HELLO THERE! I'M AUTUM DOWNEY
I believe that black lives matter. Racism continues to be present in our society. Geosciences has taken part in marginalization and discrimination and today, it remains one of the least diverse STEM fields. The exclusion of minoritized groups from research, knowledge, and academic discourse is unethical. This is a paramount issue that must be addressed. It is, and will remain, our responsibility to educate and prioritize the steps necessary to dismantle this system of oppression in science and society.
I am a PhD student at the University of Washington. I am an aqueous geochemist with a focus on microbial - water - sediment interactions. I am interested in the interconnection between the organic and inorganic realms, particularly within "extreme" environments. My current work is aiming to quantify sorption and retention of heavy metals onto archaea cell surfaces. Thanks for visiting!
RECENT UPDATES
EDUCATION
2021-Present
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
Dual titled PhD in Earth and Space Science and Astrobiology under Dr. Drew Gorman-Lewis
January 2018 - August 2020
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
Masters of Science in Geology under Dr. Dorothy Vesper
August 2014 - December 2017
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
Bachelors of Science in Geology with a minor in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
RESEARCH GALLERY
During the summer of 2021 we worked through the analytical methodology for identifying mineral phases within microbial induced carbonate precipitation using FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy). This work was done in collaboration with the Biogeotechnics Lab at The University of Washington.
My work focuses on the connection between field and lab work (and the discrepancy between the two). My M.S. work focused on cave sedimentation in response to extreme weather events on the Island of Puerto Rico through a combination of field and laboratory work. This work was funded through the NIH Superfund Research Program. This grant, called PROTECT (Puerto Rico Test Site for Exploring Contamination Threats), aims at linking the exceptionally high preterm birthrate in Puerto Rico to groundwater contamination.
EXPERIENCE
June 2021- Present
GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
University of Washington
August 2020 - April 2021
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
West Virginia University
January 2018 - July 2020
GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT
West Virginia University
Instructor for intro level Geology labs
Lecture assistant for upper division Geochemistry, Geomathematics, and Hydrogeology
A NOTE TO FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS
I am a first generation student in higher education. I understand the hardships associated with navigating academia as a first generation student. There are many resources available to you! The McNair scholars program is focused on supporting minoratized groups and first generation students from undergraduate through to your PhD. They were an excellent resource to me and I encourage anyone interested to apply! See the link below for more information. In addition, it is an important goal of mine to mentor and advise young first generation scientists. Please do not hesitate to contact me! Diversity makes science better!
VOLUNTEERING AND OUTREACH
BUILDING ESTEAM
ongoing
eSTEAM (education in Science, Technology, Engeering, Astrobiology, and Mathmatics) connects with incarcerated youth through weekly one-on-one tutoring and mentoring.
UW ROCKIN' OUT
September 2021
Rockin' Out is an Earth and Space Sciences outreach organization at the University of Washington, particularly with K-12 students.
UW EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE DIVERSITY COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE
Committee works with other department representatives (staff, faculty, undergrads, etc.) to develop strategies for the department and the college with respect to JEDI issues. Committee attends to student concerns and perspectives addressing barriers to opportunity and access across race, gender, class, ethnicity, age, ability, sexual orientation, geography, citizenship status, and other factors.
September 2021
UW MATH SCIENCE UPWARD BOUND
July 2021
This program serves low-income and potential first-generation college students interested in STEM fields from Cleveland, Chief Sealth, Foster, and Franklin High Schools in King County in Washington State. Resources help eligible high school students excel in high school, get accepted to college and STEM majors, and graduate with a STEM degree.
GRADUATE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
Represent graduate students to faculty; attend and report on faculty meetings; make sure graduate students' voices are heard in the department by reporting at faculty meetings and/or through emails to department chair or committee chairs; pass on faculty concerns to grad students.
August 2019
ACCESSIBILITY NOTETAKER
Provided course notes for the Office of Accessibility Services. Efforts enhanced the educational opportunities for students with temporary and permanent disabilities.
January 2017
AWARDS AND HONORS
PROVOST'S EXCELLENCE FELLOWSHIP
October 2021
Department of Earth and Space Science, University of Washington
GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT
May 2019
Geological Society of America
MILTON TIDD AND DORIS E. HEALD PROMISING RESEARCHER AWARD
April 2019
Department of Geology and Geography, West Virginia University
MCNAIR SCHOLAR
June 2017
U.S. Department of Education
EBERLY SCHOLAR
April 2017
Eberly College of Arts and Science, West Viriginia University
"What kind of society could we create if, instead, we drummed into them science and a sense of hope?"