Our lab works to quantify past environmental changes and understand the human contribution to these changes, particularly in relationship to climate. To do this, we use biological materials such as corals and algae as tools because they capture environmental characteristics including temperature in the properties of their skeleton. By measuring these chemical, physical, and biological skeletal properties, we can recreate past changes in the environment going back thousands of years. From these records, we can probe the mechanisms – including human activities – that cause our environment to change and determine the implications of these changes in the future. Since many regions are facing negative impacts from climate change, we work with these communities to help build resilience to our future world.
Visual Media
National Geographic Best Job Ever
National Geographic kids & Frozen in Time
Discovery Lecture Series presented by AltaSea and Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Contact Information
Dr. Branwen Williams, Professor of Environmental Science
W.M. Keck Science Department
Pitzer College and Scripps College
925 N. Mills Ave, Claremont, California
Email: bwilliams at kecksci.claremont.edu
Editor: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
Research portfolio: Google Scholar & Research Gate
Branwen Williams 