Women in Science - Botanical Society of America

Featured Scientist

P. Roxanne Steele (Roxi)
University of Texas at Austin, Plant Biology Graduate Program

It is not every day that a mechanical engineer turns botanist, but it is with great enthusiasm that I am pursuing a Ph.D. in Plant Biology at The University of Texas at Austin. Because I love to both learn and teach, I transformed my interest in nature and science from a hobby into a life-long pursuit of gaining knowledge about the natural world and sharing it with others. I intend to continue this pursuit after I complete my doctoral research by teaching and creating educational materials.

Although I never disliked engineering, I always felt something was just not right. Not long after graduating I began exploring alternate ideas for a career. Over several years I contemplated many different paths such as engineering management, architecture, nature photography, and technical writing. I was working as an engineer, but my free time was spent in the garden, exploring nature, or taking vacations that gave me the opportunity to experience various ecosystems around the world. One summer I took a college class called “Race to Save the Planet”, a course that taught about many environmental issues around the world and about positive programs in place for addressing the problems. I wondered how I could contribute. It was not until I volunteered for an Earthwatch program where I spent two weeks helping scientists in a Costa Rican rainforest that it struck me – I wanted to contribute to the conservation of the world’s ecosystems by studying plants in the rainforest and sharing that education with other scientists and policy makers.

Upcoming Events

Botany 2008 - Women in Science Luncheon, Tuesday, July 29, 2008

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