Sarah M. Aarons
Sarah M. Aarons (saarons@ucsd.edu) is Assistant Professor, Scripps Institution
of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
I work to understand the chemical evolution of Earth’s surface in the past and present.
Our group tracks the chemical changes in mineral dust transported in the atmosphere and
deposited over the ocean, ice sheets, and land. We have started to measure nontraditional
stable isotope compositions of seawater and marine sediments to probe the utility of these
new proxies. I have always been fascinated by using isotope geochemistry to track changes
in material or its history and applying it to understand past climates. I stumbled upon this
field of study through a combination trying new classes and meeting welcoming mentors at
the right academic transitions. Receipt of several fellowships both during my PhD and as a
postdoctoral researcher allowed me to continue in this field. I am currently an assistant pro-
fessor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
The field of isotope geochemistry is one of the least accessible and diverse subfields of the
geosciences. Trace metal clean labs and mass spectrometers are very costly, so our ability to
conduct this research is constrained by whether we have these facilities at our institutions or
whether our advisors have close working relationships with those that do. Maintaining rela-
tionships with supportive collaborators who can facilitate research helped me to stay active
in the field of isotope geochemistry and to branch out into new subfields.
I am an Iñupiaq (Alaska Native), born and raised in Alaska. My mom was born in a one
room cabin with no running water or electricity, and her and her family and our ancestors
before that relied on the land for subsistence. We grew up spending so much time outside
and becoming intimately familiar with small subtle nuances in the environment that gave
us clues about where the best berry patches or fishing spots were. Both my parents fostered
my love of science and were always encouraging of my academic path. I experienced the
loss of my mom during graduate school, which emphasized the importance of prioritizing
what is most important to me: my family. I now have a partner who is wholly supportive of
my career, and having this equal partnership in raising our child has allowed me to main-
tain my commitment to both science and personal values.
Since graduate school, I see more and more women in our field and more diversity in
the people who are earning PhDs and being appointed to faculty and research positions.
When I started graduate school, I did not know of any other Indigenous Earth scientists,
and now there is an active and supportive cohort of them. Seeing more representation and
having trusting relationships with people who understand and validate my experiences has
helped me immensely. Having people who I trust and can rely on for advice and guidance
throughout this journey is invaluable. I am thrilled to see the new and exciting science that
is emerging from a more inclusive cohort of scientists and the structural shifts that are hap-
pening to make this field a more welcoming environment.
Sarah, her partner Nick, and their son
Cas on a windy but beautiful evening in
Anchorage, Alaska, during the summer
of 2023. Photo credit Sarah Aarons