Channel.
Q: Why do you think that marine mammal physiology is important?
A: We have to understand how an animal works on the inside, so we can see how environmental changes in the future are going to impact their populations.
Q: What is your most memorable instance at COSMOS?
A: One year we had a class that constantly collected quotes from professors without them realizing for the entire four weeks of COSMOS. One day I said something like, “I like Nutella so much I could dive in and eat my way out of the jar.” Of course, at the end of COSMOS these kids came up to me and handed me two full size Costco jars of Nutella. I think they did this for every teacher, they found some quote and gave a gag gift for it.
Q: What advice would you give for someone trying to become a marine biologist?
A: Tenacity. Hard work. Don’t take no for an answer. Don't accept defeat. There’s going to be a lot of no’s, but you need to pick yourself back up and try again.
For those who don’t know, Professor Shawn R. Noren is the Marine Mammals professor for clusters 3 and 8. This was a short interview with her about her research and time at COSMOS.
Questions/Answers:
Q: What type of research are you involved in and why does it interest you?
A: The general way you would describe my research is that I am a physiological ecologist. This means that I study how the animal works on the inside, in order to understand how they live within their preferred habitat. What excites me is that by learning how an animal works on the inside I can determine their physiological capacity. They might not be operating at their full potential in their current environment, but that allows them to deal with changes to their habitat. By understanding their limits, I can say that with this perturbation they will be fine, but with this environmental factor they might not make it. A lot of my research has also helped with policy changes regarding the dolphin safe label and tuna purse-seine industry. Something else that was really exciting was my research being used in the walrus species assessment report which was used to determine if the walrus should be listed as an endangered species.
Q: What is the most fascinating discovery you have made through your research?
A: There is one really interesting discovery I made; in the 50’s and 60’s people watched baby dolphins swim in close proximity to their mom in what is called the echelon position. Scientists hypothesized that it probably gives the baby a boost or some kind of draft kind of like a group of bikers. Nobody had ever quantified that effect, and I was the first person to really measure the impact. I video taped the animals actively swimming in that position and digitized their body movements. By examining their swimming kinematics and the movement of the fluke’s position and speed when they were by themselves and with calves we were able to determine their energy savings. We were essentially able to determine that dolphins carry their babies similarly to humans, except they use drafts instead of arms.
Q: What is the coolest thing you have done as a marine biologist?
A: I got to go to Antarctica and live there for around two and a half months. That was a very cool experience I would say.
Q: How long have you been teaching at COSMOS?
A: Since 2002. That was either the second or third year of COSMOS at UCSC, which was probably before most of this year’s students were born.
Q: What is an interesting fact about you?
A: I have two amazing kids. I have been on TV. Someone just made a show about my research. I have been written about in The New York Times, in the Economist, Discovery Channel.
Q: Why do you think that marine mammal physiology is important?
A: We have to understand how an animal works on the inside, so we can see how environmental changes in the future are going to impact their populations.
Q: What is your most memorable instance at COSMOS?
A: One year we had a class that constantly collected quotes from professors without them realizing for the entire four weeks of COSMOS. One day I said something like, “I like Nutella so much I could dive in and eat my way out of the jar.” Of course, at the end of COSMOS these kids came up to me and handed me two full size Costco jars of Nutella. I think they did this for every teacher, they found some quote and gave a gag gift for it.
Q: What advice would you give for someone trying to become a marine biologist?
A: Tenacity. Hard work. Don’t take no for an answer. Don't accept defeat. There’s going to be a lot of no’s, but you need to pick yourself back up and try again.
Interview with Cluster 8 RAs - Bruno and Mariana
Anika Wadhera (Cluster 8)
What’s your favorite part about COSMOS?
Bruno: I love to just chill with the students.
Mariana: Although academics are important, I like being there for the students as a friend. I want to make sure that they’re having a good time because they need to have fun to relieve stress. And it’s cool seeing everyone go from being shy strangers in the beginning to becoming friends and building strong bonds between each other. I also like hanging out with the other RA’s.
What prompted you to be an RA for COSMOS?
Bruno: I thought it would be interesting to see how the “smart” kids would be paired up and adapt to college life.
Mariana: I decided to be an RA because I wanted to step out of my comfort zone. All of the students came here because they excel and are interested in STEM, and I’m not a STEM major. It also seemed like a cool experience, where I could learn what it’s like being an RA.
What’s the craziest or funniest thing that happened at COSMOS that you can talk about?
Bruno: Last year, someone did stand-up comedy during the talent show, and I was dying of laughter.
Mariana: Once, on the weekend, I thought I counted everyone in my cluster, but someone was still sleeping and missed dinner.
If you could describe your life in a hashtag, what would it be?
Bruno: #chillin’
Mariana: #saucy
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Bruno: Invisibility, so I could do whatever I want wherever I want.
Mariana: I’d like to get ready instantly so I’m never late.
If you had an unlimited supply of something, what would it be?
Bruno: Flamin Hot Limón Cheetos
Mariana: Motivation, so I can accomplish my goals.
If you could visit one person from the past, who would it be?
Bruno: Meeting Nikola Tesla would allow me to learn about how he created electricity.
Mariana: My ancestors could teach me about their struggles, and I could understand how it shaped me.
What’s your least favorite thing about cosmos?
Bruno: It’s too short - it’d be way cooler if it were 2-3 months long.
Mariana: There’s limited time to do fun activities. I wish we could listen to music that the RA’s like.
Bruno: I love to just chill with the students.
Mariana: Although academics are important, I like being there for the students as a friend. I want to make sure that they’re having a good time because they need to have fun to relieve stress. And it’s cool seeing everyone go from being shy strangers in the beginning to becoming friends and building strong bonds between each other. I also like hanging out with the other RA’s.
What prompted you to be an RA for COSMOS?
Bruno: I thought it would be interesting to see how the “smart” kids would be paired up and adapt to college life.
Mariana: I decided to be an RA because I wanted to step out of my comfort zone. All of the students came here because they excel and are interested in STEM, and I’m not a STEM major. It also seemed like a cool experience, where I could learn what it’s like being an RA.
What’s the craziest or funniest thing that happened at COSMOS that you can talk about?
Bruno: Last year, someone did stand-up comedy during the talent show, and I was dying of laughter.
Mariana: Once, on the weekend, I thought I counted everyone in my cluster, but someone was still sleeping and missed dinner.
If you could describe your life in a hashtag, what would it be?
Bruno: #chillin’
Mariana: #saucy
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Bruno: Invisibility, so I could do whatever I want wherever I want.
Mariana: I’d like to get ready instantly so I’m never late.
If you had an unlimited supply of something, what would it be?
Bruno: Flamin Hot Limón Cheetos
Mariana: Motivation, so I can accomplish my goals.
If you could visit one person from the past, who would it be?
Bruno: Meeting Nikola Tesla would allow me to learn about how he created electricity.
Mariana: My ancestors could teach me about their struggles, and I could understand how it shaped me.
What’s your least favorite thing about cosmos?
Bruno: It’s too short - it’d be way cooler if it were 2-3 months long.
Mariana: There’s limited time to do fun activities. I wish we could listen to music that the RA’s like.