About me
Plants have been a main theme in my work and scientific studies. I grew up outside of Winnipeg, Manitoba and earned a B.Sc. in Agriculture (Plant Systems) with Distinction, and a M.Sc. (Plant Science) from the University of Manitoba. My career with invasive plants began when I farmed and released biocontrol beetles for the Manitoba Purple Loosestrife Project and became the coordinator for the nonprofit Invasive Species Council of Manitoba.
In 2008 the opportunity of a lifetime came around, and I found myself moving west to begin a PhD at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Okanagan in Kelowna, BC and the Agriculture Agri-Food Canada Research Centre in Lethbridge, Alberta. I’ve since spent 4 summers in the field and lab in southern Alberta running experiments and collecting data on a rangeland weed, its biocontrol insect, and a native non-target plant. The results are rolling in, and I am expecting to defend my dissertation in early 2014. I am currently looking for job opportunities for the next chapter. To request my cv, please email me at haley.catton at alumni.ubc.ca.
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Apart from ecology, I've been studying karate and music for most of my life. These journeys have been long and winding roads and have taught me more than I ever expected. Mainly I've learned that studying anything deeply is incredibly humbling. Delving into a subject or pursuit raises our awareness of just how much there can be to know. Yet there are often central themes that hold through it all. The world gets both bigger and smaller with detailed study.
The challenge is to recognize and respect complexity without becoming overwhelmed, while identifying and communicating main themes and tendencies. This is easier said than done, but it is a main philosophy under which I teach and explore. What a fascinating process it’s been so far.
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All this education and study happened while developing many wonderful friendships with colleagues around Canada and the world. And of course, while waiting for my Winnipeg Blue Bombers to win a Grey Cup!...22 years and counting now...
In 2008 the opportunity of a lifetime came around, and I found myself moving west to begin a PhD at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Okanagan in Kelowna, BC and the Agriculture Agri-Food Canada Research Centre in Lethbridge, Alberta. I’ve since spent 4 summers in the field and lab in southern Alberta running experiments and collecting data on a rangeland weed, its biocontrol insect, and a native non-target plant. The results are rolling in, and I am expecting to defend my dissertation in early 2014. I am currently looking for job opportunities for the next chapter. To request my cv, please email me at haley.catton at alumni.ubc.ca.
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Apart from ecology, I've been studying karate and music for most of my life. These journeys have been long and winding roads and have taught me more than I ever expected. Mainly I've learned that studying anything deeply is incredibly humbling. Delving into a subject or pursuit raises our awareness of just how much there can be to know. Yet there are often central themes that hold through it all. The world gets both bigger and smaller with detailed study.
The challenge is to recognize and respect complexity without becoming overwhelmed, while identifying and communicating main themes and tendencies. This is easier said than done, but it is a main philosophy under which I teach and explore. What a fascinating process it’s been so far.
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All this education and study happened while developing many wonderful friendships with colleagues around Canada and the world. And of course, while waiting for my Winnipeg Blue Bombers to win a Grey Cup!...22 years and counting now...