Priya Shukla is a 2nd-year PhD student at UC Davis’ Bodega Marine Laboratory where she is studying how climate change is affecting shellfish aquaculture. She received her B.S. in Environmental Science & Management from UC Davis in 2011 and her M.S. in Ecology from San Diego State University in 2015. Inbetween advancing her education, Priya has worked as an environmental consultant, a high school environmental science teacher, a public educator, a policy specialist, and a lab manager. She is currently a National Science Foundation Sustainable Oceans Trainee and a California Sea Grant Graduate Fellow, working with the Hog Island Oyster Company to explore ways to help farmed oysters withstand the effects of temperature-associated diseases in a warmer ocean. Priya is also an avid science communicator — she is currently a Forbes Science contributor where she writes about ocean and climate science. Her website is www.PriyaShukla.com
| 1 | Are you an early bird or night owl?
Early bird |
| 2 | Are you pro- or anti-pun?
Pro-pun |
| 3 | Do you have any pets?
We always had goldfish, got a beagle (that I creatively named ‘Snoopy’) in the 3rd grade. My husband and I now have a cat that is as old as our relationship (almost 12 years old!) |
| 4 | Do you have any science-themed home decor?
Yes, we have a clock that has various formulas in lieu of actual numbers (e.g., instead of the number 4, it says “# of bases in DNA”). |
| 5 | Do you prefer cooking or baking?
Cooking |
| 6 | Do you prefer sweet or savory?
Both |
| 7 | Do you speak any other languages?
Hindi somewhat fluently & Spanish somewhat poorly |
| 8 | If you could switch professions, what would you do?
Professional Television Show / Book Reviewer |
| 9 | If you could switch science fields, what field would you want to work in?
neuroscience, virology |
| 10 | If you got a plane ticket right now, where would it go?
Bali, Indonesia |
| 11 | If you had one superpower, what would it be?
Teleportation |
| 12 | Is there anything you strongly recommend we watch and/or read and/or listen to?
Watch: Wonderstruck from the BBC |
| 13 | It’s your day off. What do you want to do?
I want to read a book, go out and see nature & then grab a bite to eat / a nice frothy beverage at my local watering hole. |
| 14 | What are three things you can’t live without?
My phone, Capsaicin, Books |
| 15 | What beverage gives you life?
Hot coffee |
| 16 | What book did you read in school that positively shaped you?
Mama Day by Gloria Naylor & the Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster |
| 17 | What did you want to be when you grew up?
A biologist |
| 18 | What drives you and keeps you going?
Climate Anxiety & Social Injustice |
| 19 | What got you excited in science?
I have a distinct memory of being in Ms. Brisken’s 7th grade Life Sciences class and learning about gymnosperms and falling in love, scientifically, with conifers. |
| 20 | What excites you about science now?
I am fascinated by the resilience of natural systems. Humans have had such a profound impact on them, and they continue to thrive. |
| 21 | What is a guilty pleasure of yours?
Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies … and the Harry Potter Wizards Unite Niantic Game (a girl can dream she’s a witch, right?!) |
| 22 | What is a secret talent of yours?
I like to think that I have a keen eye for design. |
| 23 | What is your favorite game?
Mario Party |
| 24 | What is the last book you read?
Spillover by David Quammen |
| 25 | What is one of the best pieces of advice you’ve received?
Everything in moderation, even moderation. |
| 26 | What is something you’ve always wanted to try but you’ve been too scared to do?
Cliff diving |
| 27 | What is the best advice for your 18 year old self?
You don’t need to figure out who you are yet, you have a lot of road left ahead of you. |
| 28 | What is the best way to de-stress?
To go on a walk. |
| 29 | What is the last thing you watched?
RuPaul’s Drag Race, All-Stars Season 4 #AllStars4 |
| 30 | What is the weirdest thing you’ve had in your bag?
I once found a partially eaten cookie in my bag. I decided to finish eating it and it wasn’t stale! |
| 31 | What is your favorite animal?
Giraffes |
| 32 | What is your favorite book?
The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert, but also Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban |
| 33 | What is your favorite comfort food?
Dried Mangoes & Baked Hot Cheetoes |
| 34 | What is your favorite day of the year?
The First Day of Summer! |
| 35 | What is your favorite plant?
Rosemary |
| 36 | What is your favorite science fact?
Tardigrades (water bears) are so hardy that they can survive after being exposed to the hostile environment that is outer space. |
| 37 | What is your favorite season?
Winter |
| 38 | What is your favorite smell?
Lavender |
| 39 | What is your favorite sound?
My husband’s voice, and also his laugh. |
| 40 | What is your favorite thing about yourself?
That I am unconditionally tenacious. (I had to ask my husband for help on this one!) |
| 41 | What is your favorite word (in any language)?
Hopefully this is true, but I learned that “Shemomedjamo” is a Georgian word for the experience of being full but continuing to eat something because it’s so tasty! |
| 42 | What is your proudest moment?
When I got into my PhD program & when I started writing for Forbes Science! |
| 43 | What kind of tree would you be?
A redwood — I mature slowly and require a lot of time to figure things out. |
| 44 | What’s the best thing about where you live?
It’s incredibly foliose! |
| 45 | Tell us something we probably don’t know.
Herpes virus is lethal for Pacific Oysters!! |
| 46 | Who would you like to see 46 Questions interview next?
Linh Anh Cat, aka @Microbe_Meows |
46 Questions 