People in the lab

Dr. Chad Lane

Professor — Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences
B.S. University of Denver; M.S. and Ph.D. University of Tennessee

Taylor Conklin

UNCW Forensic Light Isotope and Trace Environmental Spectrometry (FLITES) Core Facility Research Specialist
B.S. University of South Carolina; M.S. Florida State University

Dr. Paul Wojtal

B.S. Brown University; Ph.D. University of Miami

Co-Advised by Dr. Ralph Mead

Sophia Rodriguez

B.S. Union College

Dr. Amy Wagner

Now Professor, Sacramento State University
B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. Texas A&M University; Visiting Research Professor at UNCW, 2011–2013

Research focus: tropical paleoceanography reconstructed from stable isotopes and trace metals in fossil coral records.

Not really a postdoc, really a colleague who was performing at the level of most Assistant Professors. Amazing attitude and just the best when working with students. Inspirational, attentive, and brilliant.

Allison Dombrowski

B.S. Appalachian State University; M.S. Geosciences, 2024, UNCW

Project: Responding to the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination crisis: measuring stable isotopic compositions of PFAS

Now Collections Manager of Geology, NC Museum of Natural Sciences

Handed her one of the most complex projects I've ever given to a masters student. Abundant, often frustrating, method development for isotopic measurement of PFAS compounds. But, she was amazingly persistent and ended up producing some of the most important data and publications in the lab's history, just awesome!

Amanda Tomlinson

B.S. Berry College; M.S. Geosciences, 2022, UNCW

Project: Compound-specific hydrogen isotope analysis of lacustrine sediments to establish late-Holocene paleoprecipitation dynamics at Laguna Arancibia, Costa Rica

Now a Geologist, Geosyntec

Just an ideal graduate student, wonderfully communicative, great sense of humor, hungry for knowledge, and always striving to improve. What more could you want?

Phyllis Kho

B.S. Nanyang Technological University; M.S. Geosciences, 2022, UNCW

Project: Multi-proxy stable isotope analyses of late-Holocene precipitation variability and vegetation change at Laguna Maria Aguilar, Costa Rica

Now a Ph.D. student, Columbia University

Another sneaky brilliant student, very quiet and unassuming, but get her into the lab or on the mass specs and watch out, just awesome! And pretty sure she set the curve for multiple course exams during her time at UNCW (and before no doubt).

Elise Farrington

B.S. Union College; M.S. Geosciences, 2019, UNCW

Project: Sedimentary geochemical and palynological evidence of late-Holocene paleoenvironmental change from Baraderes Bay, Haiti

Now an Environmental Project Manager, EG America

Very quiet and unassuming — but when it came to data production and analysis, an insanity mode. Truly impressive productivity!

Elizabeth (Liz) Yanuskiewicz

B.S. Eckerd College; M.S. Marine Science, 2019, UNCW; Ph.D., University of Miami, 2025

Project: Compound-specific stable carbon and hydrogen isotope analyses of late-Holocene vegetation and precipitation change at Laguna Los Mangos, Costa Rica

Now a Postdoctoral Scientist, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research

Who says academics aren't tough? Liz is not only an amazing scientist with an insane work ethic and great attitude, she'll also not hesitate to jump in a rugby scrum.

Sarah Kwon

B.S. Eckerd College; M.S. Marine Science, 2018, UNCW

Project: Bulk sedimentary and compound-specific hydrogen isotope analyses as paleohydrologic proxies in Carolina Bays

Now a Marine Geoscientist, APTIM

Incredibly patient and persistent — exactly the qualities needed for dealing with frequently frustrating instrumentation (and advisor).

Konrad Grochocki

B.S. University of Northern Michigan; M.S. Geosciences, 2017, UNCW

Project: Paleolimnological evidence of prehistoric human activity from Piseco Lake, Adirondack Mountains, NY

Now a Geoscientist, GSI Environmental Inc.

An absolute beast in the field and on the pollen microscope.

Jennifer (Jen) Massoll (née Zivkovic)

B.S. UNCW; M.S. Marine Science, 2016, UNCW

Project: Decadal variations in western Pacific warm pool dynamics as evidenced by Porites corals from Chuuk Atoll, FSM

Now Assistant Limnologist, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

Most patient student in the history of the lab.

