Today@Dal

Three questions, each answered in 150 words or less. One-Minute Meeting is a quick and easy way to get to know more about your colleagues, new and old. Learn how you can nominate someone at the bottom of this post.

Today's meeting is with Paul Manning, an assistant professor in the Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences on Dalhousie's Agricultural Campus. His research is focused on understanding on the importance of insect biodiversity to the health of agricultural ecosystems.

What’s your favourite thing about working at Dal?

Tough question! My answer changes depending on the day. Today, I'd say that my favourite thing about working at Dal is always learning something new! My job involves a great deal of reading, listening, and engaging in hands-on learning experiences in the lab and field. Students are particularly skilled at finding out interesting things, and graciously share their knowledge in classroom conversations and in assessments. A recent example shared by a student opened my eyes to the existence of "brochosomes." Brochosomes are hydrophobic, highly-architectual structures made by a group insects called leafhoppers. When you look at brochosomes under high magnification, they look similar to geodesic domes. Leafhoppers secrete these tiny structures onto their exoskeleton which keeps their bodies squeaky clean. Keeping clean is crucial if you are a tiny insect that lives on a diet of sugar water! Too cool!
 
What is one daily habit you've adopted that you feel has benefitted you in your work?

Walking to work! My commute to campus (2.2 km) is just right distance for silently chewing on an idea, mapping out the work day, or listening to an audiobook/podcast. I missed my commute to work greatly during the pandemic when so many of us were working from home. Whatever the weather: freezing cold mornings, torrential rains, thick humidity, or piercing winds — a brisk walk across town is perhaps the best way I can think of to start the workday off on the right foot.

Is there a quote that motivates you?

“How we spend our days is of course how we spend our lives. What we do with this hour and that one is what we are doing.” – Annie Dillard, The Writing Life

Now, nominate someone you'd like to see on One-Minute Meeting.

Is there someone at Dal you'd like to know more about? Email today@dal.ca to suggest them for a One-Minute Meeting. Please provide contact information for the person you are nominating and let us know if you are comfortable with them knowing you nominated them (in case they ask). We'll then send the nominee an email seeing if they'd like to participate.

Previously on One-Minute Meeting:
 

Dawn Morrison, Director, Communications and External Relations for the Faculty of Health

Darnelda Renzelli, Administrative Assistant in the Office of the Dean of Libraries of the Killam Library

Michelle Patrick, Student Success Career Advisor, Bissett Student Success Centre and President, Dalhousie Professional & Managerial Group

Wanda Ince, Program Coordinator with the Transition Year Program

Ray Bundy, Utility Service Person with Facilities Management

Vanessa Jackson, Executive Assistant, Dean’s Office, Faculty of Medicine