Neda Mobasher

Why FSU?

I chose FSU because of the opportunity to work within the Atwood Lab in the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science, which focuses on developing high-resolution paleoclimate reconstructions in the tropical pacific using coral skeletons. The research done here is highly interdisciplinary, which allows me to study a variety of topics and practice many different research methods. The lab group environment is also incredibly positive and supportive, which made selecting FSU that much more exciting.

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

I was participating in an undergraduate research project, and I realized I wanted to pursue a career in research. Getting a graduate degree felt like the natural course of action to achieve my goals.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

The El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) drives global climate patterns and can powerfully impact extreme weather, agriculture, food security, and disaster management around the globe. The instrumental record is limited, and tropical Pacific corals are a valuable archive to reconstruct past ENSO variability in data poor regions. The coral geochemical proxies that I use allow us to extend the instrumental record in key action sites for ENSO and provide insight on pre-industrial climate that is critical to contextualizing modern climate change.

Career aspirations

Many years down the line, my end goal is to become a professor. I have had many great professors and mentors who have inspired to follow this path.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

Find an advisor that is supportive and that you get along with. You will likely be working with this person for a many years, so finding the right advisor is just as important as finding a program that aligns with your academic interests.

Accomplishments during graduate career

I have had so many fantastic opportunities since beginning my graduate career. Upon my enrollment at FSU, I received the John W. and Ellen M. Winchester Fund Scholarship for Excellence in Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Geochemistry. Shortly after, I became part of the Academic Diving Program here at FSU, which has exposed me to new research settings and prepared me with the skills required to complete field work safely and efficiently. I also had the opportunity to attend the second cohort of PaleoCAMP, which was held at the Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Lab, and connect with many paleoclimatology graduate students from around the United States whom I will be seeing throughout my career (some of which have become my closest peers!).