DISTINCTION
Ha-Rim Cha
Doctoral Student, Marine Biology (Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology)
KU Outstanding International Woman Student, 2004
Maintains the Invertebrate Zoology Collection, Natural History Museum, in conjunction with her international research on biodiversity and biogeography of marine life.
Assists Koreans who move to Lawrence
What led you to your area of study/field of interest?
The diversity of creatures surrounding us and the beauty of dynamic nature have been fascinating motives for my research and career. My professional experiences started from my college years as a docent of the Natural History Museum of Ewha Women’s University, Seoul, Korea. In the docent training period, I had learned so much about nature and its diversity and I was really eager to share the knowledge about the wonderful world – nature -- with children, teachers and classmates. Since then, I keep learning from nature and keep dreaming to share the knowledge that I have.
Who has been influential or had a significant impact on your life?
My mom is – was and will be -- the most influential person in my whole life. She is my role model as a mom, a wife, a daughter, a sister and a professor. Her devotional life to family members and students has impressed me. She loves and has done her best in her work, to her family members, and to students and colleagues. She is the wisdom, peace and love in any place, any time and to thosw with whom she interacts. I truly wish to go after the way of my mother’s life.
My study at KU would not have been possible without my mom’s encouragement and her prayers. She believes in me and is the most supportive person to me. I admire my mother as a mentor, a role model and a professional career woman.
Why do you believe it is important to recognize women for their accomplishments?
The main reason is that the recognition of their accomplishments is the most effective encouragement.
What is your definition of success?
The meaning of “success” is to accomplish the vision of my life. The vision may differ in each person. That may be wealth, career, or one’s reputation. I think there are two conditions to be successful. The first condition is to keep dreaming about one’s vision, and second one is to do one’s best to achieve one’s life goals with honesty.
