With two full seasons in front of her,
Catherine Williamson '27 could graduate as the most accomplished student athlete in Siena water polo history. But first, she's trying to figure out why Americans refuse to eat more insects.
Williamson will try almost anything. The marketing major by way of Grahamstown, South Africa loves the piano as much as she loves rock climbing. She's up for almost any outdoor adventure, but also has a passion for reading and writing. However, when it comes to crickets and beetles, Williamson reaches the limits of her own curiosity. Her research this summer with Sinem Atakan, Ph.D., associate professor of marketing, may uncover the root of her insect aversion (something she has in common with most in the Western World).
"I could never be a vegetarian. I love my red meat," says Williamson. "But I've never tried an insect. They have so much protein and their consumption is good for the environment. For sustainability reasons, it would make sense if Americans added them to their diet. It'll be interesting to see what we find out."
In Asia, insects are a popular food group, eaten as snacks sold by street vendors or used as ingredients. This summer, Williamson and Dr. Atakan, as a part of a Summer Scholars research project supported by CURCA, are exploring the cultural divide when it comes to buttery bamboo caterpillars and other leggy delicacies.
"We're in the early stages. Right now I'm conducting a literature review. Then we're going to use this fancy machine to gauge people's reactions to certain questions. It all sounds very science-y. I'm looking forward to trying something new."
The data analysis. Not the bugs. Of course, Williamson is always up for something new. Her interests are so varied, she couldn't choose a major. When her dad suggested marketing, she asked, "What even is that?" She's happy with her choice, and she's happy with the sport she chose as well. Like everything else in her life, there were options.
"I'm the youngest of four sisters and we're all really competitive. I picked up water polo when one of my sisters started playing. I was already a swimmer, and I realized water polo is a lot of swimming, but with a ball and tackling. I was hooked."
Williamson also excelled at field hockey and netball, among other sports, but gave them up for water polo and represented South Africa at the under 18 World Championships (below, right). Siena was the first American college to recruit her. She accepted the scholarship sight unseen.
"I had never left South Africa except to compete at the World Championships in Serbia. I didn't know Albany existed until I heard from the coach. I decided this could be my door to America, so I went for it."
Williamson scored 92 goals this season, one shy of Siena's single season record. Last year's MAAC Rookie of the Year is on pace to shatter Siena's all-time goals record and believes Siena water polo could be building to its best season ever. It's winter in South Africa right now, and if she went home like she did a year ago, she'd be stuck in her "perpetual winter." So instead, she's spending the summer on campus as a community assistant, researching insect cuisine, and working out in and out of the pool. There likely isn't anyone else in the world spending their summer quite like Williamson. And she's loving it.
"I still don't really know what I want to do with my life, but I'm just having fun finding joy in everything."
