I am a generalist when it comes to geological research, as I utilize sediment and sedimentary rocks to interpret environmental, tectonic and climatic processes and histories in a variety of settings. 

As a teacher, I try to focus on the big picture of how different parts of the Earth System interact and in doing so, try to guide students toward understanding consequences of human impacts on the Earth System. 

Right now, I am focused on three broad research themes:  1) interpreting tectonic and climatic change from Late Paleozoic continental deposits, 2) the impacts of environmental and climatic change on Lake Tanganyika, Africa, and 3) unravelling the timing and processes involved in rifting, exhumation and erosion along the Western Branch of the East African Rift. 

Over the years I have also worked on other fluvial, lacustrine and eolian systems of varying ages and tectonic settings. 

My main research methods lie in field-oriented data collection, however, I have, with colleagues increasingly employed geochemistry, computer imaging, shallow seismic methods, and computer modeling to supplement the field data. 

My field areas include East Africa and the Southwestern U.S.–both wonderful places to work!