Taryn M. Kong
Coming from a non-traditional academic background, I brought with me a variety of research interests that stretch beyond the boundary of ecology. My academic interests focus on the interaction between human and nature, and I pursue them by studying the anthropologic dimension of ecological restoration. My dissertation research explores questions such as how to enhance public participation in restoration projects, how to engage the public in the exploration of their relationship with restored landscape, and how to use restoration as a means to raise the public’s ecological understanding and leading to a more sustainable lifestyle, etc. My past academic researches have been on the applied sciences of rehabilitation in semiarid environments. These researches included experimentation with native plant species and the effects of various seedbed treatments on their establishment. I plan to use my ecology training to enable me to act as a bridge between sciences and the general public in my future career.
Aside from my academic life, I have a variety of personal interests to diversify my learning and to find inspiration for creativity in research ideas. I am an avid global trekker, having solo-backpacked in more than 20 countries. Going hand in hand with my passion for traveling is photography (see my online photo gallery link below) because it reminds me to be observing of my environment and of other humans. For the benefits of having a perspective from above or below the sea level, I paraglide and scuba dive.
