Austin Carter

I am a third year Ph.D. student at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. I did my undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan where I studied Earth and Environmental Sciences. The summer after my first year in college I participated in the Juneau Icefield Research Program, which plunged me into the captivating world of ice. I am deeply fascinated by all aspects of the frozen world, especially glaciers and ice sheets, because ice can serve as a medium in which we can better understand our drastically changing environment. My research probes the mineral dust (fine-grained continental rock) trapped within ice cores I collected from Antarctica. Where did the dust come from and how did it travel to Antarctica? By answering these questions, I hope to provide insight into past Earth surface conditions and atmospheric transport. Receiving this fellowship has relieved financial hardship and has allowed me to pour my energy and time into publishing exciting research and working towards my career goals.