Postdoctoral Researcher

• Sep 2023 - Present

Postdoctoral research position supporting the Rising Voices Changing Coasts (RVCC-Hub). Research broadly focuses on convergence science spaces between indigenous knowledges and western science. Research interests in indigenous data sovereignty in the geosciences, geospatial systems, and data infrastructure. Products from the RVCC ultimately support indigenous communities to actualize their self determination and sovereignty in research spaces. This role is funded by the National Science Foundation and awarded to Haskell Indian Nations University. Show less

Postdoctoral Scholar

• Sep 2021 - Sep 2023

Doctor of Philosophy - Geology

• Jan 2017 - Mar 2023

PhD research focuses on understanding the Neogene displacement history of the Denali fault System and its role in the Cenozoic tectonic development of the southern Alaska convergent margin. Neogene sedimentary basins located south of the Denali Fault in the eastern Alaska Range are used as long term records of earth surface processes. Methods in my research include Zircon Geochronology (Detrital and Igneous), Ar/Ar Geochronology, Field Mapping, Stratigraphic Analysis. This dataset is used in tandum with offshore data from the IODP Exp 341 Scientific Drilling Expedition to examine both the upper plate and lower plate Cenozoic record of an evolving convergent margin system Show less

Master of Science - Geology

• Aug 2013 - Dec 2016

Masters Research- Masters research focuses on integrating U-Pb detrital zircon and Ar-Ar geochronologic methods to understand the sedimentary response to strike-slip development along the Denali fault system in the eastern Alaska Range in the last 5 Ma. Basin analysis of two sedimentary basins located north and south of the Denali fault also provides the opportunity to understand the amount of displacement along this part of the Denali fault system and also provides insight into the development of some of highest topography in North America.- The results of this research as led to the development the first chronostratigraphic framework for the McCallum basin located near the headwaters of the Delta River in the eastern Alaska Range. My Masters work prompted me to develop a basin conveyor hypothesis about the development of Neogene basins located to the south of the Denali fault system using a similar approach to the McCallum basin. This research will be a part of my Ph.D. work will provide the necessary experience to achieve my personal and educational career goals. Show less

Student

• Aug 2007 - Dec 2011

Graduated with a B.S. degree in Geology (Environmental Option) on December 16th 2011. I stayed at Fort Lewis College for an additional two years after graduating to meet graduate school prerequisites. Graduated with a B.S. degree in Geology (Environmental Option) on December 16th 2011. I stayed at Fort Lewis College for an additional two years after graduating to meet graduate school prerequisites.

Researcher

• Jun 2010 - Jul 2010

Summer research funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. My summer project involved understanding the geomorphic effects of large organic debris in a tributary (Warner Creek) to the Ashokan Reservoir north of New York City. The Ashokan Reservoir is a major source for drinking water for New York City. During eight weeks, I completion of Warner Creek stream reconnoissance along side the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC-DEP). During the reconnoissance, I walked 9 miles of stream and recorded bank erosion, large organic debris, and stream bed changes with a GPS unit. Data gathered over the summer was imported into GIS for spatial analysis. Results were presented at the end of the summer. My research was continued past the summer and subsequently used as my undergraduate senior thesis after further analysis was done in GIS including the use of new LiDAR data of the research area. Show less