Journal Entry

A Visit to New York

Last week I ventured to New York for a 3-day trip to meet my researcher, Dr. Frank Nitsche and do some outreach at the school of PolarTREC alumni, Michelle Brown. I had a blast talking with students, learning more about expedition details and touring the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory campus. I even got to explore the core archive!

Outreach at Brooklyn Charter School

Fresh off a 5 hour red eye flight, I went straight to meet with PolarTREC alumni Michelle Brown and follow her to school. I got to speak to Ms. Penning's 11th grade Environmental Systems classes and was so impressed by the students! They had a lot of great questions about the expedition, polar science and what it’s like to research in Antarctica.

BPCS Outreach LectureDominique Richardson talking to Environmental Science students at Brooklyn Prospect Charter School.

Of course, while at the school I had to catch up with old friends (and a new friend)!

BPCS SelfiePolarTREC Alumni, Michelle Brown and new baby, Mayu Y. and Dominique Richardson visit after outreach.

Exploring Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

After finishing up with the outreach, I got to meet my awesome researcher, Dr. Frank Nitsche for the first time. The next day, he took me to see his lab at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory campus, in Palisades, New York. His lab building was right on the Hudson River and the whole campus was in the process of changing into its beautiful fall colors.

Lamont Campus on Hudson RiverA view of the Hudson River from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Campus.

While at Lamont, I got to meet several different researchers, chat with part of the team and go over expedition details (I’ll post more on this soon, promise).

Lamont Team MeetingDr. Nitsche, Kevin M. and myself discuss expedition details.

Dr. Nitsche gave me a tour of the campus, which was full of historic buildings and gardens, a lot of cool labs and the archives of core samples.

Lamont Campus CollageViews of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory campus in fall. Core Archive CollageCore Archives at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

I even got to take a closer look at some samples!

Closer Look at CoreExamining a core sample up close.

I had a great time. It was such an informative, productive and fun trip!

Comments

Michelle Brown

Hi Dominique,It was so great to see you up here in New York!! Thank you so much for coming to our school--I'm sure the students will be eager to learn about your research. The Lamond-Doherty campus looks so interesting too!! Before you know it you'll be on the ice!

Peggy McNeal

Hey, that looks familiar! Dominque, I'm so glad you got to spend time with Michelle and her students. I would love to go to the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory some day. What a great opportunity. You must be getting excited about your upcoming trip! Super cute baby too :)