David Trader, Executive Officer and Research Biologist at the US Army Center for Environmental Health Research (USACEHR), will be the featured speaker at the FCC Moving Mountains speaker series Wednesday, Jan. 10, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the JBK Theater, Visual & Performing Arts Center.

The monthly series features inspiring professionals who share their life experiences and encourage teens and young adults to set the bar high in all areas of their lives. All sessions are free and open to the public.

During his talk, Trader plans to discuss the importance of taking advantage of opportunities in high school, being flexible and open-minded in the professional world, and listening closely to leaders around you. He also plans to demonstrate the use of a fish biomonitor and explain how all areas of STEM are required in his work.

“High school students have more opportunities now than ever to get involved with clubs and other activities outside of school time,” Trader said. ”It’s important for students to maximize that time and make strategic decisions about experiences that will help in their futures.”

Trader believes it’s good to have a career plan, but also be open minded if new interests or opportunities come up, as they did for him. Throughout his time at Smithsburg High School and McDaniel College, Trader planned to be a doctor until his McDaniel senior capstone project led him to USACEHR. There, he completed a temperature and toxicant study using a fish biomonitor, and was later offered a job at the lab to do fish biomonitoring.

From there, he earned his master’s degree in environmental biology from Hood College and served as research biologist at USACEHR. He is now the USACEHR Executive Officer Research Biologist, Institutional Animal Care and Use Chair, and Tech Transfer Representative. He credits his ability to be a jack-of-all-trades and his commitment to learning from his leaders with helping him reach an executive officer position at the young age of 36.

In addition to Trader, upcoming Moving Mountains speakers include:

• February 21 – Korey Shorb
  Founder, Up & Out Foundation


• March 21 – LTC Brian Moore
  Scientist, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) Lab, Fort Detrick


• April 11 – Noah Grove
  Paralympian, 2017-18 U.S. Hockey National Sled Team member

There is no registration required to attend the Moving Mountains sessions. Students who attend three sessions this year will receive a certificate of participation and leadership.

For more information on the Moving Mountains series, please contact Mike Pritchard by email or 301.846.2417.

Frederick Community College makes every effort to accommodate individuals with disabilities for College-sponsored events and programs. If you have accommodation needs, please call 301.846.2408. To request a sign language interpreter, please call 240.629.7819 or 301.846.2408 (Voice) or email interpreting. Sign language interpreters will not be automatically provided for College-sponsored events without a request for services. To guarantee accommodations, requests must be made at least five workdays in advance of a scheduled event.