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The Daily OrangeBreaking the ice
Robin Bell speaks of Antarctic research as part of ESF's "Women in Scientific and Environmental Professions Series"
By Caitlin Dewey
Posted: 3/5/08, 12:04 AM EST Section: News
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Bell, a well-known geologist and geophysicist, spoke at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Tuesday as part of the "Women in Scientific and Environmental Professions" series. The series is jointly sponsored by Syracuse University's Department of Earth Sciences, the Women in Science and Engineering program and the ESF Women's Caucus.
The hour-long presentation titled "Subglacial Lakes Linked to Ice Dynamics," drew a crowd of roughly 75 students and faculty members to Marshall Hall, and was followed by a short reception and dinner.
"We like to bring women of expertise in science to ESF," said Diane Kuehn, one of the program organizers. "They're living role models for a successful career."
Bell, a Doherty Senior Research Scientist at Columbia University, received her bachelor's degree from Middlebury College in 1980. Since then, she has led several research expeditions on the Hudson River, as well as seven major aero-geophysical expeditions to Antarctica.
Her presentation at ESF concerned her Antarctic research and focused on the way that liquid water below glaciers actually increases the rate at which polar ice caps melt. This melting, which has contributed to rising sea levels and changing weather patterns, is popularly attributed to global warming. Bell claims that ice dynamics is "a major part of the process."
"The question is, is global warming causing it?" Bell said. "If I put my hand on an ice cube, it won't necessarily melt. But if I push that ice cube - because of friction - it will melt faster."
Jessica Chappell, a second-year master's student majoring in geology, found the presentation topic interesting.
"The presentation was very good," Chappell said. "Some of the questions she brought up were excellent."
Monica Giermek, a senior environmental science major at ESF, agreed.
"I found it inspirational to see such an accomplished woman scientist in our field," she said.
Inspiring women scientists is one of the primary goals of the "Women in Science" series. The program - now in its ninth year at ESF and in its second year as a joint SU-ESF venture - features four women scientists from a variety of fields over the course of six weeks.
Speakers are chosen by the Women's Caucus at ESF and the Women in Science and Engineering program at SU, and are intended to appeal to a general audience. Organizers said they were pleased with the turnout this year.
"We actually expected a smaller turnout," said Heather Engelman, the director of the series. "Glaciers are obviously a more technical topic, but (Bell) has a talent for making very complicated things accessible."
Bell, in accordance with the theme of the program, also seeks to make science more accessible to female students. She is the head of the Advance Program at Columbia, which advocates the recruitment, retention and promotion of women scientists.
"You should find what you're passionate about and follow it in work and life," she said in her advice to college women. "There are challenges, but you just have to be persistent. The world is changing. We need smart people to help it."
cedewey@syr.edu
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