Margo Haygood
Margo Haygood, an assistant professor
in the Marine Biology
Research Division (MBRD), exhibited an independent nature while in college
at Harvard by not majoring in biology as everyone had expected. Instead,
she received a liberal arts education in the history of science. But, according
to Haygood, her professors understood her and realized she was another hardcore
scientist.
"I was drawn to research no matter what else I might have explored." Haygood said. She received her Ph.D. in marine biology at Scripps, did her postdoctoral research, then took a position as a scientific officer in the molecular biology program for the Office of Naval Research. She returned to Scripps as an assistant researcher/professor in 1987.
Haygood's work uses cutting-edge biochemical techniques to study the molecular makeup and genetics of bioluminescent marine bacteria, or bacteria capable of producing their own light. According to Haygood, these unique bacteria form "a complex symbiotic relationship with the host fish that is not very well understood." One of the fish that she studies is the flashlight fish, named for the light organs located beneath each eye that serve as homes for bioluminescent bacteria.
Her interest in science came as no surprise to her family. "I was always interested in the natural world. I liked to identify animals and plants." She used to catch everything she could catch, and often had a dozen or more creatures at one time.
The summer following her sophomore year at college, she took a course that introduced her to marine bacteria. According to her, "It opened the microbial world to me and showed me how important it is."
Haygood's research in marine bacteria and her interest in symbiotic relationships between organisms, has "pulled her into the world of fish." But, as a graduate supervisor and professor, she has worked on many different topics, and with a variety of species, including porpoise and anglerfish.
She shares a laboratory and works on collaborative research studies with her husband, Brad Tebo, a Scripps associate research biologist and lecturer.
"There is a great advantage to having someone who really understands what you're working on, what problem your having, and can help you solve it," Haygood explains about working with her husband. Along with a laboratory, they also share the responsibilities of maintaining a home in La Jolla, and raising a daughter.
© 1995