Meet Natalie Benoit

Natalie’s research is on eDNA of out-migrating juvenile Pacific salmon. She is holding a juvenile Chinook salmon in this photo., off the north coast of Quadra Island, BC, Canada.

Natalie Benoit graduated with a degree in Honors BSc Natural Resources Conservation, and is currently pursuing a degree in MSc Oceans and Fisheries both from University of British Columbia. In her spare time, Natalie likes to go Running, Skiing, and Biking.

When did your love of STEM begin?

I have always been fascinated by the natural world. Some of my earliest memories are playing out in the forest near my house. However, the moment I decided I wanted to have a career in biology was when I attended a semester school in the Bahamas and saw the connection from classroom to the ocean around me. From then on, my passion for fisheries and conservation has continued to grow.

What is the best part about working in the field of STEM?

I once was told that you will always have more questions at the end of a project than what you started with. I love that for every question you set out to answer, many more doors are opened. As well, the amazing folks you get to collaborate with to solve some of these questions make long days in the lab and/or field very enjoyable.

What advice would you give young women interested in a career in STEM?

If you have an interested in something, try it. I have worked many jobs in forestry, ornithology, and fisheries. The skills you gain in STEM are transferrable and lifelong.