In honor of Women’s History Month and our focus on STEM careers, in this edition of the Employee Spotlight we feature Biologist Tonya Dunn. She graduated high school in Oklahoma City and received her M.S. from Oklahoma State University. Here, Tonya tells us what inspired her to pursue a career in science.
Q: How long have you been with the Tulsa District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers?
A: I have been around the Corps since 2004; I started volunteering for Earl Groves in Operations the summer of 2004. In 2005 and 2006 I was a summer hire for Steve Nolen in the Environmental Analysis and Compliance Branch, and then in 2007 I got on the Student Career Experience Program and started working here year-round since. I was converted to full time biologist in June 2011.
Q: What do you love about your job?
A: Absolutely everything. Growing up I loved animals and I knew I wanted to do something with animals and biology. So while my favorite part is working with the endangered species, I enjoying doing all my work as it relates to the Corps’ Environmental Operating Principles and Natural Resource Management.
Q: Do you work with other endangered species other than the least tern?
A: I do, but haven’t gotten to as much as I do with the least terns, yet. I get to go out in the field and conduct surveys for the least terns every summer. I have worked with the Fish and Wildlife Service assessing the river and habitat conditions for endangered mussels on the Kiamichi River; that was a great experience.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a STEM-related career?
A: I have to go back to my love of animals and science. When I was faced with having to support my daughter as a single parent, I decided to go back to school and if I was going to go back to school, I was going to go for my dream. So that’s when I decided I can do this, so I aimed high and I went for it.
Q: Where do you think you would be without the Corp right now?
A: I don’t want to think about it. The Corps has really helped me to better myself. I just know that the sky is the limit for me and I feel the Corps wants to help me get there; my goal is to represent the Corps in the best possible way.
Q: What are your interests outside of the Corps?
A: I love spending time with my daughter and we volunteer together when we can. And I have two little puppies that keep me on my toes as well, I took them to dog agility class for a while, that was a fun activity. And MOVIES, oh, how I love going to the movies.
Q: What are your favorite movies?
A: Anything action! The more action the better; it is probably cliché to be a movie person but I am a total movie person.
Q: What is your favorite animal?
A: I guess it would be horses. Growing up I had a pony for a little while and I just loved him. I am actually taking a mini-vacation this year to Virginia Beach; I heard there are wild horses on the beaches there, so I am very excited to see that.