Alumni Spotlight Q & A:
Where are you from, Chelsea?
I grew up in upstate New York outside of Albany and currently live in Wilbraham, Massachusetts.
What was your major at UNH and who was your adviser?
I attended UNH for two degrees: my Bachelors in Earth Science which I completed in 2006, and then my Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Science completed through the Natural Resources and Earth Systems Science (NRESS) program in 2014. My dissertation work focused on characterizing aerosol particles (e.g., smoke, dust, haze) using aircraft measurements. My adviser was Dr. Jack Dibb.
Why did you choose UNH?
For undergrad, I chose UNH primarily because I liked the track team (I competed on the cross-country and track teams for all 4 years), but also because of the flexibility associated with the Earth Science major. For my Ph.D., I wanted to return to the Northeast after completing a masters in Colorado. Having done research on atmospheric aerosols with Rob Griffin in EOS as an undergraduate, I knew there were some great research opportunities for me at UNH. It also didn’t hurt that UNH and the broader Seacoast area held a special place in my heart from my undergrad days!
What were your favorite courses and which professors had the greatest impact on you?
As an undergraduate, I took Atmospheric Chemistry with Rob Griffin which really put me on course to study aerosols and their air quality and climate impacts. As a Ph.D. student, I loved my Earth System Science course (co-taught by Cameron Wake and George Hurtt) as well as Biogeochemistry (co-taught by Scott Ollinger and Steve Frolking). Having come from a very focused master’s program in atmospheric science, the broader view these courses offered really expanded my perspective on the role of the atmosphere as a critical part to a complex, interactive, system. Outside of classes, Jack Dibb and Ruth Varner were both super supportive mentors, offering invaluable guidance for my research and beyond.
How is UNH addressing the social cause you are most passionate about?
I’m really interested in issues around sustainability and environmental justice and am actively working to incorporate both into my classes and scholarship. UNH is a prominent leader in both areas, particularly sustainability; the university is an excellent example for how an institute of higher ed can reduce their footprint. In fact, I am currently working with our Environmental Health, Safety and Sustainability officer (also a UNH grad!) and other Springfield College faculty on ways to reduce waste on campus and improve sustainability at Springfield College using UNH as a model.
What is your current position and why is your work important?
I am currently an Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at Springfield College in Springfield, MA. While my primary focus is teaching, I also engage in research through both collaborations with other institutions and on local projects involving Springfield College undergraduates. I really love working with undergraduates and being able to provide them with in-class experiences and research opportunities like the ones I had at UNH as an undergraduate.
How did UNH contribute to your career and where you are now?
My graduate research experiences have provided me with incredible opportunities post-Ph.D. (e.g., a NASA post-doc fellowship with the Langley Aerosol Research Group) as well as a network of current and future collaborators. Coursework and seminars (e.g., the Preparing Future Faculty series) completed through the Graduate School and Center for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching and Learning also greatly prepared me to teach in the college classroom and navigate the application process for faculty positions.
Looking back on your time spent as a UNH grad student, what are some of your best memories?
My best memories are from my field experiences, especially my trips to Summit Station in Greenland. Prior to my first trip in 2010, I had never been outside of North America! Spending 3-4 weeks in a tent on the middle of an ice sheet almost 2 miles high is certainly something I will never forget – especially sampling snow at 3:00 am in the broad daylight!
Any advice for undergrads/grad students who are conducting research?
Be patient – good research takes time! Think big and collaborate – some of the most interesting work coming out now takes interdisciplinary approaches to answering questions. Set boundaries – make sure you are still making time for friends, family, and fun in between samples. :)
"As an environmental scientist in academia, I take great pride in the fact that UNH demonstrates a strong and public commitment to the environment, not just through supporting/highlighting the excellent work of their faculty and staff, but also by embracing innovative strategies to address the environmental impact of higher education."
What was something you would have changed about your graduate research experience? What can be improved so that other students conducting research have an improved experience?
I struggled (and still do!) a lot with imposter syndrome and anxiety, both of which are pretty common among academics but not often discussed openly. Establishing a community that acknowledges and works to address this and other mental health-related issues graduate students may face is critical to ensure success.
What makes you proud to be affiliated with UNH?
As an environmental scientist in academia, I take great pride in the fact that UNH demonstrates a strong and public commitment to the environment, not just through supporting/highlighting the excellent work of their faculty and staff, but also by embracing innovative strategies to address the environmental impact of higher education.
What impact do you hope your work has on future generations?
Through my teaching and research, I am hopefully inspiring and equipping environmentally-conscious citizens who actively work to make our planet a better place.
Are you on social media and do you have any other links to share?
- A recent story and video from Springfield College on my Air Quality research
- You can find me on LinkedIn
PURSUE A DEGREE IN EARTH SCIENCES
Are you or is someone you know an alum who conducted research with us? Want to be featured in an upcoming Alumni Spotlight? We'd love to connect! Please email Rebecca.Irelan@unh.edu with details.
