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Christopher D. Golden "My advice to Henry David Thoreau Scholars? Take advantage of every opportunity that is presented to you. I first became interested in Madagascar in the third grade, when I wrote a paper about lemurs. And all these years later, I'm researching there."
Chris Golden looks through a microscope with some students attending the school he formed in Madagascar. After a phenomenal four years at Harvard, Chris Golden should be resting on his laurels. His senior year saw him named as a winner of Harvard's prestigious Captain Jonathan Fay Prize. Awarded for outstanding scholarship by the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, the prize honors a small, elite group of graduating seniors who have produced "the most outstanding work or piece of original research in any field." Chris' winning thesis, "Eaten to Endangerment: Mammal Hunting and the Bushmeat Trade in Madagascar's Makira Forest," was the culmination of several extended stints in that African country during summertime. His first trip to Madagascar had taken place at age 16, under the auspices of EarthWatch, while he was studying at Cohasset High School. Enthralled, he vowed to return. More information about his recent on-site research can be found at www.hmag.harvard.edu/on-line/070577.html But, true to form, Chris is not resting on his laurels. Earlier this summer, this Henry David Thoreau Scholar served as editorial assistant to Dr. Eric Chivian, Director of the Center for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard Medical School. Chris tracked down images, definitions and resources to be used in Dr. Chivian's forthcoming book on sustaining biodiversity for innovation in human medicine. Chivian praises Chris as "an exceptional young man--very bright, unpretentious, sees the big picture, inordinately curious, and a delightful human being." Now Chris heads back to Madagascar for nine more months of research for the Wildlife Conservation Society. As an undergraduate in Madagascar, Chris became proficient in the Malagasy language and gained the trust of the local community. He wore two hats--educator and researcher. Always concerned for his home village neighbors and their families, he implemented an environmental educational program for children. He took them on frequent trips to the forest and taught them about lemurs, fossas and other rare species that inhabit it. With characteristic generosity, he provided funds for two outstanding students to continue their studies at private school. His groundbreaking bushmeat research attracted immediate attention from the Wildlife Conservation Society--his research sponsor--as well as from Conservation International. The latter organization flew him to Madagascar to present his research paper earlier this spring. He also delivered it at a Duke University conference. More Harvard honors that came his way were receiving the 2005 Hoopes Prize for outstanding undergraduate research and joining the 10th anniversary class of Weissman International Interns. The Henry David Thoreau Foundation is immensely proud of him and congratulates him for his great success. We'll hear more great things from Chris Golden--there's no doubt about it. |
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