Working knee-deep in a swamp, in the rain, at midnight might not sound like anyone’s dream job, but it is Jennifer Olker’s job, and it leads her to some interesting experiences.
As an NRRI research fellow in the midst of amphibian research, Olker witnessed a wood frog laying eggs, dragonflies emerge from larval form, unique aquatic critters, and has enjoyed spectacular northern lights.
“I love my job and I really care about the research we do at NRRI,” said Olker. “My research so far has focused on helping wildlife continue to thrive despite human changes to the landscape.”
Her current project is studying the effects of multiple stressors on amphibians in the prairie pothole region—stresses like warming temperatures, agricultural chemicals and invasive species. It involves late mornings in wetlands to find frogs, frog eggs and tadpoles, while also measuring water quality. After a short dinner break, she and her research team often go back to the ponds to conduct night time calling surveys.
And while she really enjoys catching frogs, data analysis is Olker’s specialty.
“I really like that I get outside and collect samples and survey frogs, and also get some office time to interpret the data we collect,” she said. “I get to see all sides of the research.”
Olker has been a researcher at NRRI for five years and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree at the University of Minnesota Duluth. She lives with her husband, Michael, 2-year-old daughter, Willow, two Labrador Retrievers, one noisy cat, one frog and one salamander. She enjoys knitting, hiking, traveling, camping and canoeing.
Jennifer’s favorites: