Tyler's introduction to field-based research was as an undergraduate student on the frozen shorelines of Lake Superior, working with modern frozen beach processes to better understand deposits left by ancient beaches. Modern environments provide a key to earth history, and Tyler enjoys exploring the relationships between the two. Since coming to Davis, his research interests have expanded to include diving over modern microbial communities at the bottom of ice-covered lakes in Antarctica. These microbial communities grow into complicated shapes due to the relationship between microbial behavior and their surrounding environment, and these relationships frame interpretations of ancient microbial ecology from deposits in the rock record. Tyler is pursuing graduate studies with the end goal of a career in teaching and research, where he hopes to give students the opportunity to engage and explore the world in new and unexpected ways.
Davis, CA
United States