About

I am an Assistant Professor in the Earth and Environmental Sciences department at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA.

I am a paleoclimate scientist. My main research focuses on using the geochemistry from carbonate proxies, such as corals and mollusk shells, to reconstruct the climate over the last several hundred to several thousands of years. One of my main research interests is understanding past variability of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) from the mid-Holocene using fossil corals from the central tropical Pacific. My goal is to understand how ENSO is sensitive to external forcings, such as solar insolation, with possible implications to the greenhouse gas forcing. More locally, I am researching changes in rainfall patterns in the Chesapeake Bay region to better understand how the present-day rainfall patterns are related to natural variability versus human-induced climate change. Additionally, I enjoy working on local issues students have an interest in, such as urban heat island effect and carbon emissions.

Beyond my research, I love teaching and sharing my enthusiasm about science and educating others about the global climate and ocean system and the human impacts. When I am not in the field or the lab, you’ll find me outside enjoying one of the too many hobbies I have – running, biking, swimming, kayaking, SCUBA diving, hiking, backpacking, camping, etc! And maybe most importantly, I am a SCIENCE MOM to the two most beautiful boys.