Climate Researcher and Forest Fire Caroline Jureg – Planet State

As Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Earth Sciences and the Environment at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Caroline Jureg is currently investigating how the climate affects forest fires in the west of the United States, pressing in front of the recent fires of Angels and catastrophic. She uses satellite data, large data sets and statistical modeling to try to understand such natural risks in the context of modern climate. “Under the climate change caused by humans, the possibilities of conditions of promotion of forest fire can only increase, since warm temperatures can become even warmer,” she says.

In the questions and answers below, Juic analyzes the importance of collaboration in scientific research; how it is motivated by your passion to increase access to opportunities in Stem; and the climatic conductors of the forest fire.

How did you get into science and what is your focus area?

Explore as many things as possible through classes, excursions and summer camps opened my eyes to the scientific world, with the help of my parents support. The little things in these programs, such as seeing a dragonfly emerge from its nymph shell to an adult dragonfly, and walking on a catwalk through an inflatable swamp, inspired me to observe the world more closely. Request an internship at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in 12th grade as high school interning my interest in Earth’s science: I was surprised . Working with landslides was my first real experience of research in Earth Sciences.

Many years later, I was inspired to study forest fires in the west of the United States after witnessing the harmful effects of forest fires on human health and homes after Thomas’s fire and the subsequent mud flows of Montecito in 2018.

Although forest fires are important for some plants to help with the dispersion of seeds or for the ground, I am learning to work with my ph.D. Advisor, Park Williams, about Wildfire climate -related drivers. Heating and drying are promoting larger fires in recent decades, in addition to other conditions, such as fire management history and extreme climate. Los Angeles fires are a devastating example of how many forest fire promotion conditions can lead to rapid forest fires, in this case, two wet winners that led to great growth of vegetation as a fuel for the fire this year; a very warm summer that dried the fuel; And then an extreme wind event. As long as there is a source of ignition, the dice are stacked so that the fires spread rapidly. My colleague Gavin Madakumbura, a postdocs in the Williams laboratory, co -author of a great article Explaining the forest fires of Los Angeles. [You can read State of the Planet’s recent coverage of the fires here.]

Is there a woman in science, Columbia or otherwise, who inspired you?

As a young student, I admired Christ Mcauliffe, teacher and astronaut of the United States. The students was inspiring. Although he never had to achieve that dream, his determination and passion for teaching science and forces me to make my research accessible to students and the public and inspire the next generation. In Columbia, I am inspired by Dorothy Peteet’s work, who gently offers his time advising my committee when he is not until his knees in a swamp or in the lake in search of signs of climate change and human history. You can look at microscopic seeds and follow great questions about the climate history of the earth through chemistry and scientific modeling. His love for the wetlands he studies is captivating, and is carried out to his teaching and work to preserve swamps.

Do you have any advice for younger women or girls who are interested in entering the field?

Science is not done alone. We collaborate on research questions and base in the past of scientists more senior. Interferea yourself in interesting science clubs, extracurricular activities or excursions where you can meet other women and girls passionate about science. In those spaces, you will always find mentors who would love to teach you, get involved in their work and help you find your own path. He will also be in a space to find allies and friends with whom he can find community as he challenges the challenges of a career in science.