Mangroves Podcast: Meet the ScientistsMeet Candy Feller and Dennis Whigham, the scientists you heard featured on the Podcast of Life Mangroves episode. We asked them a few questions about their work. Do you have a question you'd like answered? Submit your question here!
Where do you work?Candy: My office and laboratory are at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, Maryland. We are part of the Smithsonian Institution. I do my field work in mangrove forests around the world, including Florida, Belize, Panama, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia. Dennis: I am a Senior Botanist and have conducted plant-related research at the Smithsonian for almost 34 years. What do you study?Candy: I study mangrove forests and the animals that inhabit them. The focus of my research is to determine the influence of nutrient pollution and climate change on mangrove food webs. Dennis: Our lab is currently working on research grants that support projects on orchid-fungal interactions, the ecology of invasive species, the effects of human activities on estuarine ecology in the Chesapeake Bay, the ecology of headwater streams in Alaska that support juvenile salmon, and the ecology of mangroves; most recently starting a new project in Saudi Arabia. What are three titles you would give yourself?Candy: scientist, ecologist, environmentalist Dennis: ecologist, botanist, grandfather extraordinaire What do you like to do when you are not working?Candy: When I am not working, I am gardening or carving. Dennis: I spend a lot of time in nature on foot and on bike. I am an avid exerciser which include jogging up and down an 11 story meteorological tower at SERC. I am an over-the hill sports junkie, love to read, love to travel, and look forward to time with my children and grandchildren. What do you like most about science?Candy: What I most like about my work is discovering new things and solving complex problems. Dennis: The Smithsonian has been an outstanding forum to explore all of the trails that my career as a researcher have taken. The freedom to explore, travel and meet wonderful people all around the world has been a joy and blessing. |
Behind the ScenesMeet our host: Ari Daniel Shapiro
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While earning his PhD in biological oceanography at MIT and The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Ari studied the vocalizations of killer whales. Now he uses his own voice and knowledge to tell stories about science on radio and other media. Ari is the host of podcasts from EOL, and he hopes to turn the podcasts into an ongoing conversation with your feedback and comments. Learn more by visiting