Diego Osorio

1. Tell us about where you are from and one of the coolest (perhaps also underrated) things to do in your country.

I am Colombian. Something that almost no one knows here is that Colombia is the second most biodiverse country in the world, but in area, it is the most biodiverse country per square kilometer. We are first in the number of species of birds and orchids; second in plants, amphibia, butterflies, and freshwater fish; third in palms and reptiles; and fourth in mammals. So, ecotourism is one of the coolest things to do there.

1. Tell us about your academic career, your Fulbright scholarship, and how you got into your research/studies.

I studied a B.S. in environmental engineering at the Universidad de los Andes (Colombia) thanks to a 100% merit-based government scholarship. After graduating, I started working on a research project doing a land cover classification of South American paramos (tropical-alpine ecosystems located in the Andes over 2800 m.a.s.l.) and there I realized I was passionate about GIS and remote sensing. So, I applied for the Fulbright scholarship to pursue a master’s in spatial sciences in the U.S.

1. What was the most surprising thing you did or saw since being in the USA?

I can mention several things that have surprised me here that are different from my country like using debit/credit cards to pay for everything instead of cash or the huge size of meals and food portions, but the most surprising thing was to see so many churches with the LGBTIQ+ flag and claiming to support the community. In Colombia, churches are traditional and conservative and they very often see LGBTIQ+ people as sinners.

1. Why did you choose to work at PGC?

This position is completely related to my field. Here, I see the opportunity to apply my knowledge of and continue to learn about remote sensing, programming, GIS, among others, but also expand my academic and professional network. Likewise, it is very cool to learn about polar ecosystems.

1. Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?

I see myself working with a prestigious GIS corporation tackling projects related to environmental monitoring.

1. Outside of your academic studies, what other interests do you enjoy?

I like to exercise: I try to work out 3-4 times a week, but also enjoy running, swimming, dancing, playing squash, hiking, and I just started learning to play tennis. Likewise, I fancy going on extreme rides and practicing extreme sports: what a good way to feel you are alive.

1. What is one interesting fact you want people to know about you?

My friends and family know that my favorite hobby is eating. I love it! I like to try different cuisines and here I have had the opportunity to have dishes from different parts of the world. By the way, I am an ice cream lover.

Chris Carter

1. Tell us about where you are from and one of the coolest (perhaps also underrated) things to do in your country.

I’m from Whitstable, a seaside town in Kent, England, about an hour outside of London by train. It’s a lovely place with great beaches and even greater seafood – be sure to give the oysters a try if you’re ever in the area! I grew up by the sea and Minnesota is by far the furthest I’ve ever lived from the ocean.

1. Tell us about your academic career, your Fulbright scholarship and how you got into your research/studies.

I have a degree in Geophysics from Imperial College London which introduced me to the broad, diverse world of Earth Science and climatology. I learnt a lot about the science behind and the evidence for the climate crisis, but discussions always stopped frustratingly short of what we could actually do about it.

So I moved to Minnesota to undertake a Master’s in Science, Technology and Environmental Policy at the Humphrey School. Policy work is super different here in the US; it’s much more focused on quantitative work, which is where my strengths and interests lie, so the opportunity to study STEP in the US on a Fulbright scholarship is one I simply couldn’t pass up.

1. What was the most surprising thing you did or saw since being in the USA?

The sheer scale of everything here is kinda crazy! Everything is bigger; the cars, the roads, the stores, the national parks… It’s taken some getting used to, especially coming from a city as dense and tightly-packed as London.

I also loved flying into Minnesota for the first time and seeing all the lakes from above – you really begin to understand where the ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes’ nickname comes from!

1. Why did you choose to work at PGC?

The position at PGC is the perfect blend of my past and my current academic fields. Working with PGC helps me stay connected to the Earth Sciences, giving me the opportunity to work directly with scientists and researchers to further their fantastic work. And, as we all know, the polar regions are especially sensitive to changes in the climate, which links the work of PGC nicely to my current academic work in environmental policy.

1. Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?

That’s a tough question! After grad school I plan to move back to the UK, and continue my work in environmental policy, hopefully in a position that lets me put my GIS skills to good use.

1. Outside of your academic studies, what other interests do you enjoy?

Minneapolis has really converted me to a beer-drinker, so I’m having a blast making my way round the Twin Cities’ many breweries! In the winter I love to downhill ski and I’m a trained scuba diver. I’m also due to adopt a kitten in a few weeks, so I’m eagerly preparing to become a parent.

1. What is one interesting fact you want people to know about you?

I have a twin sister and I’m colour blind!