Tell us a little bit about yourself. I grew up in Colorado along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. I am passionate about the outdoors and spending time in nature. In my free time, I enjoy skiing, mountain biking, hiking, paddle boarding, disc golf, fitness, and cooking. I recently got into BBQing (smoked meats and veggies), and various fermentation projects (kombucha and fermented hot sauce).
What kind of scientist are you and what do you do? I am a solid-earth geophysicist and my research lies at the intersection of tectonics, geophysics, structural geology, and basin analysis. I am interested in the structure and evolution of the Earth’s lithosphere at tectonic plate boundaries. I primarily use active-source geophysical data to indirectly image the properties of rocks deep in the subsurface that we cannot “see” otherwise. I get excited about using new technology to make stronger connections between tectonic processes and the geologic record. My research studies processes in the Earth’s lithosphere on both geologic time scales and human time scales. Tectonic plates move very slow, so it can be challenging to think about dynamics that take place over millions of years! I am also interested in geology on human time scales, such as earthquakes, volcanic events, and the role of geosciences in providing energy for our society.
What is your favorite part about being a scientist, and how did you get interested in science? I got interested in geology at a young age growing up in Colorado Springs where I was naturally curious about strange rock formations, such as the vertical sedimentary rocks in the Garden of the Gods. I decided to attend Western Colorado University, a small school in Gunnison, Colorado. In the Western geology program, I was exposed to the incredible rock formations and was fascinated by the stories they told about Earth’s past. I also became interested in mathematics and ended up getting a double major in geology and math. After graduation, I wanted to combine geology and math which led me into geophysics and PhD studies at UT Austin. At UT, I was fortunate to participate in several marine field expeditions that got me very excited about sea-going research and all the amazing tectonic processes happening in the Earth’s oceans. What I love most about my work is the feeling of exploration and discovery and contributing to our knowledge about some of the remote areas of our planet.
How did you learn about scientific ocean drilling? I first came across scientific ocean drilling in graduate school where I was learning about the history of Plate Tectonic theory. I was amazed at how much we could learn by sampling rocks in the oceans where we cannot easily “see” them like rocks on land. I am very grateful to participate in a scientific ocean drilling expedition and contribute to the legacy of the program.
How does your work contribute to the betterment of society in general? My research helps us better understand aspects of plate tectonics that we still have outstanding questions: How do continents break apart and form new oceans? How do subduction zones initiate and terminate? Why do some faults break in large earthquakes and others release energy slowly? I am passionate about sharing the joy of geosciences with the public. General knowledge of the geosciences is important for many pressing problems in society: climate change, energy industry, life on earth, and hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis. Nearly 40% of the global population lives within 100 km of the coastline where there are many geologic processes that can affect their lives. I hope that my research on geologic hazards at tectonic plate boundaries will help strengthen our societal resilience to these events and better understand the risks and threats to various communities.
What advice do you have for prospective scientists? Anyone can do science! I had a non-traditional background into science and was a bad student in high-school. At that time, I would never have thought I would be capable of getting degrees in geology and mathematics and doing science for a living! It turns out that success in academia is really about good mentorship and finding what you are passionate about. Just because you were not good at something does not mean it will always be that way. I am fortunate to have had a lot of amazing mentors and teachers along my journey that were patient, supportive, and gave me unwavering encouragement. Don’t fear the failures (which are inevitable), but instead stay determined and follow your dreams.