Name, where are you in the world right now?

Kirk Zieser, and I’m currently in Centennial, Colorado.

Where are you joining us from?

I’m a rising junior in the STIA (Science, Technology, and International Affairs) program at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, focusing on energy & environment and minoring in computer science and Spanish.

Why did you choose to work with Conservation X Labs (CXL) this summer?

I’ve always loved nature and animals. As I’ve grown up and gained a deeper understanding of the natural world, conservation has risen to the forefront of my interests. I first started to internalize the need for conservation when a prairie dog village near my house was bulldozed to clear the way for an apartment complex. I related my personal experience to global conservation issues, particularly how overpopulation leads to increased human-wildlife conflict. These problems aren’t just happening in other parts of the world -- they affect all communities.

It’s exciting to be part of CXL’s novel approach to conservation issues with solutions that are both practical and trailblazing. CXL’s work is changing my perspective of how conservation is defined and executed.

What will you be working on with us?

This summer, I’m working with Cassie Hoffman and Gina Crane on the conservation curriculum toolkit. The online toolkit is being developed for a faculty audience to be able to draw from its resources to inform and improve their own courses (whether conservation-focused or otherwise). It’s a fascinating time to be working on this project -- there are a lot of pivotal decisions being made about specific modules, overarching themes, design strategies, and so on. It’s awesome to know that what we’re working on will impact students all around the country and generate new solutions.

Do you have a favorite species?

I’ve always liked kangaroos. Perhaps it’s because their name, like mine, starts with ‘k.’ Their ability to hop, tendency to kickbox, and overall charisma fascinates me. I was fortunate to visit Australia with my family in 6th grade and was elated to see kangaroos in the wild on Kangaroo Island (believe it or not, that’s a real place!)

How are you staying entertained during the pandemic?

I’ve started to learn how to unicycle. It’s been a fun challenge and great way to build some exercise into my daily routine. My dad learned how to unicycle as a child, and we’ve had a unicycle hanging in our garage for the past few years that I’ve never touched. Recently, I decided to try to pick it up! For the first 6 weeks, I needed to use my dad’s arm for balance. Now, I’m able to freemount and I’m zooming around my neighborhood!

Outside of your work at CXL, what’s one of the coolest projects you’ve worked on so far?

In my first semester at Georgetown, I took a class called Deeper Sources of Environmental Policy, where I conducted a research project in National Geographic’s archives. I studied the impact of Paul Nicklen’s photography on arctic policy, and how his work has made a tangible difference - by inspiring regulations on whaling, leading to the creation of new marine sanctuaries, and more. During the semester, Paul Nicklen came to the Nat Geo headquarters to give a talk, and I was able to do a brief interview with him afterwards. I’m very interested in photography, and Nicklen is one of my favorite photographers, so it was a dream come true!