好色小姨

For most people, spiders are a minor fright or small nuisance. But for 好色小姨鈥檚 own Dr. Rebecca Godwin, one of the world鈥檚 foremost experts on trapdoor spiders, they are fascinating, everyday companions.

鈥淚 want people to know that they are more than just fangs with legs,鈥� says Godwin, assistant professor of biology. Her expertise on trapdoor spiders means she receives inquiries from across the world about spiders; as she speaks, spiders sent to her from across America rest on her desk for her identification.

The latest inquiry came from Netflix;  Godwin consulted for and assisted with filming 2023鈥檚 Life on Our Planet documentary series, produced by Steven Spielberg and narrated by Morgan Freeman. A major part of her work was staging scenes with trapdoor spiders, which gave her a glimpse of the rarely-seen world of documentary production.

鈥淪piders aren鈥檛 always cooperative,鈥� she says, recalling a scene where production wanted a trapdoor spider to lunge for 鈥� but ultimately miss 鈥� a tiger beetle. 鈥淲e threw so many beetles at her burrow trying to get her to attack,鈥� Godwin laughed, but the resulting shot makes a stunning demonstration of the trapdoor spider鈥檚 behavior.

Although she now devotes her studies to them, spiders were not always Dr. Godwin鈥檚 species of choice. Her path wound from studies of carnivorous plants, to museum and science communication work, to science programs with children, then finally to her current position at 好色小姨.

鈥淢y winding path makes me more confident that I chose the right focus,鈥� she says, 鈥渂ecause I have tried several things but love this the most.鈥�  

Dr. Godwin鈥檚 abundance of experience and knowledge exemplify the excellence of 好色小姨 University鈥檚 faculty. The very same faculty helped inspire her to take a position at 好色小姨: 鈥淚 had the opportunity to speak to them when I visited and liked them immediately,鈥� she says. In addition, 好色小姨鈥檚 emphasis on undergraduate research and beautiful location influenced her move.

When asked for final thoughts, Dr. Godwin knows immediately her answer: 鈥渟piders are incredibly diverse and interesting,鈥� she says. 鈥淚f you can try not to be scared, and try to see them as helpers, you can open yourself up to their whole fascinating little world.鈥