Troi Perkins

Background

About Troi Perkins

One day in New Hampshire, I was deep in conversation with a friend while hiking. I immediately stopped mid-sentence and ran up the hill after I heard someone yell "Snake!". I saw a family of five with the dad pointing to a black serpent. I called out as I approached so as not to startle the family. I then carefully picked up the eastern ribbon snake and talked to the family about its natural history. The boy in the family said "Cool!" and ran off while the little girl stared at me, terrified. I asked if she would like to feel the snake to which she shook her head and exclaimed:"NO! It's slimy!". After showing her how to touch the snake properly, she finally overcame her fear by giving the snake a gentle two-finger pet along the tail. With a grin, she said,"It's smooth- not slimy!". She then asked how I knew so much. I told her I was a wildlife biologist or what she might call a scientist. She turned around and proudly announced to her parents that women could be scientists too and that she wanted to become one. From that moment, I realized I wanted to continue working in conservation by combining my research and public outreach skills. I've since been devoting myself to community-based research at a variety of organizations from ecological research at the National Park Service to climate health research with the Northern New England CO-OP of Practice and Community Based Research Network.