Kaiah Callahan
Tell us about your work/research. What kinds of things do you do?
I work with environmental DNA (eDNA) metagenomics to explore the biodiversity and species distribution in the deep ocean. At sea, my group will be filtering the ocean water and collecting the filters which contain all the traces of DNA which were floating around in the water where we sampled. When we get back on shore to the lab, I'll be extracting all of that eDNA which will tell us about the many different organisms which were around when and where we took the sample, all without ever having to catch or even see them! This way, we can study both micro and macro-organismal communities in the deep ocean which are difficult to observe and we can trace patterns in where we find them.
What sparked your initial interest in your career?
I chose to study biology and environmental science because I was interested in how living things are responding to our changing environment. In undergrad, I took a class on Earth's climate and was completely fascinated by the intricacies of how the our oceans and the vast richness of life that they contain respond and interact with other global systems. Following that curiosity about marine life and systems has lead me here!
Who influenced you or encouraged you the most?
I am lucky to have an incredibly supportive family who have always encouraged me to follow my passions. Whenever I feel uncertain, lost, or overwhelmed, I know that I can always turn to them for guidance, perspective, motivation and a good laugh.
What element of your work/study do you think is the most fascinating?
I am constantly amazed by the scope of the work that I do. I have worked with samples from river headwaters and now will get to take samples from the deepest trench in our oceans. The breadth of our research allows us to develop a fascinating perspective on life across marine environments.
How did you get involved with the Ocean Exploration Trust?
I work in Dr. Annette Govindarajan's lab which collaborates with OET. I found her lab when I was looking to gain more research experience in marine biology.
What other jobs led you to your current career?
Before coming to WHOI, I hadn't spent as much time as I would have liked doing lab work and had never worked in the field of biology. However, my past jobs included copy editing for my college news paper, editing and translating literature, and tutoring for geology classes, all of which built up my skills at communication and collaboration. Those skills are incredibly useful for almost any career and have served me very well in my current position.
What are your degrees and certifications?
Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Environmental Studies -- Occidental College 2023
What are your hobbies?
I love to spend time outside and when the weather is nice, I enjoy playing rugby with the local club team and recently I have been learning to roller skate! Around the house, I also like to play music with a variety of instruments and I enjoy reading fiction of all genres.
What advice would you give someone who wants to have a career like yours?
Stay curious and stay open for opportunities to learn new things. You never know what topics might catch your interest or what skills you might love to practice until you've given them a try! Also, build and maintain connections with people in various fields. Your network will open doors and support your journey.
