Monday, May 4, 2009

Volunteer, Oregon State University Graduate Goes Where Scientists Typically Fear to Tread

By Joanne Scharer, WillametteLive
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Melissa Austin, Salem born and bred, is passionate about, dedicated to, and busy creating community. Between working as an AmeriCorps volunteer with Marion County Public Works-Environmental Services and volunteering endless hours with various community organizations dedicated to sustainability, Austin has her hands full.

With a degree in forensic chemistry from Western Oregon University and a master’s in microbiology from Oregon State University, Austin’s curiosity about science goes back to 8th grade.

“Science is cool,” she says emphatically, “It’s fascinating to me.”

In high school and college, Austin joined all the clubs that students focusing on science typically joined, Sierra Club, World Wildlife Fund and others. However, being a member of organizations with commendable missions wasn't enough, she wanted to be doing something about it in her community.

After graduating from OSU, Austin worked as a microbiologist for a private engineering firm in Grants Pass until Salem called her back home. Since then she has been altering her career path, finding ways to merge her interest in community building and sustainability with her skills and knowledge as a scientist.

One of Austin’s first involvements upon her to return was with Marion-Polk Food Share community gardens. Before long she was so active in the community with volunteer work, it made sense to take an AmeriCorps position.

Before she began her 11-month position with Marion County, Austin worked with Oregon PeaceWorks to help develop its 5% Solution to the Climate Crisis project and at LifeSource Natural Foods.

Despite having an advanced degree and greater earning potential than an AmeriCorps position provides, Austin has enthusiastically embraced her work as a Multi-Family Waste Reduction Educator with Marion County, focusing on recycling for apartment complexes and other multi-family communities. The opportunity has taught her more about the diversity of people and neighborhoods in Salem and opened her heart in a way that science doesn’t necessarily allow for.

“Being a scientist,” Austin says, “emotions aren’t in that.”

Ultimately, her experiences volunteering have been guiding her to a career path focused on community service with a desire to, as she says, “make more of a difference.”

At this stage, Austin is intrigued with community outreach as it relates to community building and sustainable behaviors.

“I enjoy working with people to create a more connected self-sufficient community,” she explained.

It’s evident in her community action project, a requirement of the AmeriCorps program. Austin organized a course in Salem created by Northwest Earth Institute called “Menu for the Future.”

The course, held from January through March, was open to any one in Salem and provided an opportunity to learn about eating in modern industrial society, emerging food alternatives, and sustainable food systems.

Austin isn’t abandoning her scientific nature, but she’s learning how to use it differently. Austin brings her own perspective to sustainability issues that aren’t always clear cut or easy to understand for the layperson.

“I know science and I know what people are afraid of. I understand where both sides are coming from," she said.

Austin sees diversity and sharing as a key ingredient in real change and community.

“Interaction opens doors,” she said.

Even with a sincere concern for the environment, Austin’s goals go beyond the “greening” of Salem by including community networking.

“That’s what Salem needs,” Austin said. “What’s this network going to look like? I don’t know what it’s going to look like for us in Salem, but I want to be a part of it.”

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