Ever since primary school, I've been captivated by bugs. Growing up in an isolated suburb without peers my age, I spent my time hunting bugs, feeding and trying to tame them, and creating small shelters for them using toy building blocks. One vivid memory I have, is of picking up a velvet ant, which gave me a nasty sting. My whole arm swelled up, and my mum initially thought it was a snake bite. I had to give an in-depth description of what had bitten me. Fast forward 18 years from that sting, I began my first degree and devoted my Honours year to studying bugs. These creatures make up a significant portion of the world's biodiversity, yet they are often underappreciated, especially where I come from.
Moving to Australia from Zimbabwe for my PhD has deepened my appreciation for this field and its immense potential for citizen science. Invertebrate studies offer a unique opportunity for both scientists and non-scientists to discover new species, as there are more undescribed than described bugs out there. This field is easy to understand because the benefits of invertebrates are intertwined with our daily lives. Invertebrates are not just spineless bugs or creepy crawlies; they are pollinators, bioindicators, decomposers, and ecosystem engineers. I hope my story inspires someone to grab their camera, explore their backyard, and perhaps discover a new, undescribed bug, earning a place in the science hall of fame.
Author: Ashton Goronga
Best Wishes in your studies Ashton
Very inspiring pathway Ashton. Thank you for sharing your story.
Wishing you all the very best in your studies and career!
cheers
T.N.M