Research Interests

My research interests are in the areas of paleoclimatology and climate change with particular emphasis on reconstructing tropical temperature and hydrological variability during the Holocene, Pleistocene, and Pliocene. I investigate the drivers of tropical climate variability during different climate states, aiming to assess the Earth’s temperature and hydrological sensitivity to changes in orbital forcing and forcing by greenhouse gases.

As a scientist, I am deeply concerned about the impacts of climate change on our planet and its inhabitants. I have a strong motivation to help combat climate change and contribute to efforts to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions for the benefit of future generations. In addition to my research on the past, I am actively involved in educating students and the public about the science of climate change and advocating for policies that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In my work, I also investigate the impact of changes in rainfall amount on the development and collapse of the Maya civilization as an empirical means to assess potential societal disruptions driven by adverse hydrological conditions. My ultimate goal is to inform and stimulate human adaptive and mitigation responses to climate change, ensuring that we can build a sustainable future for ourselves and the planet.(see the videos below to get an idea of what this research entails).