What am I up to?
Polar Early Career World Summit
Brainstorming in small groups at the Polar Early Career World Summit. We were tasked with thinking about how we can make polar research more accessible, inclisve, and welcoming.
March 2025
Boulder, Colorado
One of the highlights of #ASSW2025 was the Polar Early Career World Summit, co-hosted by the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) and the Polar Early Career Community Office (PSECCO). This three-day event brought together early career researchers from across the global to build community, elevate our piorities, and begin charting a path toward the next International Polar Year in 2032-2033. It was energizing, inspiring, and filled me with hope for the future of polar science.
Photo of the ‘morning blessing’ that took place at the Indigenous Pavilion every day of the ASSW 2025.
Hey that’s me! Taken International Arctic Science Committee welcome meeting.
Me chatting about my poster with some of the other student participants. [Photo credits: Roger Creel].
West Antarctic Ice Sheet Workshop
November 2024
Gainesville, Florida
In November, I had the privilege of attending the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) workshop, an NSF- and NASA-sponsored event dedicated to advancing transdisciplinary research on marine ice sheets and the interconnected Earth systems. The workshop places a particular emphasis on the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and its implications for global coastlines, including those of our host state. This meeting also provides an invaluable platform for students to showcase ongoing research, receive constructive feedback, and connect with fellow early-career scientists.
During the workshop, I presented my poster, “Quantifying Subglacial Groundwater Exfiltration in West Antarctica since the Last Deglaciation.” The experience was incredibly rewarding, and I’m already looking forward to participating in this event again in the future.
My first poster presentation of grad school! [Photo credits: Ryan Venturelli].
March 2025
Boulder, Colorado
In March of 2025, I’ve had the honor of attending Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW) in Boulder, Colorado! This annual gathering brings together Arctic researchers, Indigenous knowledge holders, and poloicy leaders from around the world to shape the future of Arctic science—and with the rapid changes facing the North, these conversations are more critcal than ever.
As a fellow with the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), I had the unique opportunity to attend the conference at no cost and participate in high-level planning and budget meetings—particularly with the Cryosphere Working Group, where I got a front-row seat to the decision-making that drives international polar research.
The second week of the conference included the International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (CARP) IV, a key milestone in developing the science and funding roadmap for the next decade. Eight working groups are drafting strategic priorities, and ASSW served as a space for community members to provide feedback and help refine these documents ahead of their finalization at ASSW 2026 in Aarhus, Denmark.
I’m deeply grateful to IASC for selecting me as a Fellow and for the chance to be part of these exhausting, energizing, and deeply meaningful two weeks. I was especially moved by the intentional inclusion of Indigenous voices, knowledge systems, and leadership throughout the summit. Arctic communities are powerful and resilient, and their perspectives must be centered in all conversations about the Arctic’s future.
Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research Conference
August 2024
Pucón, Chile
This August, I had the incredible opportunity to attend my first graduate school conference: the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Open Science Conference in Pucón, Chile. Held every two years, this renowned event brings together researchers from around the world to share groundbreaking Antarctic science. I presented some preliminary findings from the first chapter of my Ph.D., met several of my science heroes, and enjoyed the region's breathtaking beauty. The Antarctic science community is truly extraordinary, and I feel so fortunate to have been part of such an inspiring and memorable experience.
Me chatting with some JIRP students about glacial hydrology before we got to do some water sampling from a superglacial lake. We are on the hunt for microplastics!
Juneau Icefield Research Program
July 2024
Juneau, Alaska
This summer, I had the privilege of spending a month on the Juneau Icefield in Alaska as teaching faculty for the Juneau Icefield Research Program (JIRP). Established in the 1950s, JIRP provides undergraduate and early-career graduate students with hands-on experience in climate science and glaciology while traversing the entire Juneau Icefield.
During my teaching block, I covered topics such as paleoclimatology, paleoglaciology, isotope geochemistry, cosmogenic nuclides, and more. It was incredibly rewarding to mentor passionate and curious students and to learn alongside the amazing faculty team. This experience was truly unforgettable, and I will cherish the memories for years to come.