suavejuno

[suavejuno]

Chasing Tides, Juno Matheson.

Becoming a zoologist wasn’t exactly my childhood dream, but my love for biology set me on this path. Hey there, I'm Juno Matheson, and I specialize in marine fauna, which basically means I get to work with some pretty amazing ocean creatures.

I took the fast track in high school to graduate early, which was a bit of a whirlwind but totally worth it. By the time I was 19, I graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle, majoring in Aquatic and Fishery Science. My curiosity about marine life was sparked there, and I found myself completely captivated by the ocean’s mysteries. It all became real when I landed an internship at a marine wildlife center and was introduced to sea lions. Watching those powerful, intelligent animals up close and learning about their behavior lit a fire in me that pulled me deeper into the world of zoology.

Working with sea lions was both exhilarating and challenging. They’re complex creatures with intricate social dynamics that took time to understand. Each day was a lesson in patience as I figured out how to earn their trust and help keep them engaged. It wasn’t just about feeding or training them; it was about truly getting to know them—understanding their communication and social behaviors fascinated me endlessly. That experience confirmed for me that I had found my passion in studying animals.

After a few years, a fantastic opportunity came my way to work with sea otters at the zoo. I couldn’t pass it up! Sea otters are playful and play such a crucial role in marine ecosystems, and I knew this would be a new and exciting challenge. Nowadays, my days are spent researching their behaviors and understanding their role in preserving kelp forests. Each moment with them feels like unlocking a new mystery of the ocean. It’s wild to think about how far I’ve come from those early biology classes. Now at 20, I’m eager to soak up more knowledge. My next goal is to dive deeper into aquatic science and eventually pursue a Master of Science degree so I can officially call myself a scientist while still enjoying myself working at the zoo with my sea otters. If I have the opportunity to work with other animals, I would gladly take the offer to broaden my knowledge.