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RAQUEL BRYANT
Department of Geology & Geophysics, Texas A&M University | raquel@tamu.edu
raquelbryant.com | Twitter: @foramsraqu | ORCHID ID: 0000-0003-3307-4228

Institution Department Degree & Year

University of Massachusetts, Amherst Geosciences Ph.D, Geosciences, 2020
Brown University Earth, Environmental, and B.A, Geology & Biology, 2015
Planetary Sciences

Appointments

2020-present Geosciences Future Faculty Postdoctoral Fellow, College of Geosciences, Texas A&M
University

2015-2020 Graduate Student Research Fellow, Department of Geosciences, UMass Amherst

2016-2017 Teaching Associate, Department of Geosciences, Smith College

Major Grants and Fellowships

NSF EAGER: Collaborative Research: “Alliance-Building Offshore to Achieve Resilience and Diversity
(All-ABOARD)” – Award No. 2035093; $299,781; Sharon Cooper (LDEO, PI), Benjamin Keisling (Co-PI),
Raquel Bryant (Co-PI); ICER; Oct 2020 – Sept 2022.

NSF EAR-PF: “Biotic resilience and susceptibility through hyperthermals: Tropical marine temperatures
and ecological impacts through the Cretaceous Hothouse and Oceanic Anoxic Event 2” – Award No.
1952934; $174,000; Award declined by PI.

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship; $138,000; Sept 2017- Aug 2020.

Randolph & Cecile Bromery Graduate Fellowship, UMass Amherst Department of Geosciences; $52,800;
Sept 2015 – Aug 2017.

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Keisling, B., R. Bryant, N. Golden, L. Stevens, and E. Alexander (2020); Does Our Vision of Diversity
Reduce Harm and Promote Justice?; GSA Today, v. 30; https://doi.org/10.1130/GSATG429GW.1.
Published on 01 Sept 2020.

Keisling, B., R. Bryant, N. Fernandez, M. G. Arredondo, and N. Golden (2020); What’s in a seminar?;
Eos, 101; https://doi.org/10.1029/2020EO142460. Published on 09 April 2020.

Lam, A.R., Bauer, J.E., Fraas, S., Sheffield, S., Limbeck, M.R., Borden, R.M., Thompson-Munson, M.E.,
Fraas, A.J., Hils, J.M., Muskelly, C.E., Hartshorn, K.R., Bryant, R. (2019). “Time Scavengers: An
Educational Website to Communicate Climate Change and Evolutionary Theory to the Public through
Blogs, Web Pages, and Social Media Platforms” Journal of STEM Outreach Vol. 2.
https://doi.org/10.15695/jstem/v2i1.05.

Lowery, C.M., Leckie, R.M., Bryant, R., Elderbak, K., Parker, A., Polyak D.E., Schmidt, M., Snoeyenbos-
West, O., Sterzinar, E. (2018). “The Late Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway as a model for
oxygenation change in epicontinental restricted basins”. Earth-Science Reviews 177, 545-564.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2017.12.001.
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Publications in preparation

Bryant, R., Leckie, R.M., Bralower, T.J., Jones, M.M, Sageman, B.B. “High resolution foraminiferal
assemblages of the Tokay Tongue (Mancos Shale): Unique paleoenvironments at the southern end of the
Western Interior Seaway and the onset of Oceanic Anoxic Event 2”. In prep for submission to
Micropaleontology.

Bryant, R., Leckie, R.M., Dameron, S., Elderbak, K., Parker, A., Sageman, B.B., Jones, M.M., Ludvigson,
G., Martin, E.E., Robinson, L., Rostami, M.A., Whiteside, J.H. “Paleoceanographic change across the
Western Interior Seaway during the onset of Cretaceous Oceanic Anoxic Event 2”. In prep for submission
to Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology.

Grants and Awards for Diversity Initiatives

“Can We Talk? Targeted Workshops to Promote Understanding Across Difference”; $1,250; Campus
Climate Improvement Grant – Office of Equity and Inclusion, UMass Amherst; Sept 2020-Sept 2021.

Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award; $1,000; College of Natural Sciences, UMass Amherst; May
2018.

“Broadening Relationships, Impacts, and Discussions in Geosciences and ECO (BRiDGE) Lecture
Series”; $2,500; Campus Climate Improvement Grant – Office of Equity and Inclusion, UMass Amherst;
Jan 2018-Jan 2019.

Additional research funding

“Paleoceanographic implications of rising sea level in the Western Interior Seaway though the
Cenomanian-Turonian boundary interval”; $1,200; UMass Amherst Alumni Grant; May – Sept 2017.

“Foraminiferal response to rapid global climate change and the role of the Western Interior Seaway in the
development of Oceanic Anoxic Event 2”; $3,788; UMass Amherst Alumni Grant; May – Sept 2016.

