Welcome to Meet CES, where we get to meet the people behind the Center for Ecosystem Sentinels. In this first post we are meeting one of the newest members of the team, Marie-Pier Poulin. She received her BS in Biology from the Université du Québec in Rimouski in 2019, where she tracked arctic foxes in the Canadian tundra for her undergraduate research. She then completed her MS in 2022 at the University of Wyoming, studying the influence of forage availability and sociality on road crossing behavior in elk.
What inspired you to pursue graduate studies in ecology?
I have always been very curious about the natural world and passionate about wildlife, so becoming a wildlife biologist felt like the right path from an early age. I got my first field job at 19—conducting photo-identification of whales in the St. Lawrence—and I was hooked! During college, I realized that asking scientific questions and investigating patterns in nature was really exciting to me. This passion led me to pursue a MSc and now a PhD.
How do you stay organized? Do you have a digital setup, or do you keep a paper notebook?
I’m old school—I love my paper planner! I use it for everything: to-do lists (which turn into “done” lists), research ideas, deadlines, and big events like conferences. I also make sure to schedule time for fun activities like skiing and biking. Having it on paper helps me stay organized without more screen time.
Photo credit: Marie-Pier Poulin
Describe a memorable field work moment from Botswana
Sunrises in Botswana are truly magical. I loved being out early, looking for wildlife as the sky turned pink. One morning, while trying to capture footage of African wild dogs feeding to validate accelerometry data from GPS collars, we found a pack stalking a group of sable antelope. Dust filled the air as the antelopes stood their ground. The scene felt almost unreal, with golden light filtering through the haze. Ultimately, the dogs moved on, probably when they realized that the sable antelope would not let them have an easy meal.
Lots of Seattlites enjoy exploring the outdoors, and I know you do too! Have you been able to explore the great outdoors of WA State, and if so – how is it different from where you’ve lived before?
I’ve been lucky to explore the outdoors around Seattle, and I love it! Mountain biking here has been a fun challenge—I’m still getting used to the slick, wet roots. I also love spending time on the beaches and mossy forests of the Olympic Peninsula. Compared to Wyoming, where I lived before moving to WA, there’s so much more moisture and water (and a lot less wind!), which makes for a different but exciting outdoor experience.
Coffee or tea?
I love coffee, and I usually take it black. In the evenings, I like to wind down with a cup of chamomile tea. Coffee by day, herbal tea by night!
Do you want to hear more about Marie-Pier’s time in Botswana, and what her go-to field tool is? You can find it in our most recent quarterly newsletter. Be sure to sign up so you can receive all of our updates.
