Destiny D.

Background

About Destiny D.

A consummate "idea person" you'll never find me without a notebook and a pen. My particular skill is in finding connections between seemingly disparate ideas to overcome challenges and create something original and long-lasting.I am currently a Plant Science expert at the U.S. Botanic Garden through prestigious Science and Technology Policy Fellowship. Here I forage for ideas in plant research and conservation and weave them together into a strategic plan that lays the foundation for a science program at the Garden. The rest of my job is devoted to technical editing, providing guidance on experiments, working with our science/conservation partners, blogging, and interacting with the public (in person and online) to answer questions and demystify plant science.Before the USBG I was in a lab watching plant cells do their thing. Much of my dissertation work was spent at a microscope studying how plant cells divide and I spent much of my post-doc watching fluorescently-tagged bacteria colonize plant roots (again at the microscope). Some might find hundreds (a thousand?) of hours in a small, dark room dull, but I'm reminded of a quote by Annie Dillard:"Appealing workplaces are to be avoided. One wants a room with no view, so imagination can meet memory in the dark." What a perfect place for ideas. I LOVE research, but I’ve always known that I wasn’t meant for a career *entirely* at the bench. That’s why a common thread throughout my professional life is building connections between science and people. Some of my favorite things I’ve done to complement my research are co-found a science communication group called “Science Says” during graduate school, serve as a communications intern during my postdoc, and collaborate with our Communications Specialist at the U.S. Botanic Garden.As my current position comes to a close I am taking stock of my strengths and professional assets. I am looking for positions that combine my passions for research, improving scientific literacy, and science communication while staying true to what ultimately brings me joy: thinking of new ways to conduct and present science to connect people, solve problems, and create lasting positive impact. Geographically speaking, if there are trees, I’m a happy camper. I wouldn’t hesitate to move for the right position.Feel free to poke around my website for a closer look (and to take a peek at my art and creative writing): connect with me if you think we could work together.