Introducing me, Owen Jackson

Greetings all. My name is Owen Jackson; I am a 17 year old British-American living in Tallahassee, Florida. I enjoy hiking, logic puzzles, woodcarving, traveling, thinking, drawing, braiding, problem solving, beekeeping and grammar.

This is one of the better pictures I have taken, of one of my honeybees on a blood orange blossom.

I am also an information sponge, so I love learning everything about anything or anyone. After being introduced to FSU’s Costal and Marine Laboratory by my middle school science teacher, I have been volunteering (and as of this summer, working!) at the FSUCML. I have worked on a variety of projects, from entering data for grad students, to helping doctorate students with field seasons, to being on international research teams, I have spent my summers and breaks volunteering at the marine lab. As of this summer, I began working a full time paid position as a research technician.

This is a picture of some of the benthic meiofauna we study in my research group at the marine lab.

On my Gap year, I am planning on diving into largescale conservation projects to get hands on experience and see all the sides to that kind of work. To get the most of my travels, I am also keeping an eye out for intercultural experiences to widen my views. So far, my specific plans include two conservation programs in Costa Rica, and one conservation program in Andorra. In addition to conservation, I am interested in furthering some of my hobbies, specifically woodcarving and blacksmithing, so I am looking into some folk schools that teach these skill on a professional level. During my Gap year, I am expecting to get a better idea of what field I want to professionally pursue, a more worldly view, a rearranged set of priorities in life, and a better mental state going into freshman year.

Until next time!