First, I should be updating this more often than I do. I will do more of this.
Second, the good news is that we’ve been generating a lot more data. This has been facilitated by use of both the Kiel Delta IV AND the Isoprime at LDEO, and we’ve been getting good results (for the most part) with each. We have almost doubled the amount of data, and now it’s a question of data analysis – that, and preparing for AGU!
In a seminal paper last year [ok, some sarcasm there], Yi et. al argued (at the end) that extreme events can cause grassland ecosystems to absorb less carbon. I know – that was my hypothesis and contribution to the paper, which was borne from a class project and furthered by an AGU poster. In the latest issue if Nature, Reichstein et al. (2013) have written about Climate Extremes and the Carbon Cycle. While I’ve not had a chance to digest it fully, I have some thoughts. Continued reading >
The cold and wet weather in Europe is now having an effect on UK food production, according to an article in yesterday’s Guardian. Wheat yields are down 30%, crops are coming in later and food prices are rising. This is in addition to the catastrophic flooding in Europe, which is the worst in Bavaria in over 500 years. Continued reading >
It’s official, I am a PhD Candidate! I have successfully defended my dissertation proposal, and now it’s just writing the dissertation, right?
It’s AGU time! This year’s science pilgrimage to San Francisco will be quite exciting. I’m presenting a poster on my main research this year, and it will be the public unveiling of my current findings. The field isn’t that large, so first impressions will be very important. We have some good data, so I think we’re going to be ok.
Continued reading >
Many scientists are actually quite fun and funny people, and can sometimes be quite well-rounded. This is pretty apparent in this list of gene names in the genome of Drosophila, our little fruit fly friend.
Argh.
The job that I want is now open. I will be in school for at least 2 more years.
My alma mater is hiring a tenure track position in paleoclimatology and oceanography – which is what i do. They want you to teach historical geology, which i do. And it’s in a city that i actually like, despite being somewhat sleepy and quite cold. But I can’t even apply, and once filled, whomever is there is there for life.
I’ve often been told that in academia, timing is everything for getting a job. Is the job you want available 3 years too soon? Or maybe the job you want doesn’t come up until you’ve been out of academia for a little while.
Timing. And unfortunately, at least in this case, my timing is off.
There is a certain joy that all researchers must feel when finally beginning to generate their own data. Well, I am now, happily, feeling that joy. Continued reading >
No, really! At 2:53 EDT, I felt a slight shaking – enough to notice, and long enough for me to notice, look around, and then walk outside and see what was happening. At first I thought it was something like construction, but I don’t think the Verizon people can cause the whole building to move. Then I noticed all my neighbors, out on their stoops, asking if anyone else felt that.
Continued reading >
So, I was hoping to provide updates on what it is that I’m doing. Right now, I’m waiting. Continued reading >
