(Multi-Proxy) Palaeoenviromental Scientist
I am currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Geography at Kansas State University. Part of my current research focus is on advancing the understanding of long-term ecosystem changes in the prairie-forest ecotones of central North America. Specifically I will be examining how biogeochemical dynamics and processes might adjust as global climate change pushes the system into uncharted terrain. For more information, go to the current research page.
Prior to starting my Postdoc, I obtained my PhD in August, 2011 from The Open University, UK. I investigated the climate and vegetation of the Eastern Andes in Bolivia before and after the arrival of human, using microscopic remains preserved within high altiude lake sediments. For more information on my PhD research go to the previous research page.
Prior to starting my Postdoc, I obtained my PhD in August, 2011 from The Open University, UK. I investigated the climate and vegetation of the Eastern Andes in Bolivia before and after the arrival of human, using microscopic remains preserved within high altiude lake sediments. For more information on my PhD research go to the previous research page.
Research Interests and Background
My research interests developed from my undergraduate degree in Geography at Southampton University. At Southampton I combined studies in palaeoenvironmental change, landscape dynamics and environmental biology with my fascination for montane ecosystems. These interests led me to conducting research projects firstly in the Scottish mountains, and later, in the the Bolivian and Ecuadorian Andes. Despite, leaving the Andes behind, understanding how montane systems are likely to adjust to increasing environmental and anthropogenic pressures remains a key research focus.
Over the course of the the last 8 years i have used a variety of data collection methods and analytical techniques including:
A full list of my research skills and experience is provided in my online CV.
Over the course of the the last 8 years i have used a variety of data collection methods and analytical techniques including:
- microscopic analysis of fossil pollen, spores, charcoal and chironomids
- extraction of limnological records (lake coring)
- botanical surveys
- elemental analysis (Carbon, Nitrogen, Sulphur)
- spectral and magnetic susceptibility analysis
A full list of my research skills and experience is provided in my online CV.