Joanna Peth

B.S. Pennsylvania State University; M.S. Marine Science, 2015, UNCW

Co-Advised by Dr. Andrea Hawkes

Project: Stable isotopic evidence of Holocene sea-level variability from Argentinian salt marshes

Now Coastal Policy Analyst, NOAA

Made Dr. Lane use Urban Dictionary far more often than he likes to admit. Awesome attitude while picking forams and prepping and analyzing them for isotopic measurements.

Jessica Nester

B.A. Kent State University; M.S. Geosciences, 2015, UNCW

Project: Paleoenvironmental records from the Carolina Bays of eastern North Carolina

Now conducting GIS-based risk analysis for the Wilmington Fire Department

Wonderfully dry and sharp sense of humor. Accomplished an incredible amount and quality of work during her short tenure in the lab.

Kaylee Barket Jones

B.S. Appalachian State University; M.S. Geosciences, 2015, UNCW; Ph.D., University of Utah

Project: Paleoenvironmental records from the Carolina Bays of eastern North Carolina

Now Manager of Program Integration and Data Analytics, Diligence Inc.

Makes the oddest noises expressing frustration while counting pollen. But who cares when you are so darn good at it! Few have the patience for pollen these days, I'm sure glad Kaylee did.

Amanda (Mandy) Tedick

B.S. Ohio University; M.S. Marine Science, 2014, UNCW

Project: Prehistoric and historic paleoenvironments on St. Croix, USVI

Now at Medpace Drug and Biological Contract Research Organization

Sassiest graduate student in the history of UNCW; also regarded as the best baker in grad student history.

Paula Reidhaar

B.S. Indiana University; M.S. Marine Science, 2013, UNCW

Project: Bioluminescence in the Salt River Bay National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve, St. Croix, USVI

Now Museum Operations Supervisor, Zing Zumm Children's Museum of Jacksonville

Our first graduate student who started the lab off to an amazing start. A tireless work ethic and wonderfully positive attitude, total rookie luck on our part to get such a great first student!

Sadie Call

Directed Independent Study / Undergraduate Research Assistantship, 2023, Department of Geography and Geology, UNCW

Project: Fecal sterol concentrations in ancient sediments of Jones Lake and Singletary Lake

Wonderfully patient despite my constant changing of methods on the fly.

Audrey Taylor

B.A. Geography, 2017 (Honors, Summa Cum Laude, Ainsley Award for Most Outstanding Geography Student, and more), UNCW

Projects: bulk and compound-specific isotope proxies of paleoenvironmental change in coastal Portugal; compound-specific isotope evidence of paleoclimate variability from Singletary Lake, NC; sedimentary PAH evidence of changing fuel types and fire regimes in southeastern North Carolina

Now pursuing a Ph.D. at Notre Dame with Dr. Melissa Berke

Total slacker — only completed three masters-quality projects during her undergrad career. Get to work!

Amelia Fitzpatrick

B.S. Physics, 2017, UNCW

Project: stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses of lake sediments as climate proxies

Best surfer in the lab to date.

Brooklyn Hildebrandt

B.S. (Honors) Oceanography and Geology, 2013, UNCW

Project: isotopic evidence of prehistoric hurricane strikes in coastal sediments from the Dominican Republic

Now training to sue your butt if you try any hanky-panky with the environment

Smiled through every bit of torture I put her through. Now a lawyer that will hopefully come to my rescue if I get in trouble some day.

David Coggins

B.A. 2013, UNCW

Project: stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses of lake sediments as climate proxies

Now working in the private sector as a CPA

Was Sammy C. Hawk (!) and the best singer in lab history.

Matthew Kerr

B.A. Anthropology, 2012, UNCW; M.S. Geography, 2014, University of Tennessee

Project: compound-specific hydrogen isotope records of paleoprecipitation variability in the Dominican Republic

Now a Ph.D. student, Department of Geography, University of Tennessee

Favorite pastime was (is) correcting Dr. Lane's grammatical errors in manuscripts.