Kristen McCarthy

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As a mathematics and environmental studies double major with a minor in chemistry, I knew I wanted to apply my mathematical background to a field in the sciences. Undergraduate work experience with the North East Water Resource Network, ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Watershed Alliance, and Maine Lakes Environmental Association, made me realize my love for water resources. I decided that graduate school would be the best choice for me, and was accepted into the University of Delaware for a master’s in Geological Sciences. Though I had never taken a geology coarse prior to applying, my then soon-to-be advisor was happy to see that I had a mathematical background and believed I would have no problem catching up.

In May of 2018 I graduated with a Master of Science in Geological Sciences with a focus on fluvial geomorphology and stream restoration. My first semester I received funding as a teacher’s assistant for a class called Geological Hazards, and for the remaining three semesters and the summer I worked as a fluvial geomorphology research assistant. For my thesis I used tree root dendrochronology and aerial imagery analysis on GIS to quantify river bank erosion rates in a watershed in Pennsylvania. I also worked to determine the influence that channel curvature, sediment type, riparian vegetation, and freeze-thaw processes had on the rate of bank erosion. My mathematics major certainly came in handy during the statistical analysis of two years worth of collected data, Matlab modeling of channel meanders and water velocity, and making sense of river slope and cross-section surveys.

After graduate school, I accepted a job in Maryland with EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc. where I have been for five months. A heavy boat and field schedule collecting data from the Chesapeake Bay area in the summer has led to a slower winter season of data analysis and report writing. Projects I have worked on have included oyster and clam population studies, harbor channel coring for dredging projects, preliminary work for the expansion of under-water tunnels, stream restoration, superfund clean-up and monitoring, endangered species mapping, and more.

My liberal arts education has given me the opportunity and ability to work on a variety of different projects at work, and quickly and easily change paths when I discover something new that piques my interest. For that reason and so many more… I like Saint Mikes!