Research Interests
Some info on what I care about and what I want to do.
Oceanography
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My primary interest and research focus is oceanography, particularly the study of changing conditions of physical processes in the ocean. I am most interested in studying the ocean at the polar interface, to learn more about ocean interaction with ice sheets, shelves, sea ice, and glaciers. I am also fascinated by changing surface-level conditions, like wave events, temperature anomaly, and El Niño patterns. For me, it is exciting to participate in a field that is still finding novel ways to observe ocean conditions and make new discoveries.
Polar Science
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I have a strong interest in the study of the polar regions because they are the most rapidly changing area of the globe, with huge implications for climate, ecosystems, and human society. I believe it is critically important to create public understanding of polar science, and to create high quality, timely research on a key but in some ways poorly understood part of the Earth system. I hope to research the ice-ocean interface and document changes in the landscape, such as the melting of ice sheets or collapse of ice shelves and glaciers.
Field Work
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I am particularly excited about the prospect of field work within my area of study. It is difficult to feel connected to my work or research without seeing changes firsthand, and I find personal experience to be especially powerful when communicating the importance of environmental research. Part of the challenge in understanding the oceans and polar regions comes from their inaccessibility. I hope that I can not only analyze data sets but also be a part in the expeditions to measure the environment directly.
Public Outreach
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While not a ‘research’ interest, I hope to make a meaningful difference in public understanding regardless of my field. I feel that the actions taken by both private individuals and government organizations are only rarely based on scientific consensus; meanwhile, anti-intellectualist movements are a direct concern for human and environmental wellbeing. While bridging the gap is difficult, I believe it is incredibly important to understand the nuance and somewhat uncertain nature of scientific findings while also appreciating the important outcomes of established fact.
Intersectionality
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In 2020 and onwards, I’m excited to see all the attention being drawn to uplifting marginalized people and communities in scientific disciplines. I want to be an ally for those who have not always been welcomed, and help minimize the racial and gender disparities present in field work and the physical sciences. In particular, it is important in the context of polar science to understand and respect indigenous communities any time that researchers are studying their land, and I hope to be part of a lab that can tackle some of these complex issues as well as our research.
Programming
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Through my classes, work, and now personal research, I’ve learned MATLAB and I enjoy using my code to find novel ways to interpret data and present my findings. I’m also excited to get better at Python and other platforms so I can further expand my own toolbox. I enjoy coming up with spontaneous new ideas and testing them out with scripts, as well as writing my own non-work related code projects.
Teaching
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