Who I am and what I do
I am a cave research scientist for the U.S. Geological Survey-Southwest Biological
Science Center and I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences
(emphasis: cave extremophile ecology/ remote sensing of caves) at Northern
Arizona University, Flagstaff.
My interest in caves research began in Belize, Central
America while working for the Belize Institute of Archaeology. I
was given the opportunity to conduct an ecological inventory of a
potential tourism cave (for more info (http://www.caves.org/pub/journal/PDF/V67/v67n3-Wynne.pdf)
in west central Belize. I was awestruck by the fragile ecosystem
I encountered. I observed a bat roost containing ¼ million
bats, as well as menagerie of cave-adapted fish, shrimp and crabs,
and cave-dwelling scorpions, tarantulas, millipedes centipedes, and
beetles. Ever since this expedition, I have been worked toward
establishing a career in speleology. I have investigated numerous
caves in Arizona, New Mexico, Belize, and Chile. My research
interests include extremophile cave ecology, sampling strategies
for inventorying cavernicole (cave-dwelling) vertebrates and invertebrates,
nutrient inputs into caves, trophic interactions, niche specialization
of cavernicoles, bat use of caves, and ecological communities within
cave entrances, and detection of caves on Earth and Mars using thermal
remote sensing imagery.
Currently, I am the concept developer and project leader of Phase
1 of the Earth-Mars cave detection program (funded by NASA Exobiology). I
am working with a multidisciplinary team to characterize the thermal
dynamics of caves using a combination of ground-based measurements
and aerial thermography. We have proven the concept; Earth-bound
cave detection will be possible using thermal imaging. We have
collected ground-based thermal imagery at caves in the Atacama Desert
of Chile and in arid regions in northern Arizona and western New
Mexico. We are using these data to characterize the thermal
dynamics of our study sites. Our results will be used to identify
optimal times for detecting these structures using thermal imaging. Additionally,
we are currently interpreting aerial thermal imagery collected in
collaboration with NASA-Goddard and Department of Army Topographic
Engineering Center. Imagery was collected at Cathedral Caverns
and Wupatki National Monument, northern Arizona and El Malpais National
Monument and Bandera Ice Caves, western New Mexico. The techniques
developed through terrestrial cave detection will ultimately be applied
to finding caves on Mars. Our techniques will be used to target
candidate caves for robotic exploration. These robots will
enter these caves and search for evidence of life. We are launching
Phase two of this research, which will involve studying caves in
Antarctica, Australia, Chile, and Iceland. I plan to return
to the Atacama Desert this summer, and will spend our winter working
in Antarctica.
Areas of expertise
My experience and expertise include the following: cave survey and mapping;
technical climbing and caving; bat capture, handling and identification;
cave-dwelling invertebrate sampling, trapping and identification; study design
and sampling of wildlife populations; astrobiology; speleology and speleogenesis;
cave extremophile ecology; interpretation and analysis of remotely sensed
imagery (satellite and aircraft platforms); techniques involved with remotely
sensed imagery capture; microclimatic sampling of caves and thermal remote
sensing of caves on Earth and Mars; orienteering; and, endurance training.
How I first became interested in this profession
Since I was a child, I knew I had the heart of an explorer and I always had
an interest in wildlife. During the summers and weekends of my adolescence,
I would leave early in the morning to explore the woods, ditches and marshes
throughout my south Georgia island home. Often times, I would not return
until well after sunset -- much to the chagrin of my parents. While on my "expeditions," I
studied the land, I learned how to find read animal sign and determine where
certain animals were likely to be found. As a result, I brought home snakes,
frogs, turtles, baby raccoons, as well as a menagerie of wounded wildlife.
Ultimately, my quest for exploration lead me into scientific research, where
I have conducted numerous projects in the fields of archaeology and ecology. My
work in ecology ultimately morphed into caves and through caves I found astrobiology.
What helped prepare me for this job
There are two things which have prepared me for my line of work: (1) academic
training augmented by field experience, and (2) endurance and adventure race
training. I have an M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from Northern
Arizona University (NAU) and a UNESCO/ Cousteau Certificate in Ecotechnie
from the Free University of Brussels. Field experience includes working in
some of the most remote areas in the southwestern United States, as well
as in Belize, Chile, Mexico, Scotland and Belgium. Because working
underground in caves can be quite challenging, I train intensively to maintain
top physical condition, and train multiple events at least once per week.
To date, I have competitively completed the Mt. Taylor Quadrathlon (a 43mi
race from ~4500 to 11,501 feet), Imogene Pass Run (17.1mi run -7810 to 8820
feet through the Imogene Pass of 13,120 feet), Soulstice Trail Run (10.2mi),
Gaspin’ in the Aspen Duathalon (26mi) and a multitude of 10K races. The
combination of academic training, field experience and endurance training
have provided me with the ability to work in the subterranean world.
Role Models
My Grandfather- Judson H. Wynne, Captain Jacques Yves Cousteau, Thomas Jefferson,
and Robert Nesta Marley
My career path
I will complete my Ph.D., and continue my research in cave ecology and extraterrestrial
cave exploration. I also want to be an astronaut. I want to be
a member of the first team to explore a martian cave.
What I like about my job
Because there is so little known about cave-dwelling organisms, biospeleologists
(cave biologists) are constantly making new species discoveries. Perhaps
the most exciting aspect of my job would be making new species discoveries.
From a 2005 survey of 24 caves in Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument
in northwestern Arizona, my team and I have identified at least six new species
and one new genus of cricket (http://dana.ucc.nau.edu/~jjg32/media.htm). Additionally,
working with a team that plans to explore martian caves for extant/extinct
lifeforms is incredibly exciting.
What I don't like about my job
There is very little I don’t like about my job. The only thing
that remotely qualifies as a “dislike” is the constant pursuit
of grant monies. I’ve chosen to work in a highly specialized area
of research, and I also want the latitude to develop my own research questions. As
a result, I constantly write grants to secure funding for my research and arguably
more importantly, to put food on the table.
My advice to anyone interested in this occupation
Science is clearly the most creative and exciting profession (granted – this
is probably a bit biased coming from a scientist). I recommend anyone who is
interested in becoming a scientist to apply him or herself, find the scientific
discipline they love and work hard towards becoming a major contributor to
that discipline. Concomitantly, students and scientists alike should never
forget the importance of living life fully and being happy. School and research
is often very demanding. I know many researchers who chose to bury themselves
in their work and this makes many of them very happy. My personal philosophy
is a happy life comes through mental, physical and spiritual balance. While
I do perceive burying one's nose in books and being armpit deep in experiments
as part of the mental component, it is only part of the equation. I believe
everyone should challenge and push him or herself intellectually and physically,
while pursuing a spiritual totem. Get out there – work hard, explore
the world, explore nature, explore culture, and explore your relationships
with those you encounter. Breathe deeply, acknowledge your breath, and enjoy
and embrace all that life has to offer!
Personal
I also enjoy teaching children and the general public regarding the excitement
and enjoyment I have found through scientific exploration. I find it
vitally important to educate the public regarding the importance of conserving
and properly managing caves and the animals known to inhabit them. I often
lecture at schools and public forums on astrobiology, speleogenesis, and
bat and cave ecology conservation. I am also a musician and play guitar,
harmonica, sing and song write. Since living in Flagstaff, I periodically
play local clubs and festivals.
