Catherine V Davis

Lab Group

Principal Investigator

Dr. Catherine Davis, Principal Investigator

Catherine Davis

PI, Associate Professor

I am an oceanographer, interested in drawing connections between ongoing and past climate change in the oceans. My research combines laboratory experimentation, modern field research, and marine microfossils along with the sedimentary record to understand the consequences of climate change in the ocean beyond the instrumental record. I am especially interested in links between climate change and deoxygenation, carbonate chemistry ('ocean acidification'), and the consequences for life in the open ocean.

Email: catherinedavis@ncsu.edu

Graduate Students

Rachel Alcorn, PhD Student

Rachel Alcorn

PhD Student
As a long-time lover of the marine sciences, I was happy to join the MEAS department as a graduate student in the Fall of 2022. While my previous experiences range from genetics to whale ecology, I am currently interested in paleoceanography and marine conservation. My research is currently focused on the use of foraminiferal fossil records to reconstruct past ocean condition, and this research can be utilized to better predict future changes to our oceans from modern climate change. Outside of my research, I am also an artist and a nerd for shells, fossils, and cool ocean critters.
Email: rcalcorn@ncsu.edu
@mantaarae
Mason Brown, PhD Student

Mason Brown

PhD Student
I study micropaleontology and paleoceanography with a focus on foraminifera and their applications to reconstructing past marine environments and climate. I previously earned an M.S. in Earth System Science and a B.S. in Earth Science with a concentration in Paleontology from George Mason University. My research interests include marine micropaleontology, biostratigraphy, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, and the use of microfossils to understand changes in Earth’s oceans through time. Outside of research, I has a background in science education and I am passionate about teaching and mentoring the next generation of Earth scientists. His long-term goal is to pursue a career as a professor or in science educational outreach.
Arpita Biswas, PhD Student

Arpita Biswas

PhD Student
Driven by a lifelong love for scientific inquiry and a passion for ecological and isotopic systems, I joined the MEAS department as a PhD student in the Fall of 2026. My diverse research background spans from studying dog behavioral ecology to analyzing arsenic contamination in groundwater. Today, my research focuses on foraminiferal morphology, ecological behavior, and chemical signatures to develop reliable climate proxies for paleoclimate reconstruction. I view research as one of the ultimate forms of creative work. Outside the laboratory, I channel my creativity into writing poetry, storytelling, crafting, dancing, and cooking, or staying active with badminton and ping pong. Ultimately, my goal is to leave a mark as both a scientific researcher and a creative writer.
Lucia Maldonado Cruzado, MS Student

Lucia Maldonado Cruzado

MS Student
I have been working with planktonic foraminifera for the past 5 years and keep learning new and fascinating aspects about them till this day. So, it was a pleasure to join the MEAS department in August 2023 as a graduate student to continue learning and conducting new research. My interests revolve around marine ecology, paleoceanography, and molecular biology of planktonic foraminifera. My research focuses on analyzing changes in foraminiferal assemblages captured by sediment traps, comparing them, and identifying relationships with the overlapping sediment record, all while considering the impacts of recent climate change. Outside the lab, you can find me at home reading a book, watching documentaries, or scary movies.

Kelly Fawcett

MS Student

Postdoctoral Researchers

Tommaso Paoloni

Postdoctoral Researcher

Tommaso Paoloni is a micropalaeontologist and oceanographer specializing in past oceanic environments and foraminiferal ecology. His research focuses on the isotopic composition (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) of organic matter bound to the tests of planktonic foraminifera, using these signals to reconstruct paleoenvironmental conditions and gain insights into the ecological dynamics of these key marine microorganisms.

Undergraduate Students

Lily Ramos

Undergraduate Student Researcher

Emma Doty

Undergraduate Student Researcher

Morgan Wade

Undergraduate Student Researcher

Camden Cook

Undergraduate Student Researcher

Past Lab Members

Shannon Doherty

Postdoctoral Researcher
Now an Assistant Professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks

Rhiannon Moore

MS Student
Now an Instructor at Los Angeles Harbor College

Emily Havard

MS Student
Now a PhD Student at NIOZ

Matthew Swierczynski

Matthew Swierczynski
Undergraduate Student Researcher

Katherine Cherry

Undergraduate Student Researcher
Now a PhD student at Texas A&M

Peyton Fitts

Undergraduate Student Researcher
Now an MS student at Duke University

Florent Fayolle

Visiting Graduate Student
University of Southampton

Sara Wall

Undergraduate Student Researcher

Lucas Smathers

Undergraduate Student Researcher
Research focus: Paleoceanography and sediment analysis

Kiki Alston

Undergraduate Student Researcher

Allie Hopper

Undergraduate Student Researcher

Join Our Team

Graduate Students

If you are interested in joining us in the 2026-2027 academic year, please email me with a CV and a description of your research interests. Information on the graduate program in the Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences can be found here.

Undergraduate Students

There are several routes for undergraduate students to participate in research in our lab. If you are an NC State undergraduate interested in climate change in the oceans, past or present, please email me with a description of your interests and background.

Postdoctoral Researchers

If you are interested in joining the lab as a postdoc, please reach out to me directly to discuss fellowship opportunities.