Kirstin Gale, Biologist/ Fresh Water Ecologist
I am a biologist and freshwater ecologist who studies trout and salmon in lakes, rivers, and streams. I currently work for the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, which is a non-profit organization that supports freshwater fisheries in B.C. My path to becoming a biologist was far from a straight line (in fact, it included dropping out of university!). However, one constant throughout my life has been a love of animals. Somehow, despite having a single mom who struggled financially at times, I grew up with ducks, chickens, dogs, rabbits, a rat, budgies, sheep, a horse, and a fish tank. After high school, I got a scholarship and was studying Creative Writing, but that didn’t feel like a viable career. I was in school to please others, but didn’t know what I wanted for myself. So, I quit university and started my first career in a veterinary practice. I started as a veterinary assistant, and worked my way up to being a veterinary technician (animal nurse) and eventually became the practice manager.
After ten years in that field, I was ready for a new challenge. I enrolled in the Natural Resources Conservation program at UBC at age 28 (I was one of the oldest in my class). During my second year, I was sidelined by a major illness. After 6 months of recovery, I went back to school, nervous about my ability to complete my degree. Working through that challenge changed my life. I needed the support of my program director to return to school after falling so far behind, and as a result he witnessed my struggle to overcome this obstacle. He offered me a summer job in his research lab studying salmon, which I eagerly accepted. I didn’t start out interested specifically in fish, but what better summer job than one that would put me out on the water? I don’t often talk about this, but the proudest accomplishment of my life was returning to university and graduating at the top of my class. My professor then offered me a prestigious spot in his research lab and I completed a Master’s degree in salmon ecology. Grad school was the hardest and most fun time of my life. Overall, the course of my career has been determined by working really hard, and trying to be brave when I was terrified to fail.
Outside of work, I love to hike with my dogs, kayak, paddle board, and read. I sit on the Executive Committee of the Washington - British Columbia Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, I am on the Board of Directors for the Soroptimist International Victoria Westshore club, and I am a founding Board member of a non-profit organization called Pawsabilities that donates service dogs to local folks who may not have the means to purchase one.
“Overall, the course of my career has been determined by working really hard, and trying to be brave when I was terrified to fail.”
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