Lieutenant JG Gerard Alan Garrett

Greetings, all!

I'm your newest n00b, and I'll be writing the character who takes care of the practice of biological sciences on board the Normandie. I look forward to collaborating with each and every one of you. Let's make plot magic happen!

-Frank

[character]

Full name: Gerard Alan Garrett
Rank: Lieutenant, junior grade
Species: Terran
Age: 33
Height: 1.84m
Weight: 87kg
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Hazel
Physical: Garrett's crewmates observe that he doesn't walk so much as march, but his proud carriage belies his easy, deep-lined smile, seemingly overstocked with bright teeth. His gaze is warm and becomes intense when working on a problem with colleagues or discussing the ramifications of the latest xenobiological research, his calloused hands fluidly expressive, his bass voice resonating with energy. He keeps his hair relatively conservative for reasons of laboratory hygiene, which draws attention to his rather oversized ears.

Spouse: None
Children: None
Father: Glenn Russell Garrett
Mother: Alma Friedricha Deberschutz
Brother(s): None
Sister(s): Patricia Garrett, age 43
Sonja Garrett, age 39
Kaitlin Garrett, age 37
Other family: Extensive

General Overview: Garrett is generally reserved, analytical, independent, and even-tempered. He can be depended upon to serve as a calm voice of reason in almost any circumstance. However, he is by no means avoidant or impersonal. He considers science the most social of professions and derives great satisfaction from "solution hunting" with his colleagues. Both personally and professionally, his M.O. centers on clear and frequent communication, as well as careful consideration of input from all pertinent sources. His relationships with superior officers are respectfully distanced and based on proper deference to authority, but he is quite personable and friendly around peers and subordinates.

Strengths/Weaknesses: One of Garrett's favorite scientific witticisms is "it's called RE-search because you'll have to do it over and over again." His deep patience and sense of humor are helpful in this respect. However, making snap decisions under pressure is somewhat difficult for Garrett, whose profession depends on gathering as much reliable evidence as possible before coming to a conclusion. He is diplomatic and goes out of his way to be accommodating, sometimes to the point of allowing his own wishes and needs to be subverted for those of others.

Ambitions: Though he would never admit it, Garrett lives for recognition. While he joined Starfleet because he deeply believes in its mission of peaceful exploration and its policy of respect for all life forms, he also sees it as the ideal route to becoming a major contributor to the field of biology. He is a true naturalist of classical casting and is only too glad to warp into the unknown, eyes peeled for phenomena and species unrecorded in Federation annals. He has no strong command ambitions, being content to appreciate the living marvels of the universe and share his findings with the scientific community, hopefully gaining respect and admiration within it in the process. His loftiest ambition is to use his profession to encourage peace, understanding, and cooperation between all species, by demonstrating just how similar all living things are in essence.

Hobbies and Interests: Garrett follows the credo of the ancient Roman legionnaire, "A Sound Mind in a Sound Body," and works as hard to maintain his physical acuity as he does his mental. His shoulders are slightly drawn back from years of recreational archery and climbing, and he also enjoys long (several day-long) hikes. When not testing himself in nature, he plays the didgeridoo and guitar, dabbles in systems programming, and reads the poetry of every species known to produce it. His current favorites are the Klingon epics.

Personal History: Garrett hails from the southeastern coast of Alaska. His formative years were spent exploring the breathtaking biological diversity and natural beauty of the Alexander Archipelago. The accounts of human explorer-naturalists such as Darwin, Steller, Muir, and Cousteau instilled him with wanderlust and a desire to follow in their footsteps, breaking trail into the unknown universe. A short career in ecosystem management, while engaging and rewarding, did not satisfy Garrett's adventurous nature: he applied for Starfleet Academy at the age of 29. Garrett's first experience with Romulan ale at the Academy led his classmates to refer to him by the phonetic pronunciation of his initials, but palatal limitations aside, he happily describes his Academy years as the best time he's had so far, and he quickly distinguished himself with his keen grasp of details and ability to ask the right questions. His greatest academic effort was devoted to studying organismal biology, more specifically anatomy and physiology. While this qualified him to characterize new life forms, it also landed him an adjunct position teaching future medical professionals, and to this day he still often consults with medical personnel on problem cases.

Career Record:

2375: Received B.S. in biological sciences (University of Alaska).

2375-2379: Ecosystem manager, Bering Sea.

2378: Received M.S. in marine biology (University of Alaska).

2379-2383: Attended Starfleet Academy, graduating with honors (senior thesis: "Molecular characterization and physiological performance of a unique respiratory pigment in Suratan bog vines, S. rikerii.").

2383-2386: Adjunct instructor of biological sciences (Starfleet Academy).

2386: Promotion to Lieutenant (junior grade). Assignment to USS Normandie.

[/character]