education, outreach, teaching
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
& Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
2019-2024
Ph. D., Chemical Oceanography
Advisor: David (Roo) Nicholson
Thesis: Tracking carbon fluxes across ocean interfaces using dissolved gas observations
Education
Columbia University
2018
B. A., Environmental Chemistry
Science Research Fellow
Thesis: Carbon dynamics of hyperalkaline Samail Ophiolite peridotite aquifers
Advisors: Peter Kelemen and Wade McGillis
School for International Training
2017
Semester abroad: Iceland and Greenland
Research-focused program on climate change impacts in the Arctic
Research project: Investigating geothermally-sourced hydrogen sulfide (H2S) pollution in the Reykjavík area: a case study of March 2017
Advisor: Dr. Þröstur Þorsteinsson
Outreach
I believe environmental stewardship starts with personal investment in the places we care about, and my passion for the outdoors is deeply interwoven with my commitment to ocean and climate science. Currently, I serve as a Science Alliance member with Protect Our Winters, where I help bridge climate science and the outdoor recreation community to advocate for the wild places we depend on. During my PhD, I served as a peer mediator through the MIT Resources for Easing Friction and Stress (REFS) program and connected with K-12 students through Letters to a Pre-Scientist. I've engaged diverse audiences through public presentations—including as a panelist at COP27's Ocean Pavilion—and hands-on programs like Girls Day at the MIT Museum and Antarctic Week calls with elementary schools. My citizen science work reflects my commitment to water access and quality, including collaborating with citizen scientists through New York's Citizens' Water Quality Testing Program and serving as scientific advisor for +Pool, where I co-developed predictive algorithms for the +Pool Light installation that visualized water quality in real-time. Looking ahead, I dream of developing educational programs that combine science and outdoor recreation to empower people to engage with wild places respectfully and safely, fostering the personal connections that inspire lasting commitment to environmental preservation.
Teaching
I'm passionate about making science accessible and engaging at all levels. At Columbia University, I served as a teaching assistant for multiple chemistry courses (General Chemistry, Intensive Modern Chemistry, and Materials Science and Nanotechnology), where I taught hands-on lab techniques ranging from electrochemistry and spectroscopy to synthesizing ferrofluids and building titanium oxide solar cells. I also led Field Methods in Environmental Engineering, mentoring students in designing local engineering projects and guiding a field excursion to Florida where we deployed novel sensors and mapped greenhouse gas signals in coastal ecosystems. For over a decade, I've tutored students across multiple subjects including chemistry, biology, calculus, Italian, and climate systems. More recently, I've mentored international students to develop and implement independent research projects. Whether in the lab, the field, or the classroom, I'm strive to help students connect scientific concepts to real-world applications and develop the confidence to pursue their own research questions.
