Dare to Imagine: Dr. Linh Anh Cat

Women Lifting Women

My connection with nature inspires me to do what I do. I am lucky to be able to nurture that connection through my job. Seeing the same natural area through the days, seasons, and years reminds me of my responsibility and passion for caring for our ecosystems. Not only do I care about biodiversity, but as an underrepresented scientist, I also aim to do my part in increasing the diversity of NPS scientists.
-Linh Anh Cat

Dr. Cat, what project would you like to highlight?

I am highlighting the intersection of a few smaller projects: non-native Argentine ant survey, fog monitoring, and potential re-introduction of the coastal horned lizard to the park.

Fog rolls over the Cabrillo landscape

Will you tell us a little about that project?

The greatest challenge parks face is adapting to climate change. In San Diego, we will see hotter and drier conditions. One unique aspect of coastal San Diego is the marine layer, or fog, that blankets the coast during the mornings in the summer, when we receive little to no rain. Establishing a fog monitoring system will allow us to understand current fog conditions and may help us predict and respond to future fog conditions since fog is poorly understood in the context of climate change. Additionally, the park used to have a reptile species called the coastal horned lizard before it became locally extinct about a century ago. We would like to re-introduce this species because it is thought to be a climate change "winner" and will do better in the hotter and drier conditions. The coastal horned lizard relies on native ants for its diet. Invasive Argentine ants have been found in the park and like artificial irrigation. The park stopped artificial irrigation 25 years ago, so I found funding to conduct a repeat ant survey to see if re-introducing the coastal horned lizards could be successful. I am working with U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to find coastal horned lizards from other parts of San Diego that will be turned into developments so we can re-locate them to the park.

How did you get to where you are now? What was your path like?

Throughout my educational career, I have debated being more involved with science or working with people. I decided to go straight into a Ph.D. out of my B.S. because Ph.D. programs pay you and master's programs do not. The much lower financial risk was important for me because I know the field of ecology is very competitive (and doesn't pay much). Towards the middle of my Ph.D., I realized you can have jobs that combine and require scientific and inter-personal skills. I then spent significant amounts of time working in non-academic, non-research internship positions to build skills to help me in my career, such as writing for Forbes Science and working in Washington, D.C. in science policy. My inter-personal and technical skills landed me at the National Park Service as Chief of Resources Management & Science at Cabrillo National Monument. I remember being interested in NPS as an undergrad, and someone told me it was not realistic with how competitive the job market is, so I crossed NPS off my list. They were right, but a dream job is possible with both hard work and luck. My path seemed meandering when I was on it, but stopping to look back, everything came together in a job that fits my strengths and interests.

Linh Anh on the rocky intertidal zone in Cabrillo National Monument

What was the hardest part about getting to where you are now? How did you overcome it?

The hardest part was not having role models that looked like me and also realizing that there's no example of the path you should take. I overcame it by being informed, strategic, and at the end of the day, following my instinct on what I thought was the right choice. So far, so good.

What are you most proud of?

Right now, I am most proud of my progress in surfing. One thing myself and others have struggled with in the past is thinking our careers, accomplishments, and achievements are related to our value as people. I practice trying to enjoy surfing even on days where I don't do as well as I hope because the most important thing is having fun.

Favorite Quote?