Paul Johnston, Paleontology

Why did you become a scientist?  What drew you to this field?

I got a summer job with a paleontologist while I was an undergrad in pre-med

What have you been doing in your job most recently? 

Teaching

What kind of research do you do?

I study the evolution of very early animals and the environments they inhabited as revealed in the geologic record

What is the coolest thing about your work/research?

Paleontology takes one to diverse locations around the globe especially mountain ranges and deserts. I have conducted research over much of western Canada, the High Arctic, the Gobi Desert, southern China, the Philippines, Argentina, and the western USA.

What excites you about your work?

The element of discovery--uncovering new species that lived millions of years before humans

What advice would you give to someone thinking of a career in science?

Follow your curiosity. And, don't follow the herd, when picking a career path.