Clarissa Casper

As the Rachel Carson Science Journalism Fellow, I write stories about the Cornell Lab’s science and conservation work. I write and edit articles about birds, nature, and the people who study and protect them, helping make complex research accessible and engaging for broad audiences. I also help teach a course in science journalism for undergraduates at Cornell and mentor student writers. I do this work because I love connecting people with the natural world through storytelling and helping inspire curiosity and care for birds and biodiversity.

My Story

I’ve always been curious about birds and animals, spending much of my life learning about them and sharing that curiosity with others. In college, I chose to study journalism so I could combine my love of wildlife with storytelling and help inspire people to care about the natural world. I’m from Utah, where I volunteered with the Intermountain West Shorebird Survey, counting shorebirds and white-faced ibis at the Great Salt Lake. Before joining the Cornell Lab, I worked in local news, most recently as the Cache Valley reporter for The Salt Lake Tribune and Utah Public Radio. I’ve also taught English and journalism and was a fellow for the Rachel Carson Council, where I wrote creative nonfiction essays inspired by Carson’s work.

Fun Fact

When I was 17, I fell in love with humpback whales and puffins on a trip to an island in the Bay of Fundy called Grand Manan. I watched mother whales and their claves surface right beside our boat, with Great Shearwaters gliding over the glassy water. The whales breached again and again, it didn’t feel real! I also visited Machias Seal Island, where I got to watch puffins up close from a viewing blind. Being surrounded by so much wildlife left a lasting impression on me and continues to inspire my curiosity and passion for exploring the natural world.

Education

Bachelor of Science, Utah State University, Journalism, 2024