Geosciences Researcher Gemma Sahwell Embraces Interdisciplinary Approaches
Discussion Highlight: Conversation with Gemma M. Sahwell
Gemma Sahwell, a PhD candidate in the Geosciences department at Princeton University, is making waves in her field by integrating environmental storytelling into her research. As a member of both the Blue Lab and the Higgins Research Laboratory, Sahwell is at the forefront of interdisciplinary research, combining geosciences and storytelling to provide insights into the earth's past and future.
Sahwell's research focuses on evaluating the efficacy of shallow-water carbonate rocks as archives of seawater chemistry through geologic history. This research has led her to question the extractive nature of geological research and prompted her to consider how she chooses the samples for her scientific work.
In an effort to be more mindful of her impact, Sahwell is integrating elements of environmental storytelling into her scientific work by tracking the provenance of fossil coral samples. This approach involves using narratives to convey scientific findings more effectively, making complex environmental issues more accessible to a broader audience.
Sahwell's interdisciplinary project was inspired by conversations with Professor Allison Carruth. She advises that the plan for research may change over time and encourages students to persevere in interdisciplinary research.
Sahwell's interest in this subject was sparked after working as a research assistant at the American Museum of Natural History and visiting Princeton to discuss her research with John Higgins. One of her fossil corals was collected as a part of a United States Geological Survey (USGS) expedition to study radiation leftover in the landscape after nuclear weapons were detonated in the Marshall Islands during the cold war.
In addition to Sahwell, another investigator at the Blue Lab and the Higgins Research Laboratory, Rebecca Cho, aspires to explore multifaceted interests in geosciences and environmental justice.
Laboratories like the Blue Lab or Higgins Research Laboratory might foster collaboration between geoscientists, environmental storytellers, media specialists, and social scientists. This interdisciplinary collaboration can lead to innovative research and communication strategies that integrate scientific rigor with engaging narratives.
For precise details about specific research projects, it would be best to consult publications or direct sources from the researchers or the laboratories involved. Readers can learn more about the work of investigators like Gemma at the Blue Lab and the Higgins Research Laboratory. Sahwell is grateful for the opportunity to discuss her interdisciplinary passions and encourages others to explore the intersection of geosciences and storytelling.
- Gemma Sahwell, in her work on junior paper that focuses on evaluating seawater chemistry archives in shallow-water carbonate rocks, has been exploring the intersections of geosciences and environmental storytelling, emphasizing the importance of mindful sampling for her research.
- In the realm of education and self-development, online courses and resources offer opportunities for students to delve into environmental science and climate-change research, just as Sahwell did when she was inspired by her experience working with John Higgins and the American Museum of Natural History.
- The collaboration between researchers like Sahwell and environmental storytellers, media specialists, and social scientists at labs like the Blue Lab and Higgins Research Laboratory is an essential component of promoting climate-change education and sustainable environmental practices, making complex environmental issues more accessible and engaging for a broader audience.