What area(s) of scholarship are you most interested in?
I am fascinated by how water moves and its role in mobilizing and transporting pollutants. While deliberate considerations of these topics generally materialize in times of drought, deluge, or environmental degradation, the influence of water is ubiquitous and ceaseless. I find the many interfaces between water, the planet, and society incredible.
How did you become interested in that area of scholarship?
My interest in hydrology was sparked on a long-distance bike trip down the Pacific Coast. I grew up in the Prairies, and experiencing a new landscape at a slower pace was impactful. With that said, my interest in the topic was solidified by my inspiring academic supervisor, Dr. Genevieve Ali.
What course(s) will you be teaching this year?
This year I am teaching Groundwater Hydrochemistry and Contaminant Transport; Research Approaches and Methods in Environmental Science; an Advanced Seminar in Environmental Science; and an Environmental Science Research Experience course.
What are you looking forward to most about joining the U of T Scarborough community?
I am looking forward to growing as an educator at U of T Scarborough in the Department of Physical & Environmental Sciences. My colleagues have been incredibly welcoming, and I deeply respect their contributions. I think that U of T Scarborough is a place that will intensify my involvement in both teaching and research.
What are you reading/watching right now?
As I prepare for the semester, I am mostly revisiting textbooks and keeping on top of articles related to hydrology and chloride transport. I recently read a paper recommended by a colleague and led by Dr. Sujay Kaushal (University of Maryland) that explores how the weathering of impervious surfaces and the application of salt for road de-icing has influenced salinization, major ion concentrations, and alkalinization in fresh water.
I have been reading a collection of short stories called "The Wandering Earth" by Liu Cixin. I am about halfway through the collection and have been surprised to see how well suited the author’s style is to the short story medium, considering the length of his best-known novels (e.g., "The Three Body Problem"). My favorite short story in the collection (so far) is "Sun of China", which follows the protagonist as they ascend from poverty to a hero fixed on exploration beyond our solar system.