About
Andrea M. Erhardt is an Associate Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Kentucky. She holds an Anna Boyksen Fellowship at the TUM Institute for Advanced Study (2022), hosted by Prof. Rolf Moeckel and Prof. Martin Elsner. Her research focuses on using isotopic tracers to understand environmental and climate change, with particular emphasis on water cycle dynamics and ocean chemistry reconstruction. She directs the Kentucky Stable Isotope Geochemistry Laboratory, analyzing groundwater and precipitation systems.
Educations: PhD in Geological Sciences (Stanford University), MS in Geology (Colorado School of Mines), BS in Environmental Engineering (Northwestern University). Postdoctoral research at the University of Cambridge as a CIFAR Fellow.
Research emphasizes isotopes as environmental change tracers, including paleoclimate studies using speleothems and carbonate cements. Active in diversity initiatives, leading anti-racism programs and supporting underrepresented students in STEM. Awards include grants from National Science Foundation and industry partnerships.
Recent publications explore Ukrainian precipitation patterns, karst spring systems, and geochemical feedbacks in ice-sheet dynamics. Her work bridges geology, hydrology, and climate science with societal impact through water resource management and equity-focused training programs.
