2020 Graduate Student Teaching Award Recipient: Wyatt Bain

Wyatt Bain, from the USA, is one of the Faculty of Graduate Research and Studies, Teaching Assistant Award recipients for 2020. He is in the pursuit of his Master's in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences.

Why did you choose this area of study?

I love the outdoors and fieldwork, and geology involves a lot of both. On top of that, Earth science makes a lot of intuitive sense to me and that makes it really fun.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Hopefully in a teaching and research role at a small university somewhere (preferable in the desert southwest!)

Who are three of your heroes (living or historical) and why?

Theodore Roosevelt (The 26th, and arguably the most loved, American president. He was a progressive that believed in workers' rights, conservation, and the spirit of the West. During his time in office, he used his authority to protect wildlife and public lands by creating the United States Forest Service (USFS) and establishing 150 national forests, 51 federal bird reserves, 4 national game preserves, 5 national parks, and 18 national monuments by enabling the Antiquities Act. He was also a mans man who loved his family and stood tall for what he believed in. Upon hearing of Roosevelt's death in 1919, Thomas R Marshall remarked that "death had to take him in his sleep, for if Roosevelt had been awake, there would have been a fight." He was a true American hero and his spirit lives in the hearts and minds of all Americans).

Edward Abbey (He was an American author, conservationist, and anarchist. Some of his most famous works focus on the American Southwest, and his views on the desert and life in general really resonate with me. If the mountains are Mir's, and the coasts are Kerouac's, then the desert is Abbey's country)

My mom and dad Throughout my life they have been my biggest fans and greatest allies. They encouraged me to do good, love deeply, and dream big, and they lead by example. I wouldn't be where I am today without them.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Not sure about this one. If it's truly a virtue, then how could it be "overrated". Maybe I'm thinking too much about it...

Name a book that you would assign as recommended reading to students?

Toss-up between Red Mars (Kim Stanley Robinson) and Desert Solitaire (Edward Abbey). Two great books that any geologist would love.

What skill would you consider to be most essential for humanity?
Thrift. Many of the issues faced by humanity are related to the over-consumption of non-essential goods and the frivolous use of materials (single-use plastic and packaging are two examples). The key to the future is sustainability and the ethic of "take only what you need" underpins that idea. Don't get me wrong, I love consumer goods just as much as the next guy. But, I believe in using what I have to the fullest and allocating my resources with intention.

Who or what on campus has made an impact on your UAlberta success?

The EVO scanning electron microscope (SEM) in the EAS department. It's by far the best SEM I've ever worked with and I've made real discoveries with it that wouldn't be possible elsewhere.