DGESL : About : Rachael Novak

Background

As a native of the Intermountain West and Southwest, an adoptee of the Pacific Northwest, and a sojourner of the South American continent, I have a vested interest in land I know and the communities dwelling thereon. This has contributed significantly to my decision to come to The University of Arizona and study climate variability and change in the Department of Geosciences. My interest in society and earth sciences was fomented during my final years at Oregon State University (OSU) after a year-long study abroad experience in Quito, Ecuador, a semester-long paleoclimate seminar, a host of surface processes classes, and internships with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Reclamation. My undergraduate thesis at OSU in environmental science and international studies dealt with the intersections of geoscientific knowledge and Oral Traditions regarding the Cascadia subduction zone. A less studied interface for sure. My research in this undertaking made me more aware of the land as a storyteller, that if listened to and observed, will unfold in more ways than one.

Research

My Master's research deals with those intersections where different sources can complement one another to shed understanding on the larger objective. I am studying the climate history of the Chuska Mountain area of the Navajo Reservation. Rural areas often do not have long and continuous instrumental records of local climate and are often home to land-dependent communities. This exploratory study will focus on a synthesis of the various proxy climate data and the various instrumental climate data. Another important aspect is the compilation of the qualitative information gained from the experience of the stakeholders in this area. A comparison of these different sources will create a better understanding of the climate history and its effects that will ultimately help illuminate environmental and social response to climate variability and change in a meaningful way.

	Rachael Novak M.S. Student B.A. Oregon State University 2003 B.S. Oregon State University 2003 Office: Gould-Simpson Room 350 Telephone Number: 1.520.621.8025 Office: Gould-Simpson Room 301 Telephone Number: 1.520.621.4385 E-mail Address: novakr@email.arizona.edu	Mailing Address 1040 E. Fourth St. Department of Geosciences University of Arizona Gould-Simpson Room 208 Tucson, AZ 85721-0077 Telephone Number 1.520.621.8025 Facsimile Number 1.520.621.2672


Background As a native of the Intermountain West and Southwest, an adoptee of the Pacific Northwest, and a sojourner of the South American continent, I have a vested interest in land I know and the communities dwelling thereon. This has contributed significantly to my decision to come to The University of Arizona and study climate variability and change in the Department of Geosciences. My interest in society and earth sciences was fomented during my final years at Oregon State University (OSU) after a year-long study abroad experience in Quito, Ecuador, a semester-long paleoclimate seminar, a host of surface processes classes, and internships with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Reclamation. My undergraduate thesis at OSU in environmental science and international studies dealt with the intersections of geoscientific knowledge and Oral Traditions regarding the Cascadia subduction zone. A less studied interface for sure. My research in this undertaking made me more aware of the land as a storyteller, that if listened to and observed, will unfold in more ways than one. Research My Master's research deals with those intersections where different sources can complement one another to shed understanding on the larger objective. I am studying the climate history of the Chuska Mountain area of the Navajo Reservation. Rural areas often do not have long and continuous instrumental records of local climate and are often home to land-dependent communities. This exploratory study will focus on a synthesis of the various proxy climate data and the various instrumental climate data. Another important aspect is the compilation of the qualitative information gained from the experience of the stakeholders in this area. A comparison of these different sources will create a better understanding of the climate history and its effects that will ultimately help illuminate environmental and social response to climate variability and change in a meaningful way.