Zachary Falconer
B.S. in Environmental Science, Terrestrial Ecology Track
Why did you choose a major in Environmental Science?
“Heading into college I was torn between History and Science. I have always enjoyed being outdoors and Jeff Corwin and Steve Irwin have been major influences in my life, initially leading me to wanting to be an Environmental Officer. My uncle also played a large role in my decision. Together we would often go out hunting and camping and this helped me realize that I wanted to go into Environmental Science for my career.”
Is there a specific Professor at Brockport that has had a major impact on your college career?
“Andie Graham has played a huge role in my college career. She was my first environmental science professor I had, teaching my intro class. She was also the first professor to reach out and help me find a research project to strengthen my experience. In my intro class, we had a portfolio project and Professor Graham introduced me to the idea of the Bluebird Research project that I started as a freshman and I’m still taking part in today.”
What has been the most impactful research you have done at Brockport?
“The most impactful research project I have taken part in started back in the summer of 2016 where I focused on productivity of Eastern Bluebirds and Nest Box preference. When I started my research, we only had six boxes on campus, now we have 40, allowing us a much larger sample of data to analyze. This project has allowed me to see what it is like to take a lead role in research and I recently was able to present on my findings at the Rochester Academy of Science and I will soon be presenting at the NY Chapter of the Wildlife Society Annual Conference this spring.”
How did SUNY Brockport influence you to take the path you’re on now?
“The College provided me the opportunity to research birds, something I wasn’t passionate about until then. I hadn’t researched birds before, but I had gone birding. It was a lot of fun and helped me realize there are so many options in this field that I was unaware of before college. Now I hope to continue my research at the College and maybe even find a job studying birds after I graduate.”
What are your plans for the future?
“In the future I would like to travel and experience the world. I hope to go on to graduate school at some point, but maybe not right after I graduate. Eventually, I want to work in the field conducting research, preferably on birds. One day I hope to move to the Pacific Northwest where I can experience the rainforests and completely different environment from what I have lived in most of my life.”
Posted: August 24, 2022