Environmental Biologist + Founder Helps the Natural World

Name: Silvia Pineda-Munoz (she/her)

PhD: Ecology and Paleontology, Macquarie University, 2016

What was your main area of research?

My PhD was "Diet, Ecology, and Dental Morphology in Terrestrial Mammals." I explored the relationship between form, function, and evolution in mammal dentitions and found that evolutionary background and environmental change may prevent some species from evolving the most "efficient" dentitions.

For my postdoc, I explored whether modern mammal species occupy the niches that they used to occupy before major human expansion and found out that smaller mammals are being facilitated outside of their niches. At the same time, the most charismatic megafauna is being displaced to the edges of their preferred or best-suited niches.

What is your current job?

I'm an Environmental Biologist for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Founder of Climate Ages, which helps bridge science with non-technical audiences while empowering academics to land impact-driven, purposeful careers beyond academia.

For my main job, I write environmental assessments in compliance with NEPA (National Environmental Protection Act) for hydropower projects in the Mid-Atlantic region. My responsibilities include performing impact analyses and addressing the needs of nature as much as private and public stakeholders, NGOs, and the public.

For Climate Ages, I write long-form content communicating the behind-the-scenes of the scientific method to non-technical audiences and meet with academics who are navigating a career transition and need support in understanding and addressing this transition.

My favorite thing is knowing that I can help ensure that projects are built and licensed, considering the needs of endangered and protected species and ecosystems. Additionally, I can use my science expertise to help others.

From Climate Ages, I love that I'm assisting non-scientific audiences better in understanding environmental issues like climate change and biodiversity loss and helping other academics find a purposeful path.

How did you find this position? What were the career steps you took to get to where you are now?

I found these positions through the USA Jobs portal and LinkedIn.

PhD Graduate ➡️ postdoctoral fellow (x2) ➡️ Visiting Assistant Professor ➡️ Grant Writer for a Non-Profit ➡️ Environmental Biologist in the Public sector + Entrepreneur

Why did you decide to not pursue a career in academia?

I always knew I wanted to dedicate my life to the natural world. I dreamed of making a difference.

For a long time, I didn't ask what was next; the path was there for me: If I wanted to do science, I needed to do a PhD. It was actually very natural and organic, and I never questioned whether that was something I wanted/had to do.

Even if not an academic, I still love science and analyses, and I stay active however way I can.

What advice do you have for someone getting their PhD and looking to pursue a career outside of academia?

I didn't feel unsupported in the sense that those I cared about most supported my decision. However, they didn't know how to help me, and finding resources was hard for me. That's why I started Climate Ages.
The main advice is to take some time to understand how your academic skills translate to the non-academic world and find a mentor who can listen to your ideas and reasoning. I even wrote a course about the topic, which is on my website.
I networked as much as I could, and I found relevant certifications and courses (i.e. Environmental Policy and Law)
1. Honestly, I just emailed them and established a conversation. I started by congratulating them on their journey and then asked questions once trust was built. I approached it as making friends with the same values/interests.
LinkedIn was crucial, but I also relied on online blogs from people taking similar journeys.
1. Stay active on LinkedIn and reach out to anyone whose message resonated with you. We are always happy to talk

Are there any components of your identity you would like to share, including how they have impacted your journey?

I'm a European expat with an accent. I moved to Australia for my PhD and then to the US, where I still live, for my postdoc. Navigating cultural differences was and will always be hard for me.

Becoming a mother was the last life change that made me decide to give another career a go. I wanted to be able to decide where I lived, and I didn't have the hours that academic careers usually require.