Grad Talk

Grad student Steve Cardinal talks about life at Mizzou, discussing his thesis defense project, sharing his hopes for what’s next, and reflecting on his favorite geography memories, in this issue of Grad Talk.

Steve Cardinal

Why did you choose geography as a grad degree? And what is your emphasis?

Cardinal: My emphasis is in biogeography, which concerns the distribution of plant and animal species. And I just chose it as a master’s degree because I did my undergrad in geography as well.

Where did you come to Columbia/Mizzou from, and is your university experience what you expected? Why? Why not?

Cardinal: Well I came here from Southern Connecticut University for my undergrad degree in New Haven, Connecticut, and I’m originally from Trumbull, Connecticut. I’d say it’s what I expected coming from a small school to a big university.

What are you working on for your master’s thesis? (Please expand as needed.)

Cardinal: For my master’s thesis I’m doing repeat photography within the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. So, I’m looking at five particular field sites that were taken in 2002 and just re-photographing them in 2019 in order to see the environmental change that took place.

What do you expect to find or have found as a result of your research?

Cardinal: Well in terms of environmental change we saw tree densification, spruce beetle infestations and sapling establishment — and all that is attributed to the drought-like conditions that Colorado has seen in the last few years.

What do you hope to do once you get out of the program?

Cardinal: I’d like to find employment in some capacity with conservation groups or the Park Service.

What is your favorite part of geography at MU?

Cardinal: I like how warm and welcoming the department is as a whole.

Would you recommend the geography department to others? Why or why not?

Cardinal: I highly would due to the broad interest across the department. Anyone can find their niche here. My experience here has definitely been one I will never forget due to the experiences and relationships I have developed within the time in the program.

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Grad Talk

Grad Talk