Anne Nielsen is an Associate Extension Specialist in Entomology at Rutgers–New Brunswick. Courtesy of Anne Nielsen.
Rutgers groundbreaking women researchers are making history and making a difference in the world every day. From serving as mission head for NASA’s next space telescope to creating nanorobots to target disease and studying the survival of orangutans in Borneo – one of our closest living relatives – they are advancing our understanding of the natural and physical world around us.
For Women’s History Month, Rutgers Today asked some of Rutgers acclaimed scientists to share their own history of what inspired them to enter their field. Among them is Anne Nielsen, Associate Extension Specialist in Entomology at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.
Here is her story.
Somewhere in my parent’s house is a childhood video of me explaining the 17-year cicada life cycle to my much less enthused friends. I didn’t know it then, but this was an early insight into what grew into a love of insects (bugs specifically).
I grew up in a family where a passion for science was a thread that bound us together. We lived outdoors as we gardened, hiked and vacationed in national parks. Through these experiences, I gained an appreciation for the natural sciences and was convinced I would spend my adult life as a National Geographic photographer lying in wait for the perfect lion picture. That dream meandered a bit to something a bit more practical as a physical therapist or orthopedic surgeon but I didn’t lose my love of the outdoors.
I was first exposed to entomology while studying biology at Virginia Tech where I assisted in honeybee research. These tiny animals quickly fascinated me with their intricate behaviors and connections. However, it took a three-year break after college before the pull of entomology and the outdoors was too great, and I started a doctoral program at Rutgers with George Hamilton studying the life history of an invasive stink bug species. While my route to becoming a ‘Woman in Science’ wasn’t linear, the culmination of my experiences allowed me to appreciate the opportunities that led me here. Now as an extension specialist and associate professor in Entomology at Rutgers, I can integrate my passion for protecting our natural world through studying sustainable management practices to protect tree fruit from insects.
Anne Nielsen’s story first appeared in a Women’s History Month feature in Rutgers Today.
