Name: Brad Smith
BYUH employee since… 2013.
My job at BYUH is… an associate professor of biology.
I grew up in… Long Beach, California and Dallas, Texas.
I chose to teach at BYUH because… first, I wanted to teach at a church institution and the idea of learning both academically and spiritually. Second, I recognized the potential of teaching marine biology here in Hawaii, where marine life is easy to access for students. Third, I love the fact I get to teach an international and very diverse student body.
One project I’m currently working on… is monitoring reef ecosystems for environmental DNA. My colleagues and I are working on this to detect the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle. This project is done to either detect invasives early or conduct biomonitoring.
My favorite part about teaching… is seeing that moment when that light bulb “Aha!” goes off in student’s heads—where they make a connection and understand the concept of what we’re discussing in class. I also like learning from them when they make a connection that I didn’t make and apply it to something we learned in class.
What sparked my interest in my field is… my love for tough questions. I was into population genetics, but my interest in pelagic fish and how they migrate from ocean to ocean ignited a question within me “[these fish] are able to move, but they don’t, and why not?” After that, I began doing ocean work and research and never left.
My advice to anyone wanting to pursue a marine biology major or minor is… to seek out opportunities to work with a marine biologist, researcher, or organization that does it. The general idea of marine biology is different for each student. Marine biology isn’t just hands-on work and observation, it’s also about lab work and experimentation.
The next big trip I’m interested in is… going to the Cook Islands.
On Saturday mornings, you’ll find me… either out at my kids’ soccer games or surfing.
My favorite hike on the island is… the Lanikai Pillbox hike, because of its beautiful panoramic views.
I like to collect… lots of DNA, datasets, and great waves.
If I could travel anywhere, I’d go to… some of the more remote Pacific Islands, like Tahiti or even the other non-main islands of Hawaii and its atolls, where it’s just nature, pristine reef, and no people.
During the summer months… I do research and collect more data. When it’s August, I tend to catch up on writing the datasets.
I have always… loved being underwater.
One thing that can instantly make my day better… is someone smiling.
The title of my autobiography would be… “Fish, please”
A show I like to watch during my spare time is… Grand Designs on Amazon Prime.
My go-to comfort food is… a greasy burger.
My all-time favorite quote is… “Just keep swimming.”