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Photo: John Halpern
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Kirsten Schwarz operates an x-ray fluorescence multi-element analyzer for quantitative measurement of lead in soil.
Photograph: Pam Freeman
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Dr. Kirsten Schwarz
Interviewed by Tammy Newcomer
Featured Graduate Student-January 2010
Kirsten Schwarz
Rutgers University
Graduate status: PhD completed January, 2010
advisor: Drs. Steward T. A. Pickett and Richard G. Lathrop
Bachelor’s degree from: College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor, ME
Major: Human Ecology
Hometown: Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Questions
Tammy: How would you describe your field of study/research to a friend who is not in your graduate program?
Kirsten: I study dirt…specifically how much lead is in dirt and where it’s concentrated. I use information about the landscape (i.e. housing age, distance to roads, and distance to buildings) to predict where lead levels might be higher or lower.
Tammy: What inspired you to go into this field of study?
Kirsten: I’ve always been interested in ecology. During undergrad I was struggling with how to integrate my interest in both social and environmental science. Urban ecology was the answer.
Tammy: Why did you become involved with BES?
Kirsten: I started working as a research assistant for BES in 2001 and started graduate studies with BES in 2003. I was drawn to BES because it integrates the biological, physical, and social sciences. I think that BES provides an ideal infrastructure for graduate studies by offering a truly interdisciplinary experience.
Kirsten Schwarz operates a gas chromatograph
Photograph: Steward Pickett
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Tammy: What do you most enjoy about being involved with BES?
Kirsten: The people! It’s an excellent group of folks to work with. Sure, they do excellent science, but they’re fun to hang out with too.
Tammy: What is your favorite stress-reduction activity?
Kirsten: Walking my dog.
Tammy: Is there anything that you've had to "give up" as a graduate student?
Kirsten: Reality TV. It just doesn’t mix well with graduate school.
Tammy: What are your plans for after graduate school?
Kirsten: I’m currently applying for postdoctoral and faculty positions that would allow me to continue doing socio-ecological research.
Tammy: Name at least one achievement you are proud of.
Kirsten: I’m the first person in my family to earn a college degree. I’m proud of that, but mostly I’m just tremendously grateful for the support my family has shown me.
Tammy: Do you have any advice that you would give to a new BES graduate students?
Kirsten: The folks at BES can be your greatest resource…so use them! I would love to see new BES students present research ideas at the BES meetings instead of waiting until they are finished to tell everyone about their cool research. It’s the only way to get collaborations started and we all want to know what you’re working on!
Note: Kirsten Schwarz was our past BES Grad Student Representative. She passed her doctoral dissertation defense on December 1, 2009.
Congratulations, Dr. Kirsten Schwarz!
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