Torsten Dikow:
My name is Torsten Dikow, and I'm an insect researcher at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. My research focuses on discovering species of flies in places around the world. What I like about my work is the excitement of discovering a new species that has not been scientifically studied by others previously. Being able to go to the field to observe, photograph, and collect flies in a natural environment, and then establishing that they represent a new species is exhilarating. As a taxonomist, a person who studies how organisms are named and classified, I'm constantly learning new things about species that have been collected a long time ago by others, or recently by myself.
One major part of my work is studying flies here at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and in other museums around the world. I identify the species the flies represent, and capture data such as when and where they were collected. I then organize the collection and develop research projects. I also work in the field, which means I go into nature- and lately I've been going to deserts- to collect and study flies back at the museum. Sharing these scientific observations and findings makes meaningful and insightful contributions, helping to understand the biological diversity, or biodiversity on Earth. These discoveries and constantly learning something new are what motivates me.
Most important skills in my job are to be organized, detail oriented, and imaginative. Scientific research and working in insect collections demands a lot of skills and knowledge, but it's also fun and enjoyable to learn something new every day. By being organized and detail oriented, you can stay on top of the work more easily. And being creative and imaginative can help you solve problems and reaching the goal.
When I was a kid, I was interested in nature in general. Being outside and enjoying the varied landscapes near where I grew up. I brought nature books from the local library and I had a collection of cacti at home. And I liked to read about these species to learn where they've from and how they grow in the natural environment. When I was in high school, I joined the local insect club, and I learned about insect collections. From that time onward, I thought maybe, I can do science every day for a living, like curators in museums. Some of the courses one has to take as a biology student at college aren't the most fun. They don't really seem to fit with what one is really interested in. And I didn't always get the best grades in some of these. However, as a scientist on biology, one has to have a comprehensive understanding of how the natural world works around us, including physics and chemistry, for example. One has to push through those times and do the best one can in order to achieve the goal of doing science every day as a researcher.
I had the opportunity to study insects in South Africa for a year during college, working with one of the best fly scientists. Before that, I didn't really picture myself as a scientist, but the experience at a small natural history museum in South Africa was very special. I learned a lot of what I like to do and how to do it. And I loved the idea of being a field biologist, who goes out to nature and search flies and brings them back to study them at a museum. It was that experience that helped me to see myself as a scientist and doing science as a career one day.
One thing scientists don't talk about enough is how other scientists and experts help them to get where they are today. Supporting young scientists is one of my main concerns, and I enjoy having the opportunity to do so at the Smithsonian. My advice to students is that anyone can do science. There are so many fields of science to choose from that there ought to be something out that interests you. Many researchers study phenomena that makes life better for people. Others, such as we at a natural history museum, conduct foundational research that tries to explain how the diversity of life and the complexities of evolution function.
While my research does not directly impact human life, it is important, as it helps to understand the world around us and examines how lesser known organisms- in my case flies- have evolved over millions of years. And you can do science, but don't have to do science as a career when you grow up. One thing I tell interns who work with me is that they can learn skills in museum collections that they can use in many other fields, and even at home. Science can help you hone skills that you can use everywhere, like critical thinking, asking good questions, and solving problems.
