NOVA LABS

Undergraduate Institution + Degree:

University of Nottingham, Geography

Graduate Institution + Degree: 

McGill University and University of Nottingham , MSc at McGill, PhD at Nottingham, DSc at Nottingham

Since 1959 I have worked on issues that can be described as glacial geology and Quaternary history with a focus in the Arctic and research on both land and in the marginal seas to the Arctic Ocean. This has involved investigation of the response of the earth to ice sheet loads and the impact of the delivery of sediments to the oceans.

To do my job, I cultivated an ability to survive in cold climates and the writing and illustrative skills to present the results.

I was inspired to pursue this field by a love of the outdoors and a curiosity on the history of glaciation.

What advice do you have for young people that are interested in pursuing a career in your field?

Try and look for the differences in your data from the accepted paradigms and test ideas and data with quantitative methods.

Field work on Baffin Island, 1963—setting out to move camp.

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Undergraduate Institution + Degree:

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, BS in Biochemistry and English

Graduate Institution + Degree: 

University of New Hampshire, PhD in Earth Sciences (2021)

My research interests include using bioinformatic programming techniques to understand the impact of warming on microbial mediation of carbon emissions from Arctic lakes. Additionally, I study how indigenous communities in Sweden and Australia access weather and climate data to better understand how to make results from climate research more accessible and applicable to individuals and communities. Through this work I hope to promote the collaborative development of conservation policy by both scientists and indigenous communities.

To do my job you need a combination of quantitative and qualitative skills. Because I study not only the environmental response to Arctic warming but also the impact this change has on communities, I need a variety of skills that allow me to connect with both people and the land. Programming skills, critical thinking skills, and a decent understanding of biology, chemistry, and Earth science are essential to my microbial ecology research. For the more social science part of my work, skills such as communicating science and research and knowledge of cultures are important. For both of these types of work, traits like humility, dedication, and innovativeness are essential.

Science was something that drew my attention from a young age as I wandered the fields on my grandparent's farm in Iowa and performed mini-experiments with the materials I found around me. During my high school and college years, a combination of devoted mentors and unique internship opportunities allowed me to discover the research I was passionate about and begin to develop ways to share my science with the communities most impacted by climate change. Some of my more informative experiences were interning at the US Department of Agriculture working with farmers and scientists to help develop a water quality index for run-off water, leading field and lab experiments in the India Himalaya through a Fulbright grant, and studying climate change in the Bahamas with a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates.

What advice do you have for young people that are interested in pursuing a career in your field?

My biggest piece of advice is to trust yourself, but stay humble. Science is meant to push the bounds of what we know. It is exciting and innovative and often gives us more questions than answers! Learn everything you can from those around you, new techniques, new ways of thinking, etc., but when you identify the "thing" you find missing from science and the STEM fields, don't be afraid to pursue new ideas and new methods. One of the most rewarding experiences in STEM for me has been learning how to incorporate traditional ecological knowledge into my own western science work. It has been a powerful addition to my overall research, but took a lot of time and work to develop this piece of my research. It was my dedication to work collaboratively with the indigenous communities directly impacted by the results of our research group's work that exposed me to a whole group of like-minded community members and scientists working towards the same goal. As you learn more, eventually you will become an expert in something, but it likely won't feel that way. Trust yourself to bring your knowledge AND your identity to your work and field, and stay humble in the thought that it takes more than one expert to solve any (scientific and non) problem.

Trust yourself to bring your knowledge AND your identity to your work and field, and stay humble in the thought that it takes more than one expert to solve any (scientific and non) problem.

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Undergraduate Institution + Degree:

University of Copenhagen (Denmark), MSc. in Geography

Graduate Institution + Degree: 

Princeton University, PhD, Civil and Environmental Engineering

I study climate change and how it increases melting in Greenland. Greenland is one of the world’s largest islands, and it’s covered in nearly two miles of ice. My research looks at how ice that melts at the top of Greenland, flows into rivers and streams, and eventually reaches the ocean. This melted ice leads to sea level rise and can threaten marine environments.

To do my job, I've cultivated my creativity and inquisitiveness, a strong connection to my community, a love of reading to keep up with new research, teamwork, leadership, mentoring abilities, writing, programming, and public speaking skills.

I have always enjoyed being in nature, and when I learned how humans are changing Earth’s climate and environment, I wanted to become a scientist to understand what we as humans are doing to our planet. I have been fortunate to go on many expeditions to the Arctic, where I got to see firsthand these changes. Getting to where I am today took a lot of work. I spent many years studying and conducting research at multiple universities. Still, the encouragement and support I received from other scientists and mentors along the way have been invaluable, particularly at times when the research has been exceptionally challenging or when I (as a woman and immigrant) feel a bit on the outside of the science community.

What advice do you have for young people that are interested in pursuing a career in your field?

Study science, read, and write a lot. Go outside, enjoy nature, and get inspired to learn about it. Do a small research project. Science is often made in collaborations, so work with others if you can. Find people who believe in you and give you the strength to keep pursuing your goal.

