Assistant Professor, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, USA

AGU embraces the global community and welcomes diverse leaders from around the world, representing various identities, voices, and perspectives. List any identities, voices, and perspectives you would bring, including but not limited to nationality, regional representations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and any other identity you feel comfortable sharing.

As a cisgender white woman, I have first-hand experience of the effects of systematic bias against women in science, but I also benefit from the privileges of my whiteness and sexual orientation. I push myself to be aware of intersectionality and to use that awareness to help in efforts to disband discriminatory practices, policies, and cultures in science. I also strive to infuse topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion in my research, teaching, and service activities.

It is a privilege to represent the University of California, Merced, with designations as a Hispanic Serving Institution and Asian American Native American Pacific-Islander Serving Institution. Our campus sits in the rural, agricultural heart of the state, and was established in 2005 to serve these underserved communities. Our student population is highly diverse and nearly three-quarters are first-generation college students.

Volunteer experience that relates to this position:

Co-convener of the AGU session, “The Bio-atmospheric N Cycle” since 2012. Associate Editor for Agronomy Journal since 2019 and acknowledged as an Outstanding Associate Editor in 2019 and 2020. Reviewer of manuscripts for a wide range of journals. Critical Ecology Board Member since 2020. Merced Vernal Pool and Grassland Reserve Faculty Advisory Board Member (2019-2021) and Chair since 2021. UC Merced Faculty Advisory Committee on Sustainability member since 2020.

As one of the elected leaders of your section, how will you partner with your president and president-elect to communicate with and engage your members to help implement AGU’s strategic plan including its mission and vision?

AGU’s 2020 strategic plan builds upon a long history of scientific discovery and challenges us to work in broad partnerships to advance solutions-based science. Central to this mission is a scientific culture that promotes belonging, access, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. The Biogeosciences section is well poised to play a key role in achieving AGU’s vision. The interdisciplinary fields within Biogeosciences are the foundation of understanding how Earth’s systems function, quantifying the effects of human actions on planetary boundaries at local to global scales, and innovating creative and inclusive solutions to societal challenges. Members of our section, including volunteers in the recently formed Committee of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (B-DEI), are leading efforts to raise awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion and to take actions in promoting an inclusive scientific culture.

I am passionate about bridging discovery and solution-based science, and I devote time to developing long-lasting partnerships with organizations to build this bridge, co-creating knowledge with communities, and fostering inclusivity in research. As Secretary, I will work closely with the leaders and members in our section to take bold actions towards achieving AGU’s strategic plan. In particular, I will support efforts to better engage and equip section members with the understanding and skills to engage with stakeholders on solutions-based research through sustained partnerships, while maintaining the rigor evidence-based science. I will also support B-DEI efforts, including establishing a mentorship program and networking opportunities and amplifying voices of the diversity of Biogeosciences researchers on multiple platforms.

Section affiliations:

Atmospheric Sciences; Biogeosciences; GeoHealth; Global Environmental Change