EES Student Spotlight: Fletcher Kirkwood

Environmental Geoscience student Fletcher Kirkwood has known they wanted to be a paleontologist, and geology was the first logical step for him! Fletcher preferred to go through the GLG route instead of the IBIO route. “I love animals, but rocks need love too!”

Fletcher is currently involved in an independent research paper of the small theropod family Alvarezsauridae with Dr. Michael Gottfried. “They are one of my favorite dinosaur families, as their unique biological adaptations and modern reconstructions paint some very interesting (if not odd) organisms. I would like to research and familiarize myself with the current scientific understanding, as well as propose some hypotheses about their lifestyle and ecological niche(s) myself.”

Fletcher shared that their favorite part of joining the Environmental Geoscience program (and EES in general) is how kind and enthusiastic the department has been. “I've found that everyone, from students to staff, have been extremely empathetic and understanding of various wrinkles that have arose in my life during my time here, and I'm incredibly grateful that I get to be a part of a department that interacts so genuinely with its students. People care deeply about the research they're doing here as well - it's nice to see passion and care for their work, and I'm more hopeful for a future career in academia for it.  I feel that I have gotten a very well-rounded geology education here, and that will be an important base for me to stand on in graduate school and beyond.”

When asked what they would say to other students considering this program, Fletcher said “Absolutely go for it! Because of the smaller size of our major, you'll make tight-knit friends and great connections with students and faculty alike - that isn't something you can just get anywhere! My mother told me once that I would switch my major in college because 'everyone does', but never once have I considered leaving this department. I have enjoyed my time here immensely, and I would hope that to be the same for anyone considering EES.”

Outside of being an amazing student, Fletcher likes to do all sorts of art - painting, sculpting, and most recently, screen printing and linocuts. “I also love creative writing, analog photography, and video games! I have a dog named Maggie and a moss ball named Albert. If you see me in the hallway, feel free to come say hi! I would love to talk about any of these things and more!”