The world according to me....

As the saying goes, “the squeaky wheel gets all the grease.” But what about those who go about their business noiselessly? Quiet, unassuming, and brimming with experience, Larisa Avens (seen here with a dogfish) demands little attention. But do not let her quiet demeanor fool you: Larisa has accomplished many things. If you are not familiar with her by now, you will soon see more of her name being bandied around, as her excellent research continues to be published and she expands her research activities. I am lucky that she is based in a NOAA laboratory close by, for she is kind enough to always let me interrupt her workday to ask her opinions, to seek her advice, or simply to pester her for information. And interrupt her I do, almost daily. Larisa has been working on turtles and fisheries in the region for many years, she is a wealth of knowledge, and she has been a guiding light for me in my job since I arrived here almost 7 months ago. Of all the things Larisa has introduced me to so far, my favorite has been going out to check for turtles in the poundnets off of Cedar Island, North Carolina. It is no coincidence that everyone likes her, from local fishermen to the big brass: she is one of those rare examples of a good person who works hard and who always goes out of her way for others. She recently completed her doctorate at UNC, and she will continue to work in the NOAA lab here at least for a while. Of course, I am really happy not only for Larisa, but also for me, since it means I get to learn even more from her.