Student and alumni profiles
Find out what study in our School is like–read what our current and past students have to say about their experiences.
![Raven Maeder Raven sits at a desk in the library with a book open in front of her.](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0010/1708948/varieties/ls_medium.jpg)
Raven Maeder
Raven is studying a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and a Bachelor of Laws.
![Raiatea Barlow Kameta Raiatea stands in front of rocky hills](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0010/1708957/varieties/ls_medium.jpg)
Raiatea Barlow Kameta
Raiatea is a candidate for a Master of Science in Physical Geography.
![Clarrie Macklin Clarrie Macklin sits in the foreground with a glacier model on the computer screen behind him.](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0005/1708970/varieties/ls_medium.jpg)
Clarrie Macklin
Wanting to keep his options open, Clarrie started off his time at university with a BSc in Geophysics and English Literature.
![Francesca Mills Francesca Mills, wearing a lab coat, stands in a lab in front of rows of glass beakers](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0007/1708981/varieties/ls_medium.jpg)
Francesca Mills
Like many kiwi kids, Francesca grew up in and out of the water and, over time, she gained an appreciation for freshwater environments.
![Kyle Clem Kyle Clem stands in front of a map showing weather and pressure zones.](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0005/1708988/varieties/ls_medium.jpg)
Kyle Clem
Kyle completed a PhD in Physical Geography where he researched the climate and weather in Antarctica.
![Jakob Parrish Jakob Parrish standing outside amongst vegetation](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0018/1709001/varieties/ls_medium.jpg)
Jakob Parrish
Jakob was drawn to Environmental Science for the opportunity to work with many leading scientists and to make a difference to the future of New Zealand.
![Laurette Siemonek Laurette Siemonek stands outside with Wellington city behind her](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0005/1709006/varieties/ls_medium.jpg)
Laurette Siemonek
Laurette is studying towards a Master of Climate Change Science and Policy.
![Amber Kale Amber sits at her desk and looks directly at the camera. Behind her, on her computer screen, is one of the paintings from her exhibition.](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0011/1748711/varieties/ls_medium.jpg)
Amber Kale
Amber began her time at the University with a Bachelor of Arts but her interest in refugee resettlement saw her pursue research in Human Geography.
![Arif Hanson Arif stands in the middle of a sports field, with rolling hills and an orange building behind him.](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0009/1748718/varieties/ls_medium.jpg)
Arif Hasan
With research that bridges the gap between science and the humanities, Arif is looking at the economic, political, and scientific contexts of climate change.
![Beth Lawson Beth sits at her computer, turned towards the camera. On her computer screens are maps of New Zealand with certain areas highlighted](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0006/1748724/varieties/ls_medium.jpg)
Beth Lawson
With interests in geography, IT systems, problem solving, nature and data visualisation, Beth decided that a Postgraduate Diploma in GIS was for her.
![Kelle Howson Kelle, wearing a black scarf and dark grey shirt, stands with her arms crossed in front of trees and high rise buildings.](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0006/1748733/varieties/ls_medium.jpg)
Kelle Howson
With a passion for global economic justice and social research, Kelle completed a PhD in Development Studies and now works as a researcher in government.
![Leo Mercer Leo sits at his desk, turned towards the camera, with his computer behind him.](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0012/1748739/varieties/ls_medium.jpg)
Leo Mercer
Environmental issues are some of the most complex challenges faced by society today, says Leo, who is conducting research to help address some of these issues.
![Omid Khazaeian Omid leans against the wall and looks at the camera. The wall paper is a world map.](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0010/1748746/varieties/ls_medium.jpg)
Omid Khazaeian
Omid is pursuing a PhD in Geographic Information Science where he is looking at an important aspect in urban planning–commuting.
![Bindi Robertson Bindi smiles at the camera wearing a pink top behind a grey background](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0007/1945510/varieties/ls_medium.jpg)
Bindi Robertson
Bindi's concerns about climate change motivated her to return to postgraduate study.
![quyet-trinh Quyet stands behind the ocean wearing a brown leather jacket looking away from the camera.](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/image/0004/1945516/varieties/ls_medium.jpg)
Quyet Trinh
Quyet gained the practical and theoretical skills needed to make a difference to future generations to come.