What is your role at emLab?
I am the Director of the Ocean & Fisheries program.
What is your personal story behind why you do what you do?
I spent most of my childhood outside climbing trees, digging in the dirt, and tracking all kinds of critters. Protecting natural spaces has always been personal for me, and I’ve been very intentional in pursuing a career that builds on this innate passion.
What aspect of your work are you most proud of?
I am a first-generation college student, and it has been a long journey to get where I am. I tend to feel more gratitude than pride in my work. It is an incredible privilege to spend my time on questions that matter, with such outstanding partners and collaborators.
In one word, how do you work?
Strategically. There are many interesting problems I could work on, but everything comes with opportunity costs. Because we only have so much time, I try to focus on projects with the greatest potential for impact.
What research question are you most excited to tackle next?
I’m excited about what new policy interventions are now becoming possible thanks to rapid technological advances. For example, we’re approaching a point where nearly every vessel in the global ocean can be tracked in near real time using satellites. As bad behavior becomes harder to hide, the big question is: can we use these datasets to design market incentives that reward good behavior, instead of just punishing bad behavior?
What do you think makes emLab unique?
There are two things that are really special about emLab for me. The first is the people. This group is unbelievably capable, enthusiastic, and collaborative. It is so energizing to be a part of this community. The second is emLab’s effectiveness at driving change. emLab does outstanding science and makes the world a better place. It’s not either/or; it’s both. That combination is rare and makes the work more meaningful.
What kind of impact do you hope your work at emLab has on the world?
Ultimately, my goal is to figure out which environmental policies work, which ones don’t, and how we can make the economy work better for both people and nature. Often, policy success or failure comes down to incentives, and that’s exactly what we’re studying here.
What is your vision for emLab over the next 5 years?
My vision is that emLab will continue to be a leader in driving change in the world. To do that, we’ll have to continue investing in great people and in meaningful partnerships.
RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS
What are 5 things you couldn’t live without?
Deep connections with other people, time outdoors, and a good pair of binoculars.
What could you present about for 40-minutes with absolutely no preparation?
How to identify the birds of North America. I love birding, and it’s always exciting for me to help people understand what they’re seeing.
If you could go to the past or the future as an observer, which would you choose and why?
If I get to bring what I’ve learned back to the present, then definitely the future. It’s hard to imagine a more powerful force for good than seeing what worked, what didn’t, and how we could do better.
If you could be any animal, what would it be and why?
This is a tough one, but I’ll say dolphin. They are clever, have deep social bonds, and get to roam some of the most beautiful places on Earth. Plus, they sure seem to have a lot of fun surfing the waves.
What advice do you wish you received early in your career?
Don’t be afraid to say no. If you try to do too much, then you’ll likely be less effective at everything.
Learn more about Jen, beyond this spotlight, in her emLab bio.
