What is your current professional role?
I am a 2nd-year MS studying geoscience at University of North Carolina Wilmington.
What aspects of marine or coastal geoscience do you work on?
My current research involves numerical modeling at the submarine volcano Axial Seamount to understand how the magma chamber roof influences deformation on the seafloor. This past summer, I sailed on the R/V Marcus Langseth to the Blake Plateau. We spent over five weeks at sea collecting and processing bathymetric and multichannel seismic data to understand rifting during the Pangea breakup.
What first interested you in science?
I started college as a criminology major in hopes of becoming a police officer. I was required to take a science class and I chose geology 101. In the course, our professor advertised a near-surface geophysics field experience called Geopaths hosted at Penn State. That following summer I attended the program. I didn’t know much about geology, let alone geophysics, before the camp and was shocked to learn that it was a career option! I was convinced to change my major to geology within a week starting Geopaths. I enrolled in Foundations of Geology the following fall where fell in love with everything geology. I dove straight into tectonics research that winter and flew to Taiwan for field work.
Who have been your greatest mentors?
I am grateful to have had countless mentors since I entered the geoscience field. My undergraduate and graduate advisors, Dr. Jonathan Lewis and Dr. Scott Nooner have had the greatest impact on my life. I first met Jon in my Foundations of Geology class and within a few months, decided to join his lab – Team Tecto! A tectonics lab working to constrain the plastic to brittle transition of Taiwan’s eastern Central Range as it is exhumed. Jon taught me how to work with data, make posters, give presentations, and overall prepared me for graduate school. Now as a graduate student, Scott has allowed me to take the wheel and choose the path I feel is right for me. He always supports me, especially on my newest journey as an ocean-going scientist. He encourages me to apply to new seaward experiences to meet people in the community.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in this field?
Starting out in any field, it is important to focus on what you are passionate about. Finding your passion not only keeps you moving forward but also turns your work into a fulfilling journey.
Where is your favorite coastal location?
Fort Fisher in Wilmington, NC! Ever since I moved to Wilmington, I have been going to Fort Fisher to enjoy the park Basin Trail to look for sharks’ teeth. I collected close to 500 so far!
What are some things (not including work) are you passionate about?
When I was a senior in high school, I began milking cows for a local farm and found I really enjoyed working with dairy cattle! They all have different personalities just as people do and love to eat cookies and sweet treats. I helped out on the farm the remainder of high school and the majority of undergrad and spent weekends, evenings, and summers at the farm. It was a lot of hard work, but I loved every second of it. I knew I would have to leave farming behind for graduate school, but I have high hopes of owning my own dairy farm one day.
When you relax, what do you eat and listen to?
After a nice long day at the beach, I am grabbing Publix sub (Pub Sub) and listening to some Noah Kahan!