Caroline Juang uses satellite data, big data sets and statistical modeling to understand the natural hazards in modern climates. As a PhD, she is currently studying how climate affects wildfires in the western United States and in the face of the recent catastrophic Los Angeles fires, she is currently studying how climate affects wildfires in the western United States. “The chances of wild attack conditions can only increase in the case of human-caused climate change, as warmer temperatures can become warmer,” she said.
In the following Q&A, Juang discusses the importance of collaboration in scientific research. How she inspires her passion to increase the chances of STEM access; and climate-related wildfire drivers.
How did you get into science and what are your areas of focus?
With the help of my supportive parents, exploring as many things as possible through classes, field trips and summer camps has opened my eyes to the world of science. The little things on these shows (for example, watching a dragonfly transform from its nymph shell into an adult dragonfly and passing through a bouncing swamp on a pedestrian bridge will make me look at the world more closely. High school interns consolidate my mind on Interest in geoscience, applying for an internship at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, I was surprised to learn from my mentor that we could use satellites to track rainwater in space and help predict danger! Working with landslides was my first real Earth science research experience.
Years later, after the devastating effects of wildfires on human health and houses in the 2018 Thomas Fire and the subsequent Montecito mudflow, I was inspired to study wildfires in the western United States.
Although wildfires are important to seed dispersion or soil of certain plants, I am studying from my Ph.D. Park Williams consultant, tells about climate-related wildfire drivers. In the past few decades, warming and dryness are driving larger fires under other conditions, such as fire management history and extreme weather. The Los Angeles Fire is a devastating example of how many times there have been wildfire diseases that lead to fast-growing wildfires – in this case, two wet winters have led to a lot of vegetation growing this year, which is fuel for the fire. A very warm summer, drying the fuel. Then there was an extreme event. As long as there is a little fire source, the dice will stack up to spread quickly. My colleague Gavin Madakumbura, a postdoctoral fellow in Williams’ lab, wrote a great article explaining La Wildfires. [You can read State of the Planet’s recent coverage of the fires here.]
“Science is not done by one person. Interact with fun science clubs, extracurricular activities or field trips, you can meet other women and girls who are passionate about science.”
Did women from science, Colombia or otherwise inspire you?
As a young student, I look up to American teacher and astronaut Christa McAuliffe. It is inspiring to read and watch her training clips, become the first teacher on the Challenger Space Shuttle mission, and plan to share science experiments with students. Even though she never achieved this dream, her determination and enthusiasm taught the science of connecting with me and forced me to enable my research to be accessible to students and the public and inspire the next generation. In Colombia, I was inspired by the work of Dorothy Peteet, who generously advised my committee when she was not in the swamp or by the lake, looking for signs of climate change and human history. . She can study microscopic seeds through chemistry and scientific modeling, and pursue the big problems of Earth’s climate history through chemistry and scientific modeling. Her love for the wetlands she learns is fascinating, and it runs through her teaching and work to preserve the swamp.
Do you have any advice for young women or girls interested in entering the field?
Science is not done by one person. We collaborate on research issues and build on past discoveries from more senior scientists. Interact with fun science clubs, extracurricular activities or field trips, you can meet other women and girls who are passionate about science. In these spaces, you will always find mentors willing to teach you, get you involved in their work, and help you find your own path. You will also find allies and friends in a space, as you brave the challenges of your scientific career and find communities.
