Caitlin Tems

Dr. Caitlin Tems serves as a faculty member in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences within the College of Science at Weber State University. Her academic foundation includes a Ph.D. in Geological Sciences from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Arts in Geology from Colorado College. She maintains an active office in Tracy Hall Science Center (Room 311) and engages with students through undergraduate geoscience courses.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Geological Sciences, University of Southern California
• Bachelor of Arts in Geology, Colorado College

Dr. Tems focuses on marine geochemistry and paleoclimate research, utilizing stable isotopes to investigate oxygen minimum zones in the Eastern Tropical North Pacific and biogeochemical cycling in marine sediments. Her work extends to geoscience education research and science communication initiatives aimed at improving scientific literacy. She actively develops projects exploring paleoclimate signals in the Great Salt Lake and alpine environments, emphasizing the connection between oceanographic research and societal challenges related to climate change.

Her teaching philosophy centers on active, inquiry-based learning across courses including Earthquakes and Volcanoes (GEO 1030), Historical Geology (GEO 1220), and Oceanography and Earth Systems (GEO 3010). She integrates problem-based learning, field trips, and technology-driven data analysis to cultivate critical thinking among both science majors and non-specialists.

Dr. Tems collaborates with institutions like the Virginia Institute of Marine Science on science communication projects designed to bridge the gap between researchers and the public. These initiatives specifically target increasing participation of underrepresented students in geoscience careers while evaluating impacts on students' understanding of ocean systems and research pathways.

Her laboratory work involves analyzing laminated marine sediments using nitrogen isotopes (δ¹⁵N) as proxies for water column denitrification, with research goals centered on identifying climate system mechanisms like the Pacific Decadal Oscillation that influence carbon production and oxygen minimum zone intensity during the late Holocene.