As an environmental scientist who is interested in understanding the global carbon cycle and how humans and our activities are changing it I love my job. Everyday I get to work on interesting questions that have ramifications for everyone on Earth. To answer these questions I travel to field sites all across the globe from the Congo to Alaska to the Amazon to Siberia. On top of that I get to do this with a great group of colleagues from all across the world. As I start packing up equipment in my office today in preparation for our imminent departure for Siberia I’m excited as ever thinking about the scientific questions we will address during our stay in Cherskiy. I’m also looking forward to seeing Russian colleagues and friends at the Northeast Science Station as well as the scientists and students who will come with me on this field campaign. It will be strange to not have the students and scientists from last year with us and I can’t imagine the mini-barge without Max and we will miss you all. I get the privilege though of taking new scientists with me including some who I have worked with extensively in Alaska. If I don’t respond to e-mails for the next month I apologize but I’m living the dream in Siberia.

Destination: Siberia