RESEARCH INTERESTS

I am interested in past atmospheric-oceanic-terrestrial interactions and the physical mechanisms induced by the different climate forcing components, that lead to the shifts observed in paleo-climate archives.

BIOGEOCHEMISTRY OF CORAL REEFS

In my master’s thesis I utilized Uranium-series to trace meteoric diagenesis and date uplifted coral-terraces from the Gulf of Aqaba, Jordan, that were extensively altered to calcite.

In my current research I use nitrogen isotopes to study biogeochemical cycling in modern and past coral reefs.

PAST OCEANS CIRCULATION

During my PhD I used Neodymium isotopes of ocean sediments from the Atlantic Ocean, to trace past ocean circulation throughout the Pleistocene era and especially the "Mid-Pleistocene-Transition".

Media coverage about this research topic:

Science, Earth news, story by Paul Voosen, Aug. 22nd 2018

Glacier Hub featured story, story by Natalie Belew, Sept. 19th, 2018

Youtube video by Anton Petrov, Nov. 20th, 2021

DUST EFFECTS ON ECOSYSTEMS

Also, in my PhD, I explored the use of geochemical tools to reconstruct changes in dust supply at the nutrient poor Bahamas Carbonate Platform throughout the Miocene. I tried to trace the time intervals when the Saharan Desert became a significant dust source to this region, and estimate the affects it may have had on the evolution of the platform.

THE OCEANIC NITROGEN CYCLE

Since joining the AMG lab at MPIC, I have been using Nitrogen isotopes measurements of foraminifera to study the Nitrogen cycle dynamics throughout Earth's history with special emphasis on the Pliocene-Pleistocene Transition when the ice ages cycles began due to the glaciation of the Northern Hemisphere.