Meet our July STEMSEAS transit participants:
Instructors
Dr. Stephen Pekar, a geology professor at Queens College, has been investigating past climate and oceanographic changes during times (16- 45 million years ago) when CO2 was as high as what is predicted for this century (500-1000 ppm). As CO2 is rising rapidly today, which is predicted to be like putting our climate on a “hot plate,” exploring these times for him is like “Looking Back to Our Future.” To investigate climate change of the past, he looks at sediments, microfossil, and geochemical data obtained from cores obtained from near-shore to deep-sea locations ranging from the tropics to Antarctica. His research has taken him on expeditions around the world, including four to Antarctica, during one of which he was project leader.
Dr. Kaatje Kraft has been teaching geology at the community college level for over 15 years and is currently at Whatcom Community College in Bellingham, WA. Her research interests are in factors that influence student persistence in the geosciences, particularly with community college students.
Dr. Joseph Montoya is a biological oceanographer with research interests at the interface of biology and geochemistry. His lab specializes in studies of the marine nitrogen cycle and the role of N2-fixation (diazotrophy) in structuring the flow of nitrogen and energy through planktonic ecosystems. Much of his lab’s work has focused on N cycle processes in marine ecosystems using a combination of direct experimental rate measurements and stable isotope natural abundance approaches. More recently, Dr. Montoya’s lab has become deeply involved in studies of the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on offshore ecosystems of the Gulf of Mexico. The Montoya lab research program is highly interdisciplinary, incorporating work in plankton biology, marine chemistry, and isotope biogeochemistry both at sea and in the lab.
Students
Hi, my name is Cheyenne Hinson. I am Tennessee girl studying at The University of Tampa. My majors are marine science and biology. I am most passionate about the ocean. I have been in love with it since I was little. This led me to my goal of becoming a research scientist to further conservation of the world’s oceans and the organisms that live in it. I am currently gaining experience in the field by volunteering at The Clearwater Marine Aquarium in their marine mammal department. I hope to further my knowledge and create friendships during this voyage. 🙂
My name is Dagny Ysais and I’m a senior at CSU Monterey Bay, where I study marine science. When I’m not working or at school, I’m diving, at the aquarium, exploring Monterey, or watching Netflix.
Eduardo Centeno is an Earth and Environmental Science and French Studies double major at Wesleyan University who was born and raised in Boston, MA. He is a proud Dominican and Costa Rican who loves to play sports and learn about climate change.
Alhasan Alshaarbaf is a Biology major at Houston Community College.
Iris Romo is Geology major at Portland Community College, Pokémon trainer, and lover of all things science.
David Guel-Cisneros is an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at El Paso; majoring in geology. David’s goal is to attend graduate school at the University of Texas in El Paso. When not out exploring the local geology El Paso has to offer, David enjoys keeping up with football and listening to music.
Kathryn O’Connor is a student at Whatcom Community College. She loves traveling and finding unexpected places. While on a roadtrip with my aunt, she missed their turnoff to get back onto the main road and discovered a great museum they didn’t know existed.
Layton Neil studies the geosciences at Queens College (CUNY) New York, majoring in Geology with a minor in Environmental science. He has presented independent study research at two major conferences in Texas and Albany while completing his associate’s and bachelor’s degrees at Kingsborough Community College (CUNY) and Queens College, respectively. He is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa-Xi Kappa Chapter Honors Society since May 2013. When he isn’t glued to the computer, he enjoys watching animal planet, wrestling (WWE), and exercising. He is currently working on the Paleocene Epoch with his mentor, Dr. Stephen Pekar.
My name is Neeshell Bradley-Lewis. I am currently a sophomore at Appalachian State in Boone, NC. I am double majoring in Geology and Archaeology.
My name is Teverrick Chee. I am 24 years old and grew up in a small Valley called Rabbit Brush, near Fort Defiance Arizona. I am a environment science student attending Navajo Techincal University in Crownpoint, New Mexico.
Nia Bush is a strong, courageous, cautious student at Jackson State University. She stays with her grandparents while going to school, and is currently studying Biology with an Environmental Science concentration. Nia loves to try new things and have amazing experiences. She has recently ridden in a helicopter and plans to go para-sailing when she has the opportunity and means. She’s been to Paris, France and would like to go on a trip somewhere out of the country after completing her degree. Nia graduates in Spring 2018.
