With a passion for scaling cliffs and hunting ancient fossils at Mistaken Point, Heléna Muirhead-Hunt has found her place among the rocky shores of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Where are you from?

I’m from Kingston, Ontario. The landscape in Newfoundland is so striking, and I’ve really enjoyed engaging with nature that is so different from what I grew up with—especially the shorter trees and the abundance of moss!

What do you enjoy doing for fun? 

I love rock climbing and have really appreciated the warm welcome from the local climbing community. Being part of such a friendly and inclusive network has made my transition to the province much smoother. I also play the violin and have found the local live music scene to be fantastic. Exploring traditional Newfoundland music has been a highlight, and I hope to get involved playing it myself in the future!

Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?

After completing my undergraduate degree in Earth science, I felt I had only just scratched the surface of the field. Pursuing a master’s degree offered an exciting opportunity to explore a specific topic in greater depth. I was also drawn to the combination of fieldwork and office-based research that a graduate degree in Earth science allows—an ideal balance for me.

Why did you choose Memorial University for your graduate studies?

I’ve been fascinated by Ediacaran fossils since I first learned about them in my first year of undergrad. MUN is uniquely situated in one of the few provinces where this type of material is both accessible and actively studied, so it was an easy choice. Also, several of my professors had completed their own studies at MUN and spoke very highly of the experience, which encouraged me to pursue graduate work here.

What is your research/thesis about? How do you describe your research to a general audience with no background in the field?

My research focuses on “Ediacaran biota”, or fossils from the Ediacaran period. To people without a scientific background, I describe it as the earliest fossil evidence of macroscopic (visible-to-the-naked-eye) animal life. These fossils are best known from the Mistaken Point UNESCO World Heritage Site here in NL.

How would you describe your experience as a graduate student at Memorial?

It’s been a great experience so far, and diving into a field I previously had only a basic understanding of has been really engaging. The more I learn, the more questions I find myself asking, and that ongoing process has made the work feel meaningful and rewarding. The people have also been incredibly friendly, and I’ve made tons of connections through school. I’ve especially enjoyed getting to know my supervisor and lab mates, both in the lab/office and during fieldwork.

What scholarships or awards have you received?

I received the School of Graduate Studies F.A. Aldrich Fellowship.

Have you faced any challenges in life that you’ve overcome to pursue graduate studies?

I think COVID was a struggle for most people, and like many I found online school difficult— especially given I was in-part drawn to Earth science for its hands-on aspect. During this time, I also experienced health issues and decided to take some time off to recover and wait for in-person learning to resume. I worried that taking time away might cause me to lose momentum, but in hindsight, it was absolutely the right decision. I returned for my final undergraduate year in good health, and it ended up being my strongest academic year! I feel incredibly grateful to now be pursuing a subject I’m passionate about, and those earlier struggles have only deepened my appreciation for where I am today.

What career path are you interested in pursuing after graduation?

While I’m not entirely certain of my career path yet, I know I’m passionate about science communication and hope to work in a role that involves educating the public on the natural sciences. I love the challenge of making complex scientific ideas accessible to everyone.

My dream job is to be a museum curator at the Royal Ontario Museum, though I often say I might end up in a role I don’t even know exists yet!

What advice would you give to current or future graduate students?

If you’re considering graduate school, make sure the subject genuinely interests you. I’m only halfway through my program, but I can already say that I couldn’t have made it this far without being invested in the material. I can’t imagine doing all the readings and research I’ve done on a topic I didn’t care about!

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