shawnee traylor
chemical oceanographer | environmental advocate | adventurer
I am a chemical oceanographer and Postdoctoral Fellow at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). My work brings together my background in chemistry, environmental engineering, carbon sequestration, and water quality. Using a combination of autonomous platforms and traditional fieldwork, I study the ocean's role in regulating climate through the uptake of carbon dioxide. Understanding these natural processes may enable ocean-based climate solutions such as marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) and is foundational for responsible monitoring, reporting, and verification in the emerging market.
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The natural world transcends national boundaries, so my research has taken me all over the world, from getting stuck in penguin traffic in Antarctica to diving over tropical corals in Panama. I completed my doctoral work in the MIT-WHOI Joint Program Biogeochemical Ocean Observation and Modeling Lab (BOOMLAB), where I was supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP). My undergraduate degree is from Columbia University, where I gained essential hands-on research and teaching experience in urban air and water quality, geological and coastal carbon sequestration, and field engineering methods. I am passionate about implementing accessible observational systems to enable scientists and communities alike to engage with their natural environment. I believe strongly in the sharing my research outside of academia, and seek out opportunities to be engaged in public outreach and climate advocacy.
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my vision
My work is driven by the desire to contribute to three core ambitions:
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1. Developing nature-based solutions to mitigate and decelerate the impacts of climate change
2. Ensuring the preservation of pristine wilderness for future generations
3. Championing a future where safe, clean water access is not only a privilege, but a human right
my passion
My passions are interwoven with my work: sailing, climbing, hiking, skiing, and mountaineering.
Environmental stewardship starts with personal investment. Alongside my research, I dream of developing educational programs that combine science and outdoor recreation to empower people to engage with wild places respectfully and safely, fostering individual commitment to their preservation.
