Student Interview with Roger Klocek
Roger Klocek
How long have you worked at the Shedd Aquarium?
35 years
What do you do all day at work?
During the winter, I mostly work on report writing and administrative work. During the summer, I am usually out doing fieldwork in streams in Northern Illinois.
Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois near Midway airport.
What is your favorite rainforest animal? Why?
While I really consider myself an “expert” in fishes and aquatic invertebrates, my favorite rainforest animal is the margay cat. It is about twice the size of a house cat, is covered with leopard –like spots, and though it looks adorable, it is quite ferocious for its size.
Why do you like working at the Shedd?
I like working at the Shedd because the people I work with are all excellent. Also working around the exhibits filled with living animals and plants is very relaxing, and you can observe and learn something new almost every day.
What inspired you to become involved in the rainforest?
Everything in the rainforest seems bigger than life! The trees are gigantic and the forest is extremely lush. There is more of everything in the rainforest, like birds, fish and insects. Everything there seems more colorful, or larger in size than in non-rainforest areas.
What did you want to be when you were little?
I always thought being a doctor, teacher, or fireman would be neat, but I finally settled on being a biologist later on.
What is the coolest fact you know about the rainforest?
There are more species of freshwater stingrays in the Amazon than anywhere else on Earth. The freshwater stingrays are one of the most feared animals in the Amazon, because they are common, and they sting people frequently. The venomous spine in the tail produces a painful wound that can be fatal.
What do you do in your free time?
All my free time is spent with my two 14-year-old kids, but sometimes I can talk them into going for a walk in the forest preserve with me.
What is the best thing about your job?
The best part of my job is being able to survey for fish and invertebrates in Illinois to see how good t or bad the stream health is.
What classes in college did you take to prepare yourself for your job?
Any good college biology curriculum would be fine to get started. You would take three or four core courses, and genetics and evolutionary biology are usually required too. You can pick up electives in invertebrate biology, physiology, anatomy, and molecular biology as you wish. If you live in a coastal state (even around the Great Lakes), you can usually find 3-4 courses in aquatic biology or marine biology too.