Aaron Baumgardner
He/Him
I am gay and I am a plant ecologist.
I’m currently an MS student at California State University, Bakersfield, studying the effects of drought on the health of Southern California’s chaparral shrublands. I came out of the closet during my freshman year of undergrad, so my self-discovery of my research interests and my sexuality have occurred simultaneously. Fortunately, all my research advisors as well as those I have worked closely with have been accepting of who I am. My research experiences have also introduced me to other scientists who identify with the LGBTQ+ community. I believe that it is important that I add my proud voice to 500 Queer Scientists because I never knew of any gay scientists to look up to as role models. The next generation of queer-identifying scientists should not have to look long to find us.