1. How would you describe your role at INSTAAR?
Which one? [laughs] I manage three labs: the Sediment/Plant Processing Lab, Sediment/Plant Analysis Lab, and the XRD/Sediment Prep Lab. I also keep an eye on Anne’s Micropaleo Lab—and on SEEL in general, for INSTAAR. I organize conferences, including the Arctic Workshop. I’m only part time, so I move around a lot.
I just really like helping people. I try to help whoever has a question. Even if I don't know the answer, I can figure out who does. I like learning new things, too. When I can learn something new, that's a good day.
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2. How did you come to follow this path?
I started working for John Andrews as an undergraduate student. So I worked in the Sedimentology Lab when Rolf KihlÌýwas running it. He said, "You should run this lab when I retire." When I finished my master's degree, Rolf was retiring; and John suggested I apply, so I did!
I work with several PIs. We have some new faculty coming in: is coming in the fall, and Melisa and Shaily are setting up their groups. I’m looking forward to that.
Rolf Kihl works in the INSTAAR Sed Lab in RL-1 while wearing his cherished CU Buffs sweater. Click to zoom.