Welcome! 

Hi, my name is Ellen! I am currently pursuing a PhD in Geography at the University of Tennessee's Tree Ring Lab. I am a researcher and artist with experience in land stewardship and conservation nonprofit work. 

I specialize in dendrochronology (tree-ring science) to analyze and reconstruct spatiotemporal variability in climate and environmental conditions. The ongoing climate crisis has rendered our shared futures more precarious than ever, but we can better understand and be prepared for its accompanying socio-ecological challenges through the vibrant stories that trees tell. 

My research is rooted in biogeography, climate, and ecology—primarily in using dendrochronology (tree-ring science) to examine changes in climate and environmental conditions throughout space and time. I am particularly interested in studying the dynamics of peatland ecosystems under anthropogenic climate change and land disturbances. However, much of my work also looks to integrate (and intervene with) critical, creative, and queer trans geographic practices towards how we conduct research in the physical sciences through a dynamic, transdisciplinary approach.

Please feel free to reach out anytime to ebergan@vols.utk.edu.