Sonja Davidson has always been fascinated by the diversity of animal life inhabiting the planet. Since childhood she has imagined herself in a career related to animals; but college has brought her to paths she could not have envisioned. 

“When I was little I wanted to be a vet or a photographer for National Geographic,” she remembered. “When I got to the University of Minnesota I was pre-vet, and I realized that I wanted something more far-reaching in the environment.”

After talking with advisors, she discovered the field of Fisheries and Wildlife, part of the school of Food, Agriculture and Natural Sciences and decided that it was the right major for the impact she hopes to make. Her classes are based in ecology but combine elements of mathematics. This fusion of fields is used to estimate animal populations, track their growth, and then use this information to produce management plans for future animal generations. This field of study, once unknown to Sonja has ended up being just what she was looking for.

During the winter of 2007 she took advantage of another opportunity and went on a research trip to Thailand. For two weeks she and other students, led by a PhD candidate from the University of Minnesota, conducted research to estimate the population of Sambar deer living in the Thai King National Park, one of the largest wildlife reserves in the world.  Using several different methods, the team was able to make a recommendation to the reserve about which would be the quickest and most precise methods for future population estimations.

Sonja puts her knowledge and passion to work in a variety of ways even while at school. She volunteers at the RAPTOR center on the St. Paul Campus, a world-renowned center involved in ground-breaking research on bird rehabilitation. She also volunteers at an animal rehabilitation center as a dog walker.  Between her other commitments she holds a job at PETCO.

“Ever since I can remember I have been fascinated by animals,” she says. “I have always been in awe of the fact that all these exotic types of animals exist. When I am drowning in work I can watch the BBC series “Planet Earth” and be reminded of what I can do when I am done with school.”

Sonja’s college experience has produced unexpected and exciting experiences. Unafraid of trying something new, she has made the most of the opportunities that have presented themselves.  Challenging herself in and out of the classroom, she keeps finding more ways to achieve her goals.

“If you don’t push yourself how are you going to know how far you are going to get?” she asks. The jungles of Thailand seem to be only the beginning for Sonja.