Capstone – Elizabeth Trevathan

The Immediate Biophysical Impacts of Wildfires: A Literature Review in the United States

June 1, 2025July 17, 2025 22elizabethmt Capstone, GeographyTagged biophysical impacts, land science change, literature review, wildfire

Spring 2025 — GEOG494: Our Changing Planet: A Seminar in Land Change Science

I am Elizabeth Trevathan, a senior at Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN. I am completing double majors in Geology and Geography. I intend to pursue a Ph.D. to further my education and interest in paleoclimate research. I am particularly interested in reconstructing paleoenvironments to deepen our understanding of how historical climate changes affected life in these landscapes. I am eager to learn how to integrate remote sensing and GIS into this area of study. I recognize the importance of integrating science communication into this field to better educate the public about historical and current climate change events.
This site initially began as a student journalism portfolio. In high school, I served as the Director of RubicOnline for two years, an online student news organization affiliated with St. Paul Academy and Summit School. I was honored as the 2022 Minnesota Journalist of the Year by the Journalism Education Association. Through these projects, I gained experience in science communication and realized the importance of incorporating communication into scientific research.
On this site, you will find information on my experience within geology and geography, including class projects and research. I have also kept my Journalist of the Year portfolio to showcase my communication and leadership skills.