Present
After graduating with a thesis in December 2021, Kelly moved to Charleston South Carolina and is actively looking for future opportunities to create a community between scientists and the society in which scientific problems occur.
Graduate Experience
2019 – 2021 Kelly attended Old Dominion University in pursuit of a M.S. of Ocean and earth Science, with a concentration in physical oceanography related to societal issues. Achieving the Graduate Certificate for Conservation Leadership, Kelly conducted 4 research projects to assist in solving Wicked Problems. Wicked Problems are scientific problems rooted in society, therefore requiring specific and unique solutions utilizing the opinions of relevant stakeholders. After complete the certificate requirements, Kelly went on to Mentor the incoming leaders.
2020 – 2021 Kelly also volunteered as the Ocean and Earth Science’s Graduate Student Organization as President. This role required careful consideration to understand how to continue graduate moral and foster a community between the graduate students, professors, and graduate school during a time of physical separation due to the COVID-19 shut down.
During her time as a graduate student, Kelly attended and led stakeholder meetings for various projects, attended scientific meetings to increase communication regarding the global climate problem, presented in National and International meetings, and published papers regarding the climate problem and the plastic problem.
The resulting thesis assessed the risk of increasing plastics in the coastal zone on the ocean during a time of sea level rise and climate change. Uniquely, the assessment did not assess risk in terms of dollar amount but in terms of amount of plastic entering the ocean.
Gap Year Experience
2018 – 2019 Kelly then interned at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) in the Division of Materials Management, Bureau of Solid Waste. Here she worked analyzing and compiling Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) data from different landfills across the capital district. Attending landfill sites, she conducted field work to determine groundwater flow for monitoring wells.
In 2019, Kelly started a job at the NYSDEC in the Pollution Prevention Unit. Creating sustainability content for residents, research harmful chemicals and ingredients, and assisting in create procurement restrictions.
Undergraduate Experience
From 2014 to 2018 Kelly Jones attended Hartwick College to pursue an undergraduate degree in Geology. Taking advantage of the study abroad opportunities, she was able to conduct field work across the globe. First, in Hawaii assessing the geologic make-up of various islands. Then studying for a semester at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland which including numerous field work opportunities as well. Finally, a few weeks in Barbados to understand the taphonomy of the Eemian Stage Reef to conduct research for a thesis paper and poster presentation under the advisement of Dr. David Griffing.
2016-2018 Kelly Jones server as a student leader for the Hartwick College Geologic Society.
