The Speak Up For Blue Podcast

Stephanie's Career Journey Early Interests and Education: Stephanie Manka, originally known as Stephanie Shuttler, began her academic journey with a major in biology, initially considering a career in medicine as a backup to her interest in acting. She discovered her passion for wildlife biology during a study abroad program in Africa, which opened her eyes to the possibility of a career in wildlife conservation. Academic Path: Stephanie pursued her PhD focusing on forest elephants and animal behavior, utilizing non-invasive genetics for her research. After completing her PhD, she undertook two postdoctoral positions, one of which lasted five years in Raleigh, North Carolina, within the research triangle. Transition to Science Communication: While working at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Stephanie developed a love for science communication, blogging about her experiences and the challenges of the job market in wildlife biology. She realized that her research, while valuable, often went unnoti