Bryce K. Belanger

I’m a geochemist and paleoclimatologist with a strong passion for both teaching and research. In November 2025, I will begin an NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Arizona. I earned my Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Sciences from Vanderbilt University in August 2025, and my B.A. in Geology from Middlebury College in 2019. My research focuses on reconstructing past climate change using speleothems, which are mineral deposits that form in caves over time. 

In my research I use geochemical techniques to better understand how precipitation changed during warm periods in earth’s past. I conduct field work in Wyoming, Utah, California, Kentucky, Tennessee, Curaçao, and the Philippines. My work in Wyoming seeks to understand the evolution of modern climate patterns (like El Niño) and the effect that these patterns have on rainfall, snowfall, and drought in water-stressed regions like the western United States. 

I am also passionate about teaching, with a specific focus on undergraduate education. I believe that geology and climate science serve as powerful tools for building a rewarding and well-rounded undergraduate education. My primary goal as an educator is to motivate each student to think critically and solve problems, equipping them with the skills and confidence necessary to tackle challenges in their careers and lives. I employ hands-on learning approaches and peer-to-peer communication to facilitate student engagement and encourage the development of problem-solving skills. In all aspects of my teaching, I focus on creating an inclusive environment where all students feel empowered to ask questions, be themselves, and thrive as learners.