• Question: why should i vote for you

    Asked by the best likes bats to Jonathan, Kevin, Melissa on 5 May 2016.
    • Photo: Jonathan Jackson

      Jonathan Jackson answered on 5 May 2016:


      Hi Best Likes Bats,

      I know this is a competition among five scientists, now down to three. But I can’t tell you how to vote. All I want from this competition is to inspire you to be excited about science and research and experiments. If I do that, then please vote for me. If Melissa or Kevin do science that you find more interesting, then please vote for them. All that matters to me is that we make science fun and within reach for everyone, especially people who don’t usually have a chance to see science in action.

    • Photo: Kevin Baker

      Kevin Baker answered on 5 May 2016:


      I agree with Jonathan, you should vote for the person that you like the most. You should also vote for the person that best answers your question and the person that you find overall interesting!

    • Photo: Melissa Wilson Sayres

      Melissa Wilson Sayres answered on 5 May 2016:


      What a great question! I totally agree with what Jonathan and Kevin said.

      But, unfortunately science is actually not so different from this competition. To continue to fund my research, I have to convince funding agencies (the government, private foundations or even citizen crowd-funders) that not only is my science worth funding, but that I am the best person to do it.

      So, let’s think about this competition…

      We are here to talk about our science, and life as a scientist. So, have I done a good job?

      1) I have participated in every single chat that I was available for (I missed today because I had to give a final exam to my students from 7:30am-9:20am, then work on final grades, especially for my students who need to know if they will be graduating this semester or not).

      2) I have answered every question asked of me in the “ASK” as truthfully as I can and without over-selling what I know.

      3) I have been honest about my family life, how much time I spend at work, at home, and what I do outside of research.

      4) I have been active in science outreach for more than 12 years, including doing hands-on activities with all age groups (1st grade through retirement), created materials that teachers can use in their own classes, and made videos to share fun science (exhibit A: mtDNA – https://youtu.be/AL7dX5E3GuU ; exhibit B: banana DNA extraction – https://youtu.be/pdDP9OcqcbA )

      I guess, you all will tell us. 🙂

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