Who are AGU Career Guides?
AGU Career Guides are trained AGU Members who help participants identify career opportunities, determine paths for growth, and explore topics such as career transitions, career options, publishing your science, and many more. They host a live guidance meeting per group to facilitate collaborative discussions and support members in strategizing their goals with existing AGU resources.
Join here to participate in a Guidance Session with one of our guides. New sessions are added every month.
Current Guides
Alison Marklein
A Ph.D. ecosystem biogeochemist and Senior Scientist at the carbon sequestration startup Terradot. Alison focuses on food security, climate resilience, and nutrient management with the overarching goal of improving socio-economic justice and equity.
Specialty: Career Transitions
Drew Lehman
An environmental geographer by training, Drew has trained over 100 environmental professionals. Through programs he has initiated, he has worked with over 350 individuals to explore the wide range of career in environmental infrastructure.
Specialty: Career Options
George Rhee
A Ph.D. Astronomer who teaches physics and astronomy at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. George's research interests vary from observational cosmology and galaxy formation to climate change and streamflow reconstruction using tree rings.Specialty: Communicating Your Science
Laurent Meillier
With a background in environmental sciences, Laurent managed a team of scientists applying regulations to cleanup soil and groundwater contamination for 25+ years. He is excited to guide members with their next career choice or communicating their scientific research findings.Specialty: Career Transitions, Communicating Your Science
Sergio Chávez-Pérez
A Ph.D. research geophysicist at the Mexican Petroleum Institute. He also serves as an adjunct professor of exploration seismology at National Autonomous University of Mexico. He values service and is passionate about giving back to the geoscience community.Specialty: Balancing your career
Susan A. Kirch
A Ph.D. molecular biologist with a career as science education faculty at New York University. Susan recently retired but is currently writing a book and volunteering for AGU’s Thriving Earth Exchange. Susan is interested in helping young professionals explore or prepare for opportunities as science educators.Specialty: Academic careers
Zuohao Cao
A Ph.D. atmospheric research scientist at Environment and Climate Change Canada. Zuohao has served on editorial boards of international journals and on program committees of international conferences. He has communicated his research to help meteorologists successfully deliver timely public snowstorm warnings.Specialty: Navigating Publishing
Kristina Vrouwenvelder
A Ph.D. physical chemist and Assistant Director of Publications at AGU. Kristina supports research impact, open data, and software across AGU’s journals through workshops and courses. She is the co-founder of the science communication blog Geobites.Specialty: Navigating Publishing
Liz B. Gilden
Program manager for Mentoring and Career Programs at AGU. With a background in atmospheric sciences, Liz understands career transitions between academia, nonprofits, and government sectors. Liz also runs a coaching business for athletes.
Specialty: Career Transitions
Pranoti M. Asher
A Ph.D. geoscientist and the Assistant Director for Grants and Education Programs at AGU. Pranoti manages AGU's mentoring and career programs including AGU's job board and associated assets.
Specialty: Career Transitions
Interested in becoming a Guide? Contact us here.
Past Guides
Ashton Robinson Cook
A Ph.D. atmospheric scientist and a meteorologist at the NOAA's National Weather Service - Weather Prediction Center. Ashton work includes flash flood forecasting and projects helping end users of WPC products understand flash flood risk via Excessive Rainfall Outlooks.Specialty: Career Transitions
Cynthia Ebinger
A Ph.D. geoscientist and a faculty member at Tulane University. Cynthia's research interests include earthquake seismology, active tectonics, crustal dynamics, and critical zone imaging for archeology and geosciences.
Olivia V. Ambrogio
A Ph.D. biologist and Assistant Director of the Sharing Science program at AGU. Olivia has developed science-communication workshops, webinars, and online resources to support scientists in all career stages.
Simon Schneider
Simon is a Ph.D. geoscientist and works as a Project Manager, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany. He is a passionate science communicator and volunteers extensively with AGU.
