Caroline Kanaskie, from Tamaqua, PA, graduated this year with her Natural Resources & Earth Systems Science (NRESS) Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Sciences. Caroline discussed her research and shared what's next for her.
How would you explain your discipline and/or research to a non-scientist?
Caroline Kanaskie: I consider myself a forest entomologist and community ecologist. I study insects (specifically, bark beetles) in forests, and I am interested in the interactions between insects, trees, and other parts of the forest environment.
What do you wish your colleagues/friends/family knew about your work?
Caroline: I want others to know how beautiful insects are! I have spent a lot of time looking at insects under the microscope, and I have come to appreciate all the small intricacies of even the most common insects.
Why is your research important?
Caroline: My work focuses on a beetle that is new to our region. The southern pine beetle is native to North America, but has been found further north in the past decade--and in my research, I found the beetle as far north as Madison, New Hampshire. Large populations of the southern pine beetle can kill trees. Populations are small in most of New England, so we have time to learn about how this beetle might interact with its new environment here.
Have you learned/discovered anything during your research that’s surprised you? If so, what?
Caroline: Finding the southern pine beetle so far north was definitely a surprise!
What do you consider your biggest challenge?
Caroline: Finding balance or harmony among different areas of my life during grad school has been hard. Of course I value my research and teaching, but I also want to stay rooted and involved in my communities and keep moving my body in nature. In order to be a good researcher, teacher, and friend, I need to prioritize my mental and physical health.
What drives you?
Caroline: I am driven by my love for the outdoors. Forests have always been special to me, and I want to steward these natural spaces so others can enjoy them too.
What are you most proud of?
I am proud of how I have grown. Grad school can be a long journey, and I am grateful to have been part of communities here at UNH where I felt supported, and where I could grow into my most authentic self.
Why did you choose UNH?
Caroline: I chose UNH because I was ready for something new. I was interested in the research my advisor was doing, but I had never even been to New Hampshire before I decided to enroll!
What do you plan to do with your degree?
Caroline: I will be teaching: in the fall, I will start an assistant professorship in forestry at the University of Maine at Fort Kent! I loved TAing at UNH so I decided to pursue teaching as a career. The first class I taught at UNH was dendrology, and that will also be one of the courses I teach this fall at UMFK.
Finally, tell us a fun or interesting fact about yourself.
Caroline: During my PhD, I also hiked all 48 of New Hampshire's 4000 footers! Hiking has become one of my favorite outdoor activities since I moved here.
