Gavin Bandy

Gavin Bandy
Year: 
2021

It is truly an honor and a privilege to receive the Michael G. Scott Outstanding Senior in Fisheries Biology Award. This would not have been possible without the incredible support, encouragement, and knowledge of the Fisheries Department faculty, as well as my fellow classmates, friends, and family. When I first arrived at Cal Poly Humboldt as an undergraduate, I knew I wanted to pursue an education/career in aquatic sciences, however, I was unsure what the next four years would hold for me. The opportunities and experiences I have gained through my course work and technician positions within the department have allowed me to explore the diverse field of Fisheries Biology and what specialization best suited me.

One aspect of the Humboldt Fisheries program that I highly value, is the amount of field experience students can participate in. The diversity of habitats and field settings within Humboldt County, as well as the collaboration between the University and other agencies, is an incredibly unique educational experience and has been instrumental in guiding my educational and career interests. Being able to apply the concepts learned in lecture to practical field settings, is something that has significantly furthered my passion for this field. The atmosphere of Fisheries courses is something I also hold in high regard. The learning environment is one in which you learn fundamental concepts of the field, hear the diverse experiences of the professors, collaborate with both undergraduate and graduate students, and feel a real sense of community amongst the department. Although my degree is in the freshwater emphasis, I have gained an appreciation for all aspects of the field through taking courses and talking with the faculty. Additionally, the emphasis Cal Poly Humboldt puts on understanding the cultural significance and value of Fisheries resources is extremely important for me. It is especially significant for the location of Humboldt, as the field continues to grow and strives to become more inclusive.

The Fisheries Biology Department at Cal Poly Humboldt is one that continually inspires its students to exceed. I am currently continuing my education at Humboldt perusing a Master’s Degree in Dr. Andrew Kinziger’s Lab. My studies will entail developing methodologies to perform local-scale occupancy estimates of Coho Salmon using environmental DNA. In my future career, I hope to work with the restoration of Pacific Salmonid populations and their habitats. Again, I would like to thank the faculty and students at Humboldt, as well as my friends and family, for helping me along my educational journey.