Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ
Keven Griffen
Who I Am
I grew up in Flagstaff, AZ, and consider myself a somewhat accidental scientist. My passion is mainly for being in the outdoors: science offers me a lens through which to investigate nature, and a way to filter my observations into one specific mode of understanding. I also like to engage with the world around me through writing, art, and music.
​
When not in school, I love to spend time mountain biking, walking with my dog, and knitting endless pairs of woolen socks.
Education
B.A. Geology-Biology, 2017
Brown University
Providence, RI
Employment
Prior to starting graduate school, I worked for many years a a biological science technician for Federal agencies such as the National Park Service and US Geological Survey, as well as non-profits such as The Nature Conservancy and the Great Basin Institute. I learned botany in regions as diverse as the Rhode Island Salt Ponds and the High Sierra, and then fell in love with biocrusts and desert ecosystems more broadly at the USGS in Moab, UT. When not working as a researcher, I also gained experience teaching at outdoor education centers in California and Washington.