Welcome Lorelei!

Lorelei Curtin comes to us from Columbia University in New York where she studies Earth and Environmental Science.  Clearly passionate about her work, Lorelei introduces us to her work explaining, "I provide critical context for potential future climate change scenarios by examining past periods in Earth’s recent history, particularly the Holocene and Last Interglacial periods. I reconstruct past changes in hydrology and temperature, which are poorly understood during these important intervals."  

Lorelei's passion for the Earth seems to stem from her undergraduate career.  She achieved a Bachelor of Arts in Geology with a minor in Environmental Analysis from Pomona College in Claremont, CA.  She continued her scientific journey by branching out and attending the University of Otago in

 

Dunedin, New Zealand.  It was there that she completed her M.Sc. with Distinction in Geology before returning to the states.  Once back in New York, she completed her M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Science.  

If that isn't enough to demonstrate a strong passion for her field, Lorelei has continually held teaching assistantships and pedagogical training positions to broaden and enhance her science experiences.  Her teaching experiences range from tectonics in 2012 to paleoceanography in 2018.  Being active in the classroom as both a student and teacher has afforded Lorelei the opportunity to experience earth sciences on varying levels.  This is sure to broaden her knowledge base and open her mind to new opportunities as she seeks to join the Post-Doctoral team at the University of Wyoming.  She clearly demonstrates these prospects noting,

"I am excited to build an ecosystem-scale understanding of Holocene climate and ecological changes in Wyoming through the use of additional lipid biomarkers, including leaf wax isotopes, alkenones, and mammalian and algal sterols. Furthermore, I am enthusiastic about participating in the Shuman lab as a mentor for graduate and undergraduate student researchers. This research and mentoring experience will help me attain my professional goal of becoming a professor at a small liberal arts college."

With 7 publications (3 published, 1 in review, 3 in preparation) under her belt, numerous honors, awards, and fellowships, and just over $28,000 in grants it is clear that Lorelei is a smart choice for the university's Post-Doctoral program.  Aside from her practical experience, Lorelei is passionate about her work and field of study.  She is not afraid to branch out for new experiences and is willing to tackle any challenges to pursue new opportunities.  We are thrilled to welcome Lorelei to our Post-Doctoral Team at the University of Wyoming!  We cannot wait to see all that she accomplishes during her time on campus.