In front of the Russel Glacier, 2019

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Undergraduate Institution + Degree:

University of Concepcion, Chile, PhD, Marine Biology & Oceanography

Graduate Institution + Degree: 

University of Bremen, Germany, Marine Geosciences

I study chemical fossils (or biomarkers) preserved in sediment (mud) layers that accumulate at the bottom of the ocean or lakes, year after year for thousands or even millions of years, and which we can use to reconstruct changes in the climate of our planet in the past and how it affected ecosystems. Biomarkers are the fats (or lipids) produced by different organisms, such as cholesterol in animals, which can tell us about their life styles and the chemistry of the environments where they live.

I’m particularly interested in times in the past when the temperature of our planet was similar or warmer to what we anticipate towards the end of the 21st century as humankind continues to burn fossil fuels and release greenhouse gases. Thus, by studying past warm events in Earth’s history we can better inform how biology may respond to global change in the near future.

I need good writing skill to write research grant that can fund my research, as well as scientific publications (paper) to communicate their results. It’s also important to be a good communicator as I have to present the results of my research at scientific conferences and during outreach activities. I also need good knowledge of chemistry, biology, physics, geology, and statistics to perform my work.

As a child growing up in the 80s, I was deeply inspired by the documentaries from Jacques Cousteau, a French explorer, conservationist, and filmmaker who showed the beauty of the oceans and how they are threaten by human activities. I remember once observing how much life exists in a single drop of seawater when seeing under a microscope. This image made me feel a desire to sail and explore the ocean to discover its secrets.

I started my career studying Marine Biology and Oceanography in Chile, first as an undergrad and then as a masters student. During this time, I was able to be on research cruises along the Chilean coast, including the beautiful fjords of Patagonia, where I studied how ocean and land connect interact and respond to changes in climate. Later, I decided to obtain a PhD in marine geosciences in Germany, where I studied how marine ecosystems responded to dramatic climate changes in the past, particularly when an asteroid fell on our planet and killed the dinosaurs and many other organisms. Then, I moved to the US as a postdoctoral researcher and a research scientist before I became an assistant professor in the Department of Geological Sciences and the Institute of Arctic and Alpine research at the University of Colorado Boulder in 2014.

What advice do you have for young people that are interested in pursuing a career in your field?

Be passionate about nature and being outdoors. Be curious and don’t be afraid of making mistakes while learning about your surroundings. Also, be passionate about science and its multiple disciplines. The most beautiful part of my work is that I get to apply my knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics, and geology every day, especially when in the field.

By studying past warm events in Earth’s history we can better inform how biology may respond to global change in the near future.

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Undergraduate Institution + Degree:

Northwestern University, Political Science and International Studies

Graduate Institution + Degree: 

Georgia Institute of Technology, MS and PhD in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

I am a paleoceanographer. I study the geochemistry of microfossils found in ocean sediment in order to reconstruct past oceanic conditions. Because the ocean is a major player in the climate system, we can understand a lot about the Earth’s climate history, as well as the climate's capacity to change in the future, by studying past oceanic change.

The beauty of paleoclimate/paleoceanographic science is that it is very interdisciplinary. I get to use all different “parts” of my brain, skills and interests. Having a solid undergraduate background in math, chemistry and physics is important. Geology, oceanography, climate dynamics, and programming are other knowledge bases I draw upon, but I picked those up later in graduate school. Other skills I use are writing and public speaking, in order communicate the work that we do, and people skills in general, because science is a team sport! Working in the lab, I get to apply my nerdy love for detail, and I have also learned how to problem solve on everything from ordering obscure materials to repairing broken equipment. Everyone in our field is stronger in some of these things than others, and I am no different. Sometimes I struggle with nerves about public speaking, but it’s important, and I keep working on it!

I’d always been interested in working in science but was intimidated by the introductory courses for science majors. So, in undergrad I pursued other passions, including politics and international relations. After graduation I worked on a presidential campaign, then worked for 5 years at NASA Headquarters and also briefly at the White House. It was a privilege and honor to be at NASA at the end of the Space Shuttle program and also to serve as a liaison between NASA’s science programs and Congress. However, I got restless escorting other scientists and engineers to Capitol Hill- I still wanted to pursue my own research. I’d also been especially concerned about climate change since Hurricane Katrina struck “next door” to my home in Houston and wanted to personally contribute to the better understanding of our Earth’s systems. So, I started taking the pre-requisite math and science courses in the evenings (this time with homework assistance from some of the nation’s best astrophysicists)! I came to Georgia Tech to study Earth’s climate history, by pursuing paleoceanographic research.

What advice do you have for young people that are interested in pursuing a career in your field?

For any career path, I always recommend students not be shy about reaching out to people in careers they are interested in pursuing. Email someone at your local university or museum- we’re all busy, but if you are able to convey your interests well and come prepared with good questions, many people will be glad to chat. If you’re in high school or higher or higher and are interested in laboratory science, you may also inquire about opportunities to work there part time. This way you can get a better sense for what these jobs are really like day to day and if they are a good fit for you.

Also, aim to do well, but don’t obsess over grades. Take time to explore different interests and hobbies, and don’t let setbacks discourage you. I got an F in my very first college chemistry course! I’ve learned that if you stay curious and let that be your guide, it’s hard to go wrong.

I am sitting on a coring device while on a research cruise in the North Atlantic. We use these devices to retrieve tubes of sediment from the ocean floor, much like how a straw fills up when put in a thick milkshake.

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