Welcome! 

Hi, my name is Ellen! I am currently pursuing a PhD in Geography at the University of Arizona as part of the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research. I am a scientist and artist with experience in land stewardship and conservation nonprofit work, as well as farming and community organizing. 

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 uses dendrochronology to examine spatiotemporal dynamics of northern peatland ecosystems across eastern North America. Combining questions in ecohydrology, hydroclimatic change, landscape disturbance, and biogeography, my work hopes to better understand peatland ecosystem resilience to better inform applied conservation strategies.  Alongside dendrochronology, my studies further explore integrating arts-based research, critical physical geography, and queer trans geographic scholarship to encourage transdisciplinary methods in physical science disciplines.  

Please feel free to reach out anytime to ebergan@arizona.edu.