Meet Ric DeSantiago | Scientific Researcher & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ric DeSantiago and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ric, what are you inspired by?
Nature. Whether it’s science or art, the origins of all my creative works are imbedded in some observation of the natural world. Southern California has a huge diversity of ecosystems, from the desert to ocean, rivers to lakes, and mountains all around our concrete jungles. But you don’t need to go very far to find nature, it’s breaking through the cracks on the sidewalk, it’s at the base of the mailbox post, you just have to look closely. Challenge yourself to look at nature on a different scale, find any green space and zoom in. An interaction between a cute little ladybug and some pesky aphids suddenly turns the ladybug into a vicious carnivore tossing aphids into its gullet like popcorn in a movie theater. To me, this observation triggers scientific questions about predator-prey interactions as much as it creates an image of a ladybug on a velvet red couch, digging into a bucket of buttered aphids with one leg and tossing a few into its gaping mouth with the other. Science and art are constantly in a beautiful dance in my head, one step is logical and the other abstract, moving to the beat of nature and inspiring me to create.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My main job is currently in research. I am a PhD Candidate working on understanding ecosystem connectivity through subsidies. In other words, I am trying to understand how an ecosystem, like the ocean, provides nutrients and habitat to the coast and beyond, through seaweeds and other things that washup on the shore. While this profession is where much of my energy is focused, I am also an artist and my primary goal is to merge art and science into one. I use my art as a tool to communicate science by making hypotheses and theories into easily digestible bits. Sometimes it’s a meme on my Instagram (@dahoodscientist) and sometimes a colorful cartoon of an organism in a professional talk—it all depends on who I want to reach. It has not been an easy journey, but it has been incredibly fun!

My entire brand is less about selling a product or a lifestyle and more about showing people that it does not matter who you are, if you choose to be a scientist, you can be! My message is that you don’t have to “change” you can be who you are and still be a good scientist. I don’t care to be a role model, but rather, I am one example of a person who decided to chase a childhood dream and plugged themselves into an unexpected roll. I don’t look like a scientist, I don’t speak like one, dress like one, or even try. I am just me and my brand is about just that.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in San Diego; I am fortunate to live in a place where many visit as a vacation. When my friends come visit it seems like the beach is on the list for multiple days of that week, and it never gets old! I perfect itinerary includes an afternoon walking through Barrio Logan, a place that celebrates Chicanx culture and tells our story in beautiful murals. A stroll through the Tijuana Estuary Reserve, as south as you can go before you’re in Mexico. The itinerary would not be complete without a snorkel session and some tide pooling. And of course—the food! Pho on University Avenue, Tacos in Chula Vista, Sushi on Convoy Street, and a California Burrito literally anywhere in San Diego.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I couldn’t be successful without my family and friends. From mom’s love for plants and animals, to my friends’ quirky humor, and my mentors always pushing me to ask interesting questions and tell my stories in an impactful way, I wouldn’t be successful without all of them. Big shoutout to my advisor, my lab, and all the people who choose to be around me!

Website: dahoodscientist.com

Instagram: dahoodscientist

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ricdesantiago

Twitter: dahoodscientist

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DaHoodScientist

Other: My merchandise can be found at dahoodscientist.com/shop