Ken Rand learned all about the latest in genetic conservation in fish and wildlife populations in his lab led by Professor Gordon Luikart.
How did you deal with the complex information coming out of the lab?
Within genetics there is a language that must be used to talk about research. When listening in on research discussions or interviewing for a story, it was necessary to ask stupid questions. Learning from the inside about science, taking long breaths to digest — rather than quick peaks — is a good way to understand a dense topic.
What story ideas did you develop from the lab?
One story that I worked on for the Crown Reporting Project about using eDNA to detect invasive species in Montana used the lab’s research as a starting point for further reporting. I found myself in the field reporting with a head start and true understating of the story at hand. The result was a better connection to science and environmental issues.
http://jour.umt.edu/graduate/curriculum/coursework/story%20lab.php