Amy McMillan
Assistant Professor in Biology
Buffalo State College
Buffalo, NY

I am an Assistant Professor in Biology at Buffalo State College, Buffalo, New York. Just before starting this job I worked as a Postdoctoral Associate with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) in both Cincinnati, Ohio and Narragansett, Rhode Island. My research involves population, ecological, and conservation genetics. I study how populations of animals respond to environmental stresses and how populations are connected both in space and in time. For example, the work I did with the EPA involved understanding the genetic effects of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), a nasty chemical that had been used in the electronics industry, on fish populations in New Bedford harbor, Massachusetts. My work now is focused on birds. I am studying the effects of mercury contamination on Common Loons, Belted Kingfishers, and Bald Eagles. Loons are my main focus - I am interested in how loons in different geographical areas are related, how botulism type E poisoning of loons on the Lake Erie is affecting their breeding population in Canada, and developing methods for determining where loons wintering along the coastal waters of the United States are breeding in the summer. I also teach introductory biology, genetics, and population genetics at Buff State.

I am a scientist because I have always wanted to work with nature. I grew up on a fishing resort in northern Minnesota and spent much of my time outdoors canoeing, hiking, camping, fishing, or just sitting on my favorite rock reading. The most exciting part of my career is when I get to be in the field with the animals I am studying. I do genetics so I am mostly a lab person but I have done field work on the Siberian steppe (dwarf hamsters), in the Costa Rica cloud forest (insects), in Wisconsin lakes (insects and fish), along the east coast (fish), in Maine lakes (loons), and a variety of other things. My biggest challenge was to overcome personal insecurity to do the things I most wanted to do. Many of these insecurities came from people who didn't believe in me and who didn't support what I was doing, either emotionally or financially or other ways. I have learned that I, personally, have to be my best advocate and NOT be my worst enemy - this is such an important lesson that I wish I had learned it much younger than I did!!! Do what you desire and work through the difficulties! It is worth it! Good luck on your careers!!