SKYPE-A-SCIENTIST & LETTERS TO A PRE-SCIENTIST

In my free time (cue laughter), I enjoy chatting with classes about being a scientist! Skype-a-Scientist connects scientists with teachers and classrooms to give students the opportunity to get to know a real scientist and get the answers to their questions straight from the source. I normally discuss my educational and professional background, research interests & current projects, and what it’s like being a scientist, and sometimes more specifically a female scientist in a male-dominated field.

This is also my first year (2022-2023) participating in the Letters to a Pre-Scientist pen pal program. This program pairs students from disadvantaged communities with STEM professionals through snail mail! I’m excited to be matched with an 8th grade student from northern California.

I love revealing connections to science from our everyday lives and answering questions from inquisitive young minds. I hope to impart my enthusiasm for coastal science and the environment. I also seek to demonstrate that anyone can be a scientist, and in fact all of us are!

If you are interested in having me chat with your classroom or group, please feel free to request me through the Skype-a-Scientist platform or contact me directly.

VIRGINIA SCIENTIST-COMMUNITY INTERFACE

The Virginia Scientist-Community Interface (V-SCI) is a coalition of scientists and engineers who are dedicated to getting science into the hands of community members. We are 100% independent and volunteer-based. V-SCI’s mission is to provide scientific expertise for community-driven activism and advocacy in Virginia and the region. We comment on the scientific merit of proposed activities that may affect local communities and the environment.

I am currently working with a team focused on holding Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) accountable. MVP is planning to build a 303 mile natural gas pipeline system that spans from northwestern West Virginia to southern Virginia and crosses close to 200 streams and wetlands. We’re partnered with non-profit organizations like Wild Virginia to assess and document any deficiencies in MVP’s permit applications based on empirical data (or lack thereof).

Based on our review, we’ve identified four critical issues with MVP’s application to switch boring methods. These critical issues are in regard to MVP’s dewatering analysis, geotechnical analysis, consideration of impacts to riparian and wetland zones, and consideration of impacts to endangered species. These deficiencies were outlined in our public comment to FERC.

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