Catherine Dale
Since 2009
BSc (Hons), Biology and BA, English, from Queen's (1999-2003); MSc (Biology) from Dalhousie University (2005-08). In 2009 I started my PhD in Biology at Queen's.
I worked at Dalhousie University's Writing Centre for two years while doing my MSc. I discovered that I really enjoy the one-on-one sessions, particularly working with science students to improve their writing. My background is in English and biology, and I find that often there isn't enough of an emphasis on good writing in the sciences. It's great to have a small part in trying to improve this.
I'm studying bird migration for my PhD and I spend my summers doing fieldwork in the Dominican Republic (which is an interesting adventure for someone who doesn't speak Spanish!). I love to travel and see new places, and have found that biology fieldwork is a great way to do this.
Eventually, I'd like to be a science journalist. At this point, though, my main ambition is to eventually no longer be a student and actually be paid for what I do every day.