Student Blogs & Vignettes

Brittany Hernandez

ABOUT MY RESEARCH

My research interests include Southern Ocean paleoceanography, paleoclimatology, and geochemistry. The Southern Ocean significantly controls global climate, making it crucial in researching past changes in seawater temperature and ocean circulation. I am especially interested in evaluating past seawater temperatures in the Southern Ocean via high resolution geochemical records from foraminifera located in sediment cores.

I’m fascinated by the implications that changes in seawater temperature could have on the West Antarctic Ice Sheet’s mass balance and sea level rise. Constraining these past temperature changes could advance current ice sheet model predictions; thus, enhancing sea level rise simulations and potentially informing vulnerable coastal communities’ legislation and adaptation plans.

While pursuing my MS at the College of Marine Science I will be working with Dr. Amelia Shevenell, whose breadth and depth of research will present me with the freedom to challenge myself and think critically about the questions that still need to be answered with respect to understanding how seawater temperatures have changed throughout Earth’s history. 

WHY USF CMS?

In undergrad I participated in Sea Education Association (SEA), a study abroad program involving a 6-week research cruise aboard SSV Robert C Seamans. My semester spent with SEA solidified my passion for extensive fieldwork in extreme weather conditions. With USF CMS’s commitment to graduate student fieldwork opportunities, I am beyond excited about the possibility of sailing to Antarctica and conducting research with Dr. Shevenell’s lab.

In addition to the plethora of fieldwork opportunities, Dr. Shevenell’s emphasis on increasing the presence of under-represented groups in Antarctic paleoceanography has been an essential factor in my decision to pursue a graduate degree at CMS.

Lastly, the location of CMS is a tropical paradise and I’m thrilled to spend my free time relaxing at the beach, exploring the nearby springs, and enjoying all the wonderful food, flora and fauna, and art!