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If you’ve got
a yellow jacket nest on your property, you may
want to pause before calling an exterminator.
A faculty member in the School of Biology is offering
to come remove it for free.
As a molecular geneticist,
Michael Goodisman studies the structure and function
of genes at a molecular level. He’s primarily
interested in social insects — ants, termites,
bees and wasps — and has been using them
in his research to understand how evolutionary
processes affect social systems and how sociality
affects the course of evolution.
Hailing from Syracuse,
New York, Goodisman said he was drawn to genetics
early, enjoying the blend of biology and mathematics
the discipline requires.
His work is informed by
wasps at all stages of development: from egg to
larval to pupa to adult. Here he holds a section
of a nest containing both larvae and pupas, which
spin the white cocoon caps seen at the center.
It is from these cocoons that adults will emerge. |
Full Name: Michael D. Goodisman
Age: 34
Occupation: Assistant Professor in
the School of Biology
Job description: My research focuses
on the causes and consequences of sociality. Members
of my lab use a variety of approaches to understand
behavior, development, evolution and ecology in social
organisms. We use social insects such as ants, bees,
wasps and termites as model systems.
What I find most rewarding about my job: Interacting
with students and the public. I really enjoy going into
the field or the classroom and telling people about
the insects I work on. People are always interested
and receptive to learning about their environment.
What I find most challenging about my job:
Trying to balance all of the responsibilities that go
along with being a professor. Like all faculty members,
I’m desperately trying to teach, work in the lab,
collect field samples, serve on committees, write grants
and publish papers. There must be a way to do it all.
Years at Tech: 1
Education: B.A. in Genetics from Cornell
University; Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of
Georgia; postdoctoral work at James Cook University
in Australia and the University of Arizona
Hobbies: I enjoy sports when I have
time. I try to go the Campus Recreation Center to lift
weights and run on the treadmill a couple of times a
week. The TV sets in the new cardio-machines definitely
help keep me going.
The last book I read for pleasure:
I’ve been reading Sherlock Holmes mysteries just
before going to sleep.
The CD in my stereo right now: I still
like listening to ‘80s music. Give me Queen, Boy
George or the Violent Femmes any day.
Another occupation I’d like to try: Professional
basketball player. Unfortunately, I can’t run,
jump or shoot.
My first paid job: My first job was
cleaning rat cages at a clinical research lab. Shortly
thereafter, I worked in a steel refinery where I sorted
bent nails from straight nails. I think those two jobs
prepared me very well for life in academia.
One place I’ve always wanted to visit:
I must visit the rainforests of South America.
The insects are supposed to be spectacular.
The best advice I ever received: Delegate
tasks to others.
One talent I would most like to have: A
good memory. My memory is terrible. I’d be a lot
more productive if I could keep track of what I was
doing from one moment to the next.
My pet peeve is: Meetings or seminars
that start late.
My day would not be complete without: A
visit to the online sports pages. I like to keep track
of the latest in college football and basketball.
What I most value in my friends: Definitely
a sense of humor. I try not to take my job or myself
too seriously.
My motto: ‘Some people have
excuses and some people have results.’ I was told
this when I was an undergrad and it has stuck with me.
It’s a cold, hard attitude towards accomplishing
tasks, but it helps keep me focused.
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