2014 Charter Academy salutatorian earns Stanford doctorate
Alyssa Lyn Fortier, a 2014 Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy salutatorian, concludes her graduate studies with a "Defense of Dissertation" presentation this spring at Stanford University. Fortier, 27, has earned a doctorate in computational evolutionary biology from the university.
Courtesy photo
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy 2014 salutatorian Alyssa Lyn Fortier is seen this spring with her Stanford University professor and adviser Jonathan Pritchard after she delivered her final graduate studies presentation. She now has a doctorate in biology from the university.
Courtesy photo
A 2014 Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy salutatorian who graduated with a 4.435 GPA has reached a significant milestone on her path of academic excellence.
Alyssa Lyn Fortier, who started her scholastic career in Amanda Lee’s kindergarten class at Hayden Meadows Elementary, has received her doctorate in biology from Stanford University.
Fortier, 27, grew up near Hayden Lake with sister Carley and parents Marty and Kay Fortier.
Alyssa Fortier concluded her graduate studies with a “Defense of Dissertation." She presented her research findings to a committee of Stanford academics, including her adviser/mentor professor Jonathan Pritchard. During her presentation, she was required to demonstrate her novel contribution to her field of study, while answering questions from a Stanford panel.
Fortier was accepted to the Stanford doctorate program after graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of Arizona, Tucson, in 2018. While at Arizona, Fortier majored in mathematics and molecular and cellular biology, with minors in computer science and biochemistry. She was president of the university's math club, Math Cats, and graduated with honors in molecular and cellular biology.
During her time at Coeur d'Alene Charter, Fortier was an Idaho Top Scholar, she was active on the varsity Academic Team and she secured a National Merit Scholarship sponsored by the University of Arizona.
“I’m not at all surprised that Alyssa Lyn has achieved amazing things," Coeur d'Alene Charter Principal Dan Nicklay said. "She was a gifted student who excelled in everything she did — from taking every AP class available to participating on our champion academic team. On top of her academic achievements, she was a great kid who enjoyed the respect of her peers and her teachers."
In high school, Fortier studied art as much as math and science.
“Alyssa was and remains one of my all-time star artists," Charter art teacher Heather Ketchum said. "She was in my classes for four years and was extremely talented – always creating beautiful and perfect work.”