Invited Talks

“Water mass distribution in the Western Interior during Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 based on foraminiferal
assemblages” - October 29, 2020; Cushman Foundation Symposium at GSA 2020.

“Investigating ancient oceanographic change through microfossils – October 5, 2020; Texas A&M
University”, Department of Oceanography.

“Equity and Women of Color in STEM” – November 18, 2019; University of Florida, Association for
Women Geoscientists Chapter.

“Paleoceanographic implications of global climate change in the Western Interior Seaway”; April 20, 2017;
Smith College, Department of Geosciences.

Conference abstracts

Batenburg, S., Jenkyns, H., Bryant, R., Leckie, M., Dickson, A., Robinson, S., Ruhl, M., and Eldrett, J.:
Oceanography of the Western Interior Seaway during OAE 2 using Nd isotopes, EGU General Assembly
2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-19580, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-19580, 2020.
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Bryant, R., Leckie, R.M. (2019). Paleoceanographic change in the Western Interior Seaway though
Oceanic Anoxic Event 2. Poster presented at the 13th International Conference on Paleoceanography,
Sydney, Australia, 2-6 Sept.

Bryant, R., Leckie, R.M. (2019). Water mass change in the Western Interior Seaway though OAE2:
Evidence from geochemical and foraminferal records. Poster presented at Goldscmidt Geochemistry
Conference 2019, Barcelona, Spain, 9-23 Aug.

Bryant, R., Leckie, R.M., Elderbak, K., Martin, E.E., Rostami, M.A. (2018). The role of the Western
Interior Seaway in the development of Oceanic Anoxic Event 2. Abstract PP53A-08 presented at 2018
AGU Fall Meeting, Washington, DC, 10-14 Dec.

Yézou, C.F., Bryant, R. (2018). UMass Amherst’s Chancellor Randolph W. Bromery: His Invaluable Work
for STEM, Black Studies, and an Inclusive Educational System in the United States. Abstract ED22A-02
presented at 2018 AGU Fall Meeting, Washington, DC, 10-14 Dec.

Bryant, R., Cooper, S. (2018). Mentoring opportunities for graduate students through STEM SEAS.
Abstract ED12A-11 presented at 2018 AGU Fall Meeting, Washington, DC, 10-14 Dec.

Bryant, R., Golden, N.A., Garcia Arredondo, M., Keisling, B.A., (2018). BRiDGE: a student-led effort to
increase the diversity of speakers invited to campus. Poster presentation at 2018 GSA Annual Meeting,
Indianapolis, IN, 4-7 Nov.

Bryant, R., Leckie, R.M., Sageman, B.B., Jones, M.M. (2018). High-resolution foraminiferal and stable
isotope record from the Tokay Tongue (Mancos Shale) through the onset of Oceanic Anoxic Event 2.
Paper No. 235-12 presented at 2018 GSA Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, IN, 4-7 Nov.

Bryant, R., Lam, A.R. Leckie, R.M., Elderbak, K., Lowery, C.M., Parker, A. (2018). Environmental
distribution of foraminiferal morphotypes through the onset of OAE2 in the Western Interior Seaway.
Poster presentation at the International Symposium on Foraminifera, Edinburgh, UK, 17-22 Jun.

Bryant, R., Lam, A.R. (2017). Detecting depth gradients in the mid-Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway.
Abstract PP51D-07 presented at 2017 AGU Fall Meeting, New Orleans, LA, 11-15 Dec.

Bryant, R., Keisling, B.A. (2017). Graduate student driven efforts to increase diversity of department
lecture series. Abstract ED22B-03 presented at 2017 AGU Fall Meeting, New Orleans, LA, 11-15 Dec.

Bryant, R., Leckie, R.M. (2017). Foraminiferal response to the onset of OAE2 near the southern aperture
of the Western Interior Seaway. Paper No. 217-11 presented at 2017 GSA Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA,
22-25 Oct.

Bryant, R., Leckie, R.M., Elderbak, K., Martin, E.E., Rostami, M.A. (2017). Foraminiferal assemblages of
the Tokay Tongue (Mancos Shale) through the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary interval. Poster
presentation at North American Micropaleontological Society, Houston, TX, 5-9 Apr.

Bryant, R., Cooper, S., Lewis, J.C., Thomson, K.B. (2017). The role of social media in recruitment and
retention of diverse geoscience undergraduates. Paper No. 39-6 presented at 2017 NE/NC GSA Section
Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, 19-21 Mar.

Bryant, R., Leckie, R.M., Elderbak, K., Martin, E.E., Rostami, M.A. (2016). Paleoceanographic
implications of rising sea level in the Western Interior Seaