After graduating Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Watershed Science and a minor in Spatial Information Management in 2013, Donal completed a Master’s degree in Geography at Western Washington University in 2016. He recently accepted a position as a NSF Graduate Research Fellow and PhD student at the University of Maryland.
What led you to a natural resources education/career?
Disenchanted by the community at the University of Michigan, I dropped out after my sophomore year and joined a youth conservation corps in Tucson, Arizona. I continued on that path for 6 years, winding my way across the western US and through the non-profit, USFS, and NPS worlds and ended up in Rocky Mountain National Park, where I met dozens of friendly CSU alumni. Matriculating at CSU was actually my way of advancing my career in resource management by improving my education, credentials, and expertise with GIS technology.
What do you identify as your 'big break?' Did CSU have anything to do with it?
My 'big break' came during a trip to Washington, DC as a part of an NPS internship. I had long-revered a legendary researcher from NASA, and had been working with one of her data products as a part of my Master's thesis. Knowing that I would be within a short drive of her office at the Goddard Space Flight Center, I contacted her with my latest results, and asked for a meeting. She enthusiastically invited me to visit her, which began a fruitful mentoring experience leading to a PhD program, a major fellowship, and a few publications (and others in press). While this was two years after I graduated from CSU, the knowledge I gained in the GIS and watershed science curricula gave me the skills and confidence that I needed to pursue the research that led me to that moment.
What are you up to now in your job? Any noteworthy projects to discuss?
Currently working to improve the Ecosystem Demography model to better estimate above-ground biomass in west Africa. Some recently published work from my Master's thesis describes snowmelt timing at a 500m resolution for North America.
Can you reflect on your time and experiences at CSU and how it benefited you? How did CSU set you up for success in your career field?
The thing that sticks out the most about my time at CSU is the outstanding community within our department, and throughout the university in general. It is rare to find such highly capable, successful people who are also humble, warm, and fun to be around. That, combined with interesting faculty who are well-connected with the resource management world, set me up for success.
What advice do you have for current students or recent grads?
This world is extremely competitive for the most desirable jobs in the best locations. CSU is a very well-regarded and well-connected leader in the natural resources world, giving you access to the tools you need to succeed. Ultimately, though, your success is in your own hands. Take some time to cultivate your love for the earth, a resilient community, long-term goals, and passion for learning - the earth needs more talented advocates, and you want a good job! Your hard work now will pay off handsomely.
Any recent awards or distinctions you may have received?
In 2016, I was awarded a graduate research fellowship from the National Science Foundation (NSF-GRFP). I was also recently a Young Leader in Climate Change research fellow for the National Park Service ('15) and named the 'Outstanding Graduate' for my class upon graduation from Western Washington University (M.S. Geography, '16).