Research

My research focuses on stratigraphic and conservation paleobiology where I combine the fields of sequence stratigraphy and paleoecology to investigate depositional environments and ecological community shifts in response to climate-driven perturbations through time (modern – ancient).

I can split my research into two areas: 1) paleoecological analysis of Ordovician reef communities and 2) conservation and paleoecological analysis of modern communities.

Over the past three years, I have overseen eleven directed studies and mentored two honors theses directly related to my research. With undergraduate students (and recently graduated) I have actively presented on these topics, was awarded funding for my research, collaborated with other institutions and I am currently in the final stages of manuscript development on these projects with recently graduated students (who are currently in graduate school).

Dr. Andy Michelson and Dr. Jackie celebrating successful core collection on Conesus Lake during the summer 2019.