The best scientists wear many hats. In the spring of 2022, I will have completed my B.S. in Environmental Geoscience at UNC Chapel Hill with an honors thesis in geochemical stable isotope research. This thesis will be completed with Dr. Xiaoming Liu's ICP-MS laboratory, which I have worked in multiple areas of geochemical research with for all four years of my degree. With full funding for a graduate degree from the Department of Defense SMART Scholarship, I aim to understand and mitigate negative human impacts on our environment using applied interdisciplinary research through a career as a research scientist with the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center. My two years as a student technical support employee, and one year as a senior manager for that position have taught me how to independently problem solve through self-education, as well as how to be an effective and compassionate leader. Working multiple jobs simultaneously throughout the obtainment of my degree has taught me how to be organized, disciplined, and motivated through hardship and setbacks.
Through my research, I have learned the importance of a thorough and well-rounded skill set. Having an interdisciplinary approach to research is crucial in the 21st century, as scientific fields continue to integrate. As a student, I am always looking for new skills and information to learn. To supplement my classwork, I have taken an interdisciplinary approach to geochemical, public health, climate change, and pollution research in Dr. Xiaoming Liu's ICP-MS laboratory. This experience has been valuable in preparation for a research career by teaching me how to self-educate, as seen in my knowledge of statistical programming, ArcGIS/QGIS, and ICP-MS analysis.
My research interests are in carbon capture technologies, oceanography, geochemistry, mineralogy, paleoclimatology, geochronology, paleoceanography, and the application of the geosciences to non-geological fields. I also am keenly interested in research methodology, statistical analysis, technical writing, and data presentation. I believe that the most important skill to have in research, regardless of the field, is the ability to clearly and effectively communicate your findings. Being developed in technical writing, data analysis, and data presentation enables scientists to benefit the public through properly understanding the significance of data, and effectively communicating that significance to others.
Honors thesis research, currently underway. Uses column chemistry and ICP-MS analysis of lithium isotopes from Galapagos soil samples to help build a calibration standard using present-day data in order to build the accuracy of historical chemical weathering data using lithium isotopes.
SURF grant research postponed because of the pandemic, later conducted in a remote capacity the following spring. Elemental data from ICP-MS analysis of NC drinking water samples were used to develop a geospatial profile of six heavy metals associated with CAFO pollution across nine different North Carolina River Basins.
Conducted sedimentological and stratigraphic field research in the Central Tertiary Basin of Svalbard, as well as created models to scale to examine sedimentation over the Paleogene.
Conducted structural, sedimentological, and stratigraphic field research in Cryogenian and Tonian deposits in the northeast of Spitsbergen. Used knowledge of historical geologic events as well as structural maps of the area to determine the ideal spot to drill to find evidence of the Snowball/Slushball Earth Theory.
This study examined the elemental concentrations of various bottled water brands and municipal supplies of water accessible in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The goal of this study was to supply the public with adequate information on water quality and taste to allow the public to make informed decisions on the best drinking water options available in Chapel Hill.
Rising thyroid cancer rates in two locations within Iredell County were hypothesized to be caused by coal ash contamination. Soil samples were taken from five sites with high likelihood of contamination and analyzed via ICP-MS.
Collaborative semester-long research between students enrolled in GEOL 221 (Geology of North America) to learn structural geological field techniques and data analysis skills such as the use of a geological compass, StereoNet, and technical writing.
Continuation and drafting of IDEA Research in IC-PMS Lab for publication. Used R to perform multivariate statistical analysis on sampling data and create choropleth maps, and ArcGIS to examine geospatial links and correlations in data.
Collaborative semester-long research between students enrolled in GEOL 433 (Paleoceanography) to learn modern analog technique from sampling to data analysis. Conducted marine fossil sampling and sediment analysis in seven locations in the Chesapeake Bay area. Cleaned, sorted, and identified marine fossils, estimated historic climate using fossil percent abundances and known data.
Designed and enacted plan for water sampling in sixty drinking water treatment facilities across forty North Carolina Counties. Prepared samples for analysis in wet chemistry lab and analyzed lithium data through ICPMS. Used R to analyze and plot data while accounting for confounding variables. Attended weekly meetings with cohort to learn skills applicable to geoscientific research.
Collaborative semester-long research between students enrolled in GEOL 234 to study chemical and biological origins of calcium carbonate, skeletal structure, and chemo-mineralogy, preservation, sedimentation, and early diagenesis in deep and shallow environmental settings to understand skeletal genesis, limestone origin, and carbonate facies variability. Conducted core sampling in the Everglades and Florida Keys, processed cores using muffle oven and desiccator to determine percent change in organics over time. Created and presented poster at 17th Annual Anadarko Student Research Symposium.
Collaborative semester-long research between students enrolled in GEOL 72H. Conducted hard rock sampling in Eastern California. Prepared samples into carbon-coated polished tiles and analyzed using SEM. Created and presented poster at Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Making Exposition, as well as drafted article for Geology 72H Research Journal.
Collaborative semester-long environmental science research between students enrolled in ENEC 304 to determine success of oyster restoration in the New River inlet near Camp Lejeune. Conducted water temperature, salinity, and oyster spat measurements with researchers from the UNC Institute of Marine Sciences. Used R to analyze data, drafted 30-page research paper on findings as final project.
Honors thesis research, currently underway. Uses column chemistry and ICP-MS analysis of lithium isotopes from Galapagos soil samples to help build a calibration standard using present-day data in order to build the accuracy of historical chemical weathering data using lithium isotopes. Publication is currently in data extraction stage.
Slides from remote presentation of SURF grant research, published in the Carolina Digital Repository. Elemental data from ICP-MS analysis of NC drinking water samples were used to develop a geospatial profile of six heavy metals associated with CAFO pollution across nine different North Carolina River Basins.
Second author on paper published in the Carolina Digital Repository. This study examined the elemental concentrations of various bottled water brands and municipal supplies of water accessible in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The goal of this study is to supply the public with adequate information on water quality and taste to allow the public to make informed decisions on the best drinking water options available in Chapel Hill.
This study seeks to determine a relationship between lithium levels in drinking water and suicide mortality rates in the state of North Carolina. Sampling was conducted at 60 public drinking water treatment facilities across 40 North Carolina counties, and analysis was done using PCA and nonlinear regression in R. Publication is currently in drafting stage.
Conference on the Tectonic and Sedimentary History of Svalbard
The University Centre in Svalbard
Poster
2021 Annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Poster, Abstract, and Presentation
Conference on the Tectonic and Sedimentary History of Svalbard
The University Centre in Svalbard
Poster
Summer Undergraduate Pipeline Research Symposium
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Poster.
17th Annual Anadarko Student Research Symposium
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Poster.
-R
-HTML
-CSS
-JavaScript
-LaTeX
-ArcGIS
-QGIS
-ServiceNow
-Adobe Creative Cloud
-StereoNet
-StraboSpot
-Microsoft Office
-TinkerCAD
-Brackets
-Google Earth Engine
-3D Printing/Design
-Computer Networking/Installation
-Acrylic Cutting/Design
-ICP-MS Analysis
-Geochemistry Laboratory
-Scientific/Technical Writing
-Sample Collection/Prep
-Snowmobile Driving
-Water/Cold Water Rescue
-Cross Country Skiing
-Arctic Survival and Safety
