Kier Steward

Authored by Tim Olivieri

Character Biography

Kier was born and raised in San Francisco. His father, Douglas, was a Starfleet oceanographer until his death from natural causes at the age of 51 and the rank of Lieutenant Commander when Kier was 15. After his father’s death, Kier and his mother, Amelia moved to Washington State where she resumed the practice of medicine. Because of his father’s early death due to illness and his mother’s profession, Kier was first drawn to becoming a physician. Able to shadow his mother and her colleagues at the hospital, he soon realized that while the science of medicine intrigued him he was not suited for clinical practice. The anguish of the suffering, in particular, rattled him and his ability to recall information.

Kier failed to gain entry to Starfleet Academy twice, being accepted at the age of 22 shortly after his graduation from the University of Washington with a degree in neuroscience. He earned an advanced degree in exobiology while at the academy with a research interest in neurological systems drawing from his undergraduate work. Kier is relatively quiet and reserved. His shyness having been the primary cause for his failed admission attempts to the academy, he was able to come out of his shell through repeated conscious effort on his part. While social interaction is not his strong suit, he recognizes this weakness and works hard to overcome it.