Research Goals

My research interests and objectives center upon advancing the knowledge of the terrestrial record of past climate change on timescales that range from centuries to millions of years. This research will benefit our understanding of the modern climate and the mechanisms which cause climate change. I have undertaken research in various geographic locations in order to develop well-dated records of the past extents of glaciers and ice sheets. Although my research generally involves glacial geologic studies, I have broader interests in Quaternary studies and geomorphology.

Detailed field research and geomorphic mapping form the basis of my projects. I apply the surface-exposure dating method which is based on measurements of in-situ produced cosmogenic nuclides (e.g., Beryllium-10). I also use lake and bog sediment records for reconstructing past environmental and climate conditions. This work is done in the Dartmouth Quaternary Geology Laboratories: the Cosmogenic Nuclide Laboratory and Sediment Core Processing Laboratory.

At present, I have ongoing research projects in Greenland, tropical South and Central America, East Africa and North America. Please see my Research Page for more detailed descriptions of these projects and associated publications. Contact me if you would like more information about any of my research.

Please also visit this Rwenzori Science website about my research in East Africa.

Education

  • Ph.D., Geological Sciences, University of Bern, Switzerland (April 2003)
  • M.S., Quaternary Studies, University of Maine, Orono, ME (May 1999)
  • B.S., Geological Sciences and Environmental Studies, Tufts University, Medford, MA (May 1995)

Professional Experience

  • Professor, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH (July 2022-present)
  • Associate Professor, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH (July 2015-June 2022)
  • Assistant Professor, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH (Jan. 2009-June 2015)
  • Doherty Associate Research Scientist, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, NY (Oct. 2007-Dec. 2008)
  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, NY (June 2004-Sept. 2007)
  • University Postdoctoral Fellow, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH (May 2003-May 2004)