Sarah J. R. Staton - Fulbright Student to Ecuador
Field: Chemistry
Home Institution: Arizona State University
Grant Dates: July 2009 - March 2010
Sarah J. R. Staton scouting new testing locations at Tiputini Biological Station
Swimming through "Protein Soup" in Ecuador
Everyone thought I was the crazy one: looking for chunks of "floating meat" in the forest. I was hunting for minute flakes of the biosphere hanging in the air, but the direct translation of 'protein' in the local language was 'meat.' Even without differences in background and language, my Fulbright research can be slightly confusing and even repulsive to people who speak perfect English. We are all living in a sort of “protein soup,” floating in the air that surrounds us, composed of our skin and hair fragments, as well as insect and plant debris. My dissertation research in chemistry focuses on exploiting this “protein soup” to be able to identify the who or what of where the protein material originated. Through my Fulbright grant, I was able to greatly expand the scope of my research to Ecuador's diverse environments in order to see whether this "protein soup" could be used to study biodiversity without direct wildlife contact. Ecuador was the ideal location for my Fulbright research because one can go from pristine rainforest, to the Andean mountains, to coastal deserts and everything in between - all within one small country.
In addition to being drawn to Ecuador's biological richness, I was enveloped by the warmth, curiosity, and humor of the people I met while living there. Traveling across the country, I was exposed to a broad cross section of people, from urban Quiteños to guides living in Amazon reserves a day away from the closest town. Whether I was learning how to dance Quichua style or being schooled on what different plants are called in five different indigenous languages, knowledge was always readily shared. While I was generally not the first or only American most I encountered had met, I believe that I was probably the first that many had an opportunity to question honestly. I received questions about what the U.S. President is thinking, what New York is like, and what it is like to be a female scientist. Through these conversations, the U.S. became a less ominous and mysterious place. Perceptions about women's conventional roles in society were put into question. The idea that I was a female scientist was challenging to some I met, especially in one community where most women are only educated to a sixth grade level. Working with a few groups on their English skills, they shared their desire to visit the U.S. One friend even intends to pursue graduate training through the Fulbright Foreign Student Program in the U.S. Today, receiving phone calls from a friend who has travelled up a 40-meter tower in the Amazon, just so they could call me, makes me greatly appreciate the strong connection I have with Ecuador.
Beyond collecting samples of airborne proteins, my Fulbright experience also allowed me to explore how conservation and environmental law translates from Spanish to the indigenous Quichuan language, which is generally less influenced by the Western scientific method. In reviewing the legal text, the linguistic and cultural differences gave rise to several laughable moments ("floating meat") but also illuminated some other limitations: directly translating current conservation law for these indigenous communities can be problematic, but is important because of the regular contact they have with "floating proteins" and unique species. Even learning the basics of the Quichuan language, and the differences in how these communities use concrete/real situations rather than abstract/hypothetical ones, will be very valuable for how conservation laws can be effectively adapted for their benefit.
Environmental conservation and understanding biodiversity are important for preserving the health of the planet. It is critical that we do everything we can to empower cultures living in or near vital environments. By exploring new and less invasive methods to determine the amount of biodiversity in real-time, the impact of environmental or human stressors can be better understood and controlled. Chemists generally do not have the opportunity to climb treetops and swim in the Amazon River, or have their equipment attacked by Conga ants. It is important to conduct on-site research to see its challenges first hand, understand the environment and its conditions, the people affected, and what is at stake. By developing new technology in different environments, I have been able to contextualize my Fulbright research while also expanding and refining several other necessary skills including: organizing international field sampling, learning how research is conducted and funded outside of U.S., and how to promote scientific literacy both in Ecuador and U.S. The personal and professional growth I experienced as a result of my Fulbright grant has not only has helped me to develop technology, but my ability to appreciate conservation challenges in a holistic way. I look forward to returning to Ecuador for further sampling.
This story originally appeared in the March 2011 edition of the Fulbright U.S. Student Grantee Newsletter.
To the U.S.-Ecuador Fulbright Program