Raylan Stroud

Hey! I’m Raylan.

In order to tell you anything about myself, first you should probably know that I spend 90% of my time skiing, swimming, biking, and running. The other 10% of the time I am probably thinking about my next adventure or eating peanut butter. I am a very active individual with a love for adventure and the earth.

My passion for adventure started at a young age as I grew up in a canoe and tent exploring the rivers and lakes of remote northern Canada with my parents. As a young adult I still take advantage of every chance I get to hike, camp, canoe, scuba dive, Alpine ski, or Nordic ski… no matter what the weather is. Nothing makes me happier than a long ski on a winter day with my friends, or a hike up a mountain with my dog.

I also love to travel and find moving to a new place very exciting. I have lived in New Zealand, South Africa, USA, and Canada (of course!).

My academic background is a little different than most. I was homeschooled until grade 6 because we travelled a lot. I then went to high school in northern Ontario, where I spent most of my time playing sports. In my years at Guelph I have been lucky enough to complete part of my degree in field courses and on an exchange. I am currently in my 5th year and final semester, completing my BSc in biological science with a minor in geography. My favourite classes have been GIS, coastal ecosystems, and natural and biotic resources. The fields of science which I am most passionate about are biogeography and conservation, more specifically when concerning coastal environments.

After I graduate I plan on exploring the possibility of my future as a triathlete. To further my education, I hope to go to teachers’ college overseas (more travelling!) with the final goal of teaching high school biology and geography. This will allow me to share my passion for our planet and the ways in which it needs protecting.

Someone in the science world who has inspired me is Jane Goodall. I have always found her passion and dedication to her work encouraging.

One interesting fact about me is that I am a provincial elite triathlete and competed in the World championships in Australia last September. This keeps me very busy and very happy too!