Hermary Gonzales makes connections between her culture and wildlife ecology
Hermary Gonzales, who grew up in Pearl City Hawai’i, is graduating this winter with a bachelor’s in wildlife ecology and a certificate in environmental studies. In this Q&A, she explains why she chose wildlife ecology, her experience working as an undergraduate researcher, and her opportunities to bridge her culture and ecology. Her future plans included getting a PhD in wildlife ecology.
Why did you choose your major? What was the most interesting or the coolest thing you learned?
I chose wildlife ecology because I grew up learning about the extinctions of endemic species and the impacts of invasive species back home. I wanted to go into a career that focused on these conservation issues, and I knew that wildlife ecology would give me a strong foundation in understanding these nuanced issues. The coolest thing I learned was how to identify hundreds of animal species in Wisconsin!
What student organizations, groups, and other activities were you involved in?
My passion for ecology and my pride in my Filipino heritage have greatly influenced my activities on campus. Since my sophomore year, I have conducted research in the Peery Lab, where I am currently working on my second project. My work in the lab focuses on assessing methods that can be used to gather information from organisms.
During my sophomore year, I also served as the Cultural Chair of the Filipinx American Student Organization. In this role, I planned Philippine Culture Night, hosted monthly events focused on niche cultural topics, and executed my passion project: Species of the Month—a series of monthly social media posts highlighting native or culturally significant species from the Philippines.
In addition, I’m the secretary of the student chapter of the Ecological Society of America, SEEDS (Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity and Sustainability). SEEDS focuses on strengthening underrepresented students’ interests in the ecology field. We organize various events such as guest presentations on diverse ecological topics and native plant gardening days. My passion for diversity within the field also led me to serve as an undergraduate representative in the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee of the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology (FWE).
Lastly, my time at UW–Madison was supported by the McNair Scholars Program and the Community Environmental Scholars Program. These programs helped me dive deeper into my field and refine my aspirations. I would not be where I am today without their support and guidance over the past two years!
What are your future academic and/or career plans, short-term and long-term?
After graduating, I plan on attending graduate school to obtain a PhD in wildlife ecology! I then hope to either return home to Hawai‘i or move to the West Coast and work on endangered/threatened species research and conservation. Bridging culture and ecology is also something I am passionate about, so I would love to find ways to integrate cultural aspects in wildlife science communication within my career.
What were the most valuable and/or meaningful experiences you had in CALS?
My most meaningful experiences were opportunities that allowed me to grow closer to both my FWE peers and professors. Everyone in the department—and in CALS as a whole—is so passionate about sharing their love for their field. I loved the little moments where we would bond over our excitement for wildlife, such as when we saw lifers during early morning bird hikes in near-freezing temperatures. Making core memories with people who share my passions has been such a privilege.
When you think about your time here as a student, what are you proud of?
One of my proudest achievements was having my first research paper published in my junior year! After working on a project with a graduate student in my lab, Daniel Hofstadter, for a whole year, we were able to publish our manuscript with me as the first author. In this study, we analyzed the use of toe-pad length and body mass in determining the sex of barred owls. This project was my introduction to wildlife research, and I took away many valuable skills from the experience, such as learning how to use R. I’m glad that the project culminated in a tangible product that I can look back on and potentially use in the future.
Do you have any advice you’d like to share with CALS students?
Get comfortable with asking! Send those cold emails to faculty members about opportunities and chat with your TAs after class! This is something that I struggled with at the beginning, but it never hurts to ask questions and advocate for yourself. Everyone in CALS wants to support you and help you succeed as much as they can, so don’t be afraid of going out there and letting them know what you need.
What do you like most about being a CALS student?
One of the best things about being a CALS student is how easy it is to find a community. There are so many student organizations within CALS, so there is definitely at least one for everyone. Peers, TAs, and professors are also extremely supportive and want to be in your corner. Most of my closest friends and mentors are people that I have met within CALS, and I’m extremely grateful for all those connections CALS provided me.
If you had to eat one Babcock ice cream flavor for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
This is a hard question! I would say Blue Moon. I did not know that Blue Moon existed until I came here for college, and the flavor is something that I can’t describe. It’s definitely my go-to sweet treat!
What’s your favorite thing about the city of Madison?
I love how Madison has such a good balance of city and nature! I grew up in an urban neighborhood, but I love being outdoors and seeing wildlife, so I love being in a college town while also having access to the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, the Arboretum, and other outdoor spaces!