Rachel in Action
Trained marine scientist (biogeochemistry) turned data scientist. I have interdisciplinary experiences in chemistry, environmental science, marine and fresh water science, and oceanography, but have the most experience in statistical analysis and investigating patterns of variability. Skilled in Matlab & R, with a soft spot for public speaking and outreach.
I am a PhD candidate in Marine Sciences with a Masters of Science in Oceanography. I have extensive experience with data and statistical analysis in Earth sciences. I am interested in investigating patterns of variability in the natural environment, having focused on inorganic and organic nutrient tranformations as well as environmental factors relevant to physical oceanography.
The majority of my research is done in estuarine systems. Estuaries are unique due to several qualities, including: concentrated growth of photosynthesizers, shallow water, which allows light to alter nutrient compounds, & exchanges with the sediment, as well as additions from coastal aquifers, that can affect nutrient cycling in the environment. Estuaries can also be primary indicators of eutrophication & other anthropogenic impacts, & should be closely studied in order to recognize the beginnings of large-scale environmental changes before they occur.
My current research focus is on sources, transport, alterations & fate of organic compounds in marine environments. This includes molecular characterization of marine/estuarine dissolved organic matter (DOM), especially considering microbial- & photochemical-derived changes in DOM composition.
Large datasets are ubiquitous in this era of science, with data availability often outnumbering analysis availability. I am interested in combining relevant datasets to uncover new patterns from existing information.
Environmental Science
Environmental Policy
Scientific Research
Data Analysis
Research Diving
Water Quality Analysis
Boating / Fieldwork
YSI
Matlab / R
Geoscience Statsistics
PCA / EOF
FT-ICR MS
Teaching
Consulting
Public Speaking
Lab / Environmental Safety
Long range transport & carbon & nitrogen dynamics of floating seagrass wracks in Greater Florida Bay - Estuarine, Coastal & Shelf Sciences
Assessing the contribution of seasonality, tides, & microbial processing to dissolved organic matter composition variability in a Southeastern US estuary - Frontiers in Marine Science
CAWS Dr. Michael Lefor Research Grant, $ 1000
2018-2023 University of Georgia | Doctor of Philosophy- Marine Sciences
2013-2015 University of Connecticut | Master of Science- Oceanography
2010-2013 University of Connecticut | Bachelor of Science- Marine Science