Curriculum Vitae
Professional Experience
AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Sep. 2017 – present
Research Physical Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey, 2016 – 2017
Science Communication Intern, Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography, Oct. – Nov. 2016
Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow, U.S. Geological Survey, 2014 – 2016
Graduate Research Assistant, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2009 – 2014
Education
Ph.D., 2014, Chemical Oceanography, Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program in Oceanography
Thesis Title: Spatial and temporal dynamics of biogeochemical processes in the Fraser River, Canada: A coupled organic-inorganic perspective [download]
B.S., 2009, magna cum laude in Oceanography with College Honors and a minor in Chemistry, University of Washington
Science Outreach
Co-Chair of AAAS STPF Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science Affinity Group, 2018 – present
Participant in World Wildlife Fund Lobby Day, Washington, D.C., Mar. 2018
Volunteer for National Ocean Science Bowl competitions: 2007 – 2018
Volunteer Science Interpreter for Denver Museum of Nature and Science Girls & Science Day, USGS Alaska Climate Detectives Clubhouse, Mar. 2018
Speaker for MIT Intramural Activities Period Community Climate Science Seminar and ClimateX Community Science Webinar, 2016 – 2017
Volunteer Science Fair Judge
Washington D.C. STEM Network Elementary and Secondary Schools, 2018
Falmouth, MA, Secondary Schools, 2010 – 2014
Volunteer with Consortium for Aquatic Science Societies at USA Science and Engineering Festival, Washington, D.C., Apr. 2018
Volunteer Organizer for Fossil Free MIT and MIT Alumni for Climate Action Leadership, 2013 – 2017
Co-Organizer of Geoethics Session at AGU Fall Meeting, 2014
Volunteer Scientific Contributor to Climate Feedback Project, 2014 – 2017
Scientific Consultant to Fraser River Discovery Centre’s “My River, My Home” science-art exhibit and teacher resource kits, 2013 – 2014
Volunteer Workshop Leader for annual Women in Science and Engineering Day at Bay View Academy, RI, 2011 – 2013
Volunteer with Zephyr Education Foundation in Woods Hole, MA, 2012 – 2013
Earth & Environmental Science Research
Postdoctoral Research, Sep. 2014 – Jul. 2017
I quantified natural and anthropogenic terrestrial sources and in-stream transformation of carbon in major tributaries of the Upper Mississippi River basin. Advisors: Dr. Kimberly Wickland, Dr. Ted Stets, Dr. Robert Striegl, Dr. George Aiken (USGS)
Graduate Thesis Research, Sep. 2009 – Aug. 2014
I studied organic and inorganic chemical evidence of the influence of mineral weathering and biological activity on the fate of terrestrial organic carbon en route to the coastal ocean through extensive laboratory and field research and international collaborations. Advisors: Dr. Bernhard Peucker-Ehrenbrink (WHOI) & Prof. Timothy Eglinton (ETH-Zürich)
Undergraduate Research at the University of Washington: Sep. 2007 – Jun. 2009
I analyzed “spices” (lignin subunits such as natural and synthetic flavoring agents, perfumes, and home care products) as novel tracers of anthropogenic inputs to Puget Sound. Advisor: Prof. Richard Keil
NOAA Hollings Scholarship Research at Hollings Marine Lab, Charleston, SC, Summer 2008
I isolated, purified, and structurally characterized novel toxins and pigments from marine and freshwater algae. Advisor: Dr. Peter Moeller
DAAD-RISE Internship Research at GEOMAR Institute for Marine Science, Kiel, Germany, Summer 2007
I analyzed dissolved inorganic carbon distributions in the North Atlantic Ocean from samples I collected during a cruise on a container ship. Advisors: Tobias Steinhoff and Dr. Arne Körtzinger
Other Professional Activities
Environmental Law Institute Summer School Series, 2018
Water Fluency Certificate from Colorado Foundation for Water Education, 2016
Technical research presentations at international scientific conferences on aquatic science, geochemistry, soil science, and general Earth science, 2010 – 2016
Invited research presentations in India, Canada, and Switzerland, 2012 – 2014
Peer reviewer for technical research journals including:
Water Resources Research
Journal of Hydrology
Environmental Science and Pollution Research
Membership in professional Earth and environmental science societies including:
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography
Society for Freshwater Science
Women’s Aquatic Network
American Geophysical Union
Awards and Honors
U.S. Geological Survey Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2014
Friends of Switzerland Stratton Fellowship, 2014
American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting Outstanding Student Presentation (Earth & Planetary Surface Processes Section), 2013
WHOI Coastal Ocean Institute Student Research Award ($1,470), 2013
WHOI Ocean Ventures Fund Research Award ($10,000), 2012
UW Dept. of Oceanography L. M. Backus Scholarship, 2008
NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship, 2007
Mary Gates Foundation Undergraduate Research Scholarships, 2006 and 2007
State of Washington College Scholarship, 2005
Special Skills & Interests
Languages: English (native), German (proficient conversational and written), Spanish (basic conversational and written)
Software competencies: MS Office, Google Docs, Wordpress, iMovie
Science communication for improving awareness of climate change and connections between humans and the environment
Diversity, equity, and inclusion in science
Community-driven citizen science