What is your current professional role?
I’m a Senior Research Scientist with the Water Institute, an applied research non-profit. I do a lot of work to help improve management of coastal ecosystem ecosystems and improve the resiliency of coastal communities, particularly through research that supports sustainable sand and sediment management. I also leverage my background in Structured Decision Making to work across everything from groundwater issues to river management to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
What aspects of marine or coastal geoscience do you work on?
A lot of my work has focused on understanding hydrodynamics, sediment transport, and landscape evolution for sandy coastal systems such as barrier islands. I’ve developed and applied numerical models for evaluating and predicting the evolution of these systems on various time scales, everything from change during storms to how barrier islands might look decades into the future.
What first interested you in science?
I’ve always loved puzzles of pretty much any kind. I took an interest in math and science pretty much as soon as I was exposed to them, because to me they felt like the mother lode of fun and interesting puzzles to solve. I was also lucky enough to have an amazing science teacher in junior high school, Mrs. Douglas. She had an incredible knack for connecting science topics to their importance in the world. She transformed my interest into a love of science as something that could be transformative and meaningful, as well as fun and exciting.
Who have been your greatest mentors?
The person I’ll call out is Dr. Brad Butman (formerly USGS), who gave me my first job in science then brought me back as a post-doc. I always felt like my ideas were considered and my contributions acknowledged when working with him even though I was a very junior at the time. I think about that a lot now and I try to follow his example in working with colleagues, peers, and mentees alike.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in this field?
Really think about all your options to find opportunities that are fun, exciting, and meaningful to you, and that let you work with people who support and empower you. Early in your career it can feel like there is a lot of pressure – or even just momentum – limiting your options. You’re more likely to bring your best to your work and well-deserved contentment to yourself if you can look past those pressures to make your own choices, regardless of where that path takes you.
Where is your favorite coastal or marine location?
I’m not sure yet, I haven’t visited them all yet! I do love beaches, from the crashing waves along the Oregon coast to the rocky shorelines of Maine to the dynamic Outer Banks of North Carolina to the history and serene beauty of Ft. Desoto near my home in St. Petersburg, Florida. Of course, I also loved diving the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and Stingray City in Grand Cayman. If you’re looking for travel tips to narrow down vacation plans, I am clearly no help.
What are some things (not including work) are you passionate about?
I love to travel with my family, especially going hiking or other activities outdoors, and I’m a firm believer in the National Parks as “America’s Best Idea”. My husband, two daughters, and I have visited 14 Parks and 20 other National Park Service sites over the past few years, with plans to visit many more. We’re also long-time members of Girl Scouts, and I’m the leader of a troop of 10 middle and high schoolers that does a lot of camping and other activities.
When you relax, what do you eat and listen to?
I’m going to go with listening to Rush while having a full spread of malai kofta curry, basmati rice, raita, and naan. And, of course, a fudge brownie with mint chocolate chip ice cream for dessert.