Jim Berrian is a field entomologist at the San Diego Natural History Museum. His formal title is "field entomologist II" which he took after many years of working at the museum. His help at the museum began 15 years ago when he began volunteering several hours a week. Two years ago, he retired from his position as a biology teacher to work at the museum full time. Jim Berrian specializes in spiders and is often called by victims of spider bites to receive correct information. He is currently working on a biodiversity survey for the Navy.
Daniel: Let's start things off, why entomology?
Jim: Roundabout way, it sort of chose me. It started off with general entomology in college. Honestly I liked herpetology more. I got into this department fifteen years ago after the department closed.
Daniel: Where did you attend college and what was your major?
Jim: I started at Southwestern College then I went to San Diego State University. I majored in zoology but I was studying herpetology. Honestly, I went to reptiles to avoid having to use microscopes, funny I ended up here. After that, I got my teaching credentials at National University.
Daniel: How did you find out what you wanted to major in?
Jim:I knew that I wanted to major in zoology. But, field biology at Southwestern College is what really focused me on organism based biology. There was occasional night time field study where we would learn new techniques. That was a really fun class. After that, I took a reptile class here at the museum. That's how I started off here.
Daniel: When and where did you teach?
Jim: I started teaching in the early 80's. My early assignments were Bonita Vonista and El Cajon Valley. Unspeakable things in middle school. I have always seen myself as a biologist that happened to be teaching. I think too many teachers are the contrary and that's just sad for the students.
Daniel: Why did you stop teaching?
Jim: Oh, that's a long list. Teaching was changing, to summarize it. Biology was drifting from organisms. There was also dumb decisions in administration I couldn't work around. I was also frustrated that I didn't have enough time to research spiders. I wanted to research and not just teach. That's what always puzzled me about teachers not wanting to do real science.
Daniel: Would you ever go back to teach?
Jim: No, I'm done with that. Things drastically need to change if I were to come back. I like active teaching, like you and the other interns. I have no means to return to a classroom.
Daniel: Could you explain Bio Blitz and what is available for the public?
Jim: Bio Blitz is a 24 hour intensive biodiversity survey where we observe and collect specimens. It is always in a specific area. It is open to the public the last 12 hours. There are booths for them to look at. They have a chance to talk to the scientists and ask them questions. They can come up and touch a scientist if they want, haha. Most of the time, the science departments are hidden in the back of the museum, at Bio Blitz we can strut our stuff.
Daniel: What's your favorite part of working here?
Jim: I don't really have a favorite part. I really life both field work and museum work. Sometimes people are just museum people, like my wife and I.
