Name: 
Marlowe Gardner
pronouns: she/they
What is your hometown?
Ambler, Pennsylvania
Program at BU?
Energy and Environment Masters Program
Please briefly introduce yourself, what’s your background, where are you from, why are you studying at BU GRS?
I am someone who has always loved science since I was a child. As an undergraduate at the University of Maine, I pursued my love of science with my degree in Earth and Climate Sciences. I had a concentration in geology and got to spend three years picking up rocks and hiking around a new area.
I ended up at Boston University to continue my education and diversify my knowledge. I wanted a change of pace from rural Maine to urban Boston, and I’m provided with new opportunities here every day!
Why did you choose to come to BU for your graduate degree?
The Energy and Environment program is a rigorous and thought-provoking program that has challenged me while enhancing what I know. This program leads to making an impact on both environmental and energy industries in ways that will help the Earth overall with a focus on analyzing policy and datasets to discover what is important to the environmental industry. The impact that you choose to tackle in the program is flexible and helps with understanding the different branches of environmental impact.
What are your favorite spots on the BU Campus?
Being in the city, I definitely miss the outdoors. The BU Beach is a wonderful spot to just decompress, read, and soak up the sun (on a warm day). It is nice to enjoy on a lovely day with a beautiful view of Storrow Drive and the Charles River.
What is your favorite part about attending BU?
My favorite part of attending BU is the classes that are offered and the knowledge of the professors. These professors truly care about their students and transform their program to help us in our dream careers. This makes it a truly moldable experience and helps with whatever your niche in the program may be.
How is life in Boston?
Life in Boston is exciting! There is always something to do. Something that I have been doing since my arrival has been Saturday morning ‘adventures’ where I take myself out and find a new museum or experience in the city to enjoy. This has resulted in making it to most of the art museums in the city, and there are so many, including the Museum of Fine Arts, the Institute of Contemporary Art, and my personal favorite, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum! Hint: Your BU ID makes most museums in the city free or extremely reduced admissions, making visiting museums an easy win!
What do you hope to do after you graduate?
There are many things I’d like to do after graduation. I hope to work in Environmental Social Governance or Energy Consulting, helping corporations and businesses make climate-proof and sustainable decisions. On a personal level, I have goals of working remotely and traveling. I would love to see all 63 national parks and hike in every one! (I’m only up to five parks at this point: Death Valley, Acadia, Shenandoah, Cuyahoga and New River Gorge!)