#repost • @vuartsci Elli Ronay is a climate detective. A Ph.D. student in Earth and Environmental Science, she uses chemical clues in stalagmites to decipher past climate events. Her research can help predict climate activity and its impacts, such as how future monsoons might affect India’s farmers.⠀ ⠀ Q: What’s something interesting about you? A: I lived in Meramec State Park when I was seven. I got to explore caves, I got to stick my feet in the river all the time and pick up tiny spring frogs.⠀ ⠀ Q: Why did you decide to study paleoclimatology and geochemistry?⠀ A: I started as an [undergraduate] engineering major, but I wanted to be able to go outside. What I like about earth sciences is that you have to think about how everything interacts. It’s a great way to combine my love of caves, my enjoyment of chemistry, and build these stories about past climates. ⠀ ⠀ Q: For you personally, what’s the most interesting thing about your work?⠀ A: The chemical indicators I study can mean di...