Biography

As a cryosphere scientist, my focus lies in understanding how alterations in mountain snowpack and glacier ice influence the energy and water balance. My research focuses on 1) observing the retreat of glaciers in High Mountain Asia, a vital freshwater sources for nearly two billion people, 2) monitoring the central Utah snowpack to enhance our understanding of snow melt processes and water resource availability, and 3) filling in the gaps in knowledge within terrestrial hydrology for snow and ice dominated watersheds. An integral component of my research involves measuring the various factors influencing radiative and turbulent surface energy fluxes over snow and ice, such as surface albedo feedbacks, thermal attenuation of supraglacial debris-cover, and the energy shifts resulting from vegetation changes post-fire. Key tools I use in my investigations involve satellite and UAV remote sensing techniques, meteorological instrumentation, and numerical modeling.

As a physical geographer, my perspective is rooted in understanding the interconnected relationships within the environment. Through the observation of physical laws and relationships, we acquire invaluable insights for the stewardship of Earth's physical and biological systems. The undeniable interconnection between society and the environment means that societal changes are inherently tied to environmental shifts. Given the impact of anthropogenic climate change on our planet, it is crucial that we enhance our understanding of how Earth systems will react in the face of these ongoing changes.

In my leisure time, I enjoy exploring the great outdoors with skis, ropes, maps, family, dogs, or simply my own two feet. I am passionate about Earth science education and promote hands-on, experiential learning in the classroom. I believe Earth science concepts are best understood when they align with firsthand experiences.

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