On July 31, 2019, Timothy (T.J.) Perkins successfully defended his MA thesis “Tracing Pathways and Decomposing Mechanisms in Ecology” to examining committee members C. Kenneth Waters, Megan Delehanty and Marc Ereshefsky.
His work examines a case study from ecology in which scientists employ multiple concepts in an explanation of selenium toxicity. He argues, based on this case, that concepts should be viewed as tools, employed strategically to do work differently in explanations.
“Completing my Master’s degree has honestly been the crowning achievement of my life," says T.J. "I am so incredibly fortunate to have been able to do it at the University of Calgary where there is such a talented and supportive community of professors, staff, and students. I get to continue this academic adventure in Salt Lake City, Utah where I will begin a PhD in August.”
