Gregory de Wet

Gregory de Wet is an Assistant Professor of Geosciences at Smith College, specializing in paleoclimatology and Arctic environmental reconstruction. His research focuses on using lake sediments and geochemical proxies to understand past climate changes in the Arctic and North Atlantic regions, with implications for future climate scenarios.

Dr. de Wet's educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Geosciences from the University of Massachusetts Amherst
• M.Sc. in Geosciences from the University of Massachusetts Amherst
• B.S. in Geology from Bates College

Dr. de Wet's research interests center on paleoclimatology, with a particular focus on Arctic environmental changes. He employs lake sediment records, organic geochemical proxies (including brGDGTs and plant waxes), and sedimentary ancient DNA to reconstruct past temperatures, glacial extents, and ecological changes. His work spans multiple timescales from the Holocene to the Pleistocene, with fieldwork conducted in Svalbard, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and other Arctic regions. This research provides critical context for understanding current and future climate change in polar environments.

Analysis of Dr. de Wet's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on Arctic paleoenvironmental reconstruction using innovative geochemical and molecular techniques. His work increasingly integrates multiple proxy approaches to provide more robust climate reconstructions, with recent emphasis on brGDGT calibrations, sedimentary DNA analysis, and high-resolution climate records from key Arctic locations. His research demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between geology, climate science, and archaeology, particularly in studying human-environment interactions in the North Atlantic region.

Dr. de Wet has received notable recognition including:

• Fulbright scholarship for research at the University of Bergen, Norway

Dr. de Wet's academic journey includes postdoctoral research at the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he expanded his expertise in organic geochemical proxies. His current research program at Smith College continues to advance methodologies for paleoclimate reconstruction while addressing pressing questions about Arctic environmental change. Although specific grant information isn't detailed in the provided materials, his research trajectory suggests involvement in significant climate science funding initiatives.

Dr. de Wet collaborates with international research teams across multiple Arctic field sites, particularly in Svalbard and the Faroe Islands. His work involves laboratory analysis of sediment cores using advanced geochemical and molecular techniques, often in collaboration with researchers from institutions including the University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Colorado Boulder, and various European universities. These collaborations form the foundation of his ongoing research program at Smith College.