|
Karen McNeal
(Sell)
Assistant Professor
of Geology
Office: Hilbun Hall Room 100
Phone: (662) 325-1114
Fax: (662) 325-9423
email
|
My research as a biogeochemist
includes both laboratory and field projects that employ a range of
analytical chemical techniques including gas chromatography and mass
spectrometry, electrochemistry, microbiology, and in-situ
measurements to study microbial processes in natural
systems. Specifically, I investigate complex surficial earth systems
such as soils and sediments, the biotic and abiotic controls on
these systems, and the associated anthropogenic influences. My work
includes emphasis on the C,
N, S, and Fe cycles and the coupled redox processes in sediments
overlain by hypoxic (low oxygen) waters. I also study the production
of biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in soils, where I am
currently working on the effect of environmental factor perturbation on microbial VOC metabolite production and community composition
shift in a variety of landscapes. Additionally, I have recently
investigated the biogeochemical characteristics of microbial mats in
hypersaline ponds in San Salvador, Bahamas.
My research in
geoscience education and geocognition explores questions concerning
the human understanding of complex earth systems. I study the impact
of using various pedagogical methods including inquiry-,
technology-, data-, and game-based activities on students’
conceptual model development and understanding of these systems
using an array of qualitative and quantitative evaluation and
assessment measures.
I am originally from Chicago, IL and
outside of my research and teaching, I enjoy spending time with my
husband and cat, hiking, fishing, exercising, scuba diving, and most
other outdoor activities.
Education
Ph.D. (Geology), Texas A&M University, 2007
M.S. (Oceanography), Texas A&M University, 2003
B.S. (Marine Science), Eckerd College, 2000
Experience
Assistant Professor of Geology, Mississippi State University,
2007–Present
Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M
University, Summer 2007
Graduate Fellow, NSF Graduate K-12 Program, Texas A&M University,
2006-2007
Graduate Assistant, NSF ITS Center for Teaching and Learning, Texas
A&M University, 2003-2006
Research Assistant, Department of
Oceanography, Texas A&M University, 2002-2003
Scherck Fellow, Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University,
2000-2002
Laboratory Teaching Assistant, Chemical and Physical Oceanography,
Eckerd College, 1999-2000
Undergraduate NSF REU Student, Eckerd College/University of South
Florida, Summer 1999
Laboratory Teaching Assistant, General Chemistry I and II, Eckerd
College, 1998-1999
Geochemistry Research Intern, United States Geological Survey (USGS),
St. Petersburg, FL, Summer 1998
Publications
Peer-Reviewed:
Sherman-Morris K., Clary R., McNeal
K.S., and Gillham D. 2008. Web-Design Activities to Support
Geoscience Teacher Development. Journal of Geoscience Education:
in review.
McNeal K.S.
and Herbert B.E. 2008. Volatile organic metabolites as indicators
of microbial community
composition shifts. Soil Science Society
of America Journal: in revision.
McNeal K.S.,
Miller H.R., and Herbert B.E. 2008. Developing non-science majors’
conceptual models of complex Earth systems in a physical geology
course.
Journal of Geoscience Education
56: 201-211 [Abstract]
McCarthy M.J., McNeal K.S., Gardner W.S., Morse J.W. 2008.
Bottom-water hypoxia effects on sediment-water interface nitrogen
transformations in a seasonally hypoxic, shallow bay (Corpus Christi
Bay, Texas, USA). Estuaries and Coasts 31:521-531.
[Abstract]
Sell
K.S., Herbert B.E., Stuessy C., and Schielack J. 2006.
Supporting student conceptual model development of complex earth
systems through the use of multiple representations and inquiry.
Journal of Geoscience Education 54: 396-407.
[Abstract]
Sell K.S.
and Morse J.W. 2006. Influences of seasonal hypoxia on iron and
sulfur biogeochemistry in coastal sediments. Aquatic
Geochemistry. 12: 179-198. [Abstract]
Gardner W.S., McCarthy M.J., Sobolev D., Soonmo A., Sell
K.S. and Brock D. 2005. Nitrogen fixation and dissimilatory
nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) support nitrogen dynamics in
Texas estuaries. Limnology and Oceanography. 51: 558-568.
[Abstract]
Morse J.W., DiMarco S.F., Hebert A.B., Sell K.S. 2003. A
scaling approach to spatial variability in early diagenetic
processes. Hydrobiologia. 494: 25-29.
[Abstract]
Morse J.W., DiMarco S.F., Sell K.S. and Herbert A.B. 2003.
Determination of the optimum sampling intervals in sediment pore
waters using the autocovariance function. Aquatic Geochemistry.
9: 41-57. [Abstract]
Morse J.W., Gledhill D.K., Sell K.S., and Arvidson R.S. 2002.
Pyritization of iron in sediments from the continental slope of the
northern Gulf of Mexico. Aquatic Geochemistry. 8: 3-13.
[Abstract]
Byrne R.H., Xuewu L., Kaltenbacher E.A., Sell K.S., 2002.
Spectrophotometric measurement of total inorganic carbon in aqueous
solutions using liquid core waveguide. Analytica Chimica
Acta.
451: 221-229. [Abstract]
Morse J.W., Gledhill D.K., Sell K.S.
and Arvidson R.S. 2001. Reaction kinetics of iron with sulfide in
anoxic marine sediments from unique biologic environments. In:
The Biogeochemistry of Iron Cycling in Natural Environments.
Zhang, Coates (eds.), Kluwer Academic, New York.
Hopkins A.E., Sell K.S., Soli A.L., and Byrne R.H. 2000.
In-situ spectrophotometric pH measurements: the effect of pressure
on thymol blue protonation and absorbance characteristics.
Marine Chemistry. 71: 103-109. [Abstract]
Theses and Dissertations:
McNeal
K.S.
2007. Understanding complex earth systems: volatile metabolites as
microbial ecosystem proxies and student conceptual model development
of coastal eutrophication. Doctoral Dissertation, Texas A&M
University. pp. 1-172.
Sell K.S.
2003. Temporal influences of seasonal hypoxia on sediment
biogeochemistry in coastal waters. Masters Thesis, Texas A&M
University. pp. 1-142.
Sell K.S.
2000.
In-situ spectrophotometric pH measurements: the use of thymol blue
indicator in both high pressure and long pathlength cells to
determine the CO2 parameters of seawater. Undergraduate
Thesis, Eckerd College. pp. 1-50.
Professional Memberships
Association of Environmental
and Engineering Geologists
Sigma Gamma Epsilon
Soil Science Society of America
National
Association of Geoscience Teachers
American Society
of Limnology & Oceanography
American
Geophysical Union
Geological Society
of America
Karen's Complete Vita
The
Biogeochemistry and Geoscience Education Research
Group (BGERG) and Laboratory Homepage
