Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. is squid crazy, owns the Squidmobile, determined to bridge the gap between scientists and the general public through Skype-A-Scientist, and a resident of Fishtown. She’s also our guest on this episode of The Philly Blunt.
McAnulty wasn’t your normal kid. She found joy in digging in the backyard and observing nature and animals. A National Geographic children’s video, which she rented from the library, featuring the color-changing cephalopod known as a cuttlefish changed her life. From that point on, she decided to study cuttlefish and cephalopods. After graduating high school, she earned a bachelor’s degree in marine biology from Boston University. Now, she’s got a Ph.D. in cellular and molecular biology and she drives the Squidmobile. She once took the Squidmobile on a cross-country Squids Across America Tour.
The Squidmobile is her Toyota Rav4. It is covered in squid drawings, facts, and a number you can text for squid facts. Yes, Sarah personally answers every text.
Sarah is founder of the non-profit Skype-A-Scientist, which seeks to make science more accessible to children and people of color. When school is in session, Skype-A-Scientist pairs scientists from underrepresented groups (women and people of color) with classrooms of a similar background.
Sarah exudes passion and excitement for science and squids throughout this enjoyable interview. It’s fun and informative. You might even think twice before ordering that next order of calamari…nah, probably not.
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