Undergraduate Research & Scholarships

Erica Domen

Reconstruction of pCO₂ and paleoecology of middle Eocene Floras in KY

The middle Eocene is a period marked by a geologically abrupt warming event, the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum. Fossil leaves from the Claiborne group are well-preserved, providing the opportunity to apply updated paleobotanical methods to these high quality specimens. This summer I will be using these methods to reconstruct the paleoecology, paleoclimate, and pCO₂ of the middle Eocene Gulf Coastal Plain using specimens from Kentucky, USA. Insights from this work have potential implications for future research in global warming’s impact on plant communities.

Message To Sponsor

I am so grateful for this opportunity to continue research over the summer! I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the donors who made this opportunity possible. URAP has been a highlight of my undergraduate experience at Berkeley thus far, and I am eager to continue expanding my knowledge in a field I am passionate about and develop skills which will aid me as I continue on my academic journey and beyond. Thank you!