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Get to Know the Faculty: Dr. Paul Sikkel

05/19/2015

The research of Dr. Paul Sikkel, associate professor of Marine Ecology, has taken him all over the world, including Mexico, Hawaii, Australia, Panama and eastern Caribbean, Guam, the Philippines, and South Africa. Let's learn more about Dr. Sikkel.

Dr. Paul Sikkel with Reggae Artist, Amlak Tafari

Dr. Paul Sikkel with reggae artist Amlak Tafari

Place of birth?
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Why did you choose A-State?
The opportunity to help lead the transition from a regional to a more research-oriented and internationally-recognized institution.
What makes a good professor?
The same things that make a good student – curiosity and passion.
Your philosophy on education in seven words:
Open doors of perception, curiosity and creativity.
Before you retire I want to..
I don’t plan to retire.
What music is playing in your car?
Jimmy Buffett, Live in Anguilla
My favorite motion picture is...
Anchor Man.
The television series I must TiVo...
Sea Hunt.
The last book I read for fun was...
E.O. Wilson – Advice to a Young Scientist
My favorite trip was...
Great Barrier Reef, Australia.
Four people I’d take to coffee...
E.O. Wilson, Neil Young, Jimmy Buffett, Keith Richards.
The best advice I ever received was...
"Do what stokes you."
My passion is...
Life.
My pro sports team is...
Los Angeles Lakers.
My pet peeve is...
Ignorance and close-mindedness.
A perfect day is...
Any day under water on a coral reef.
E-book or hardback?
Hardback
I wish I could...
have gills.
Only my friends know I...
Van Halen used to play outside the gym at my High School.
My favorite saying is...
"Imagination is more important than knowledge" – A. Einstein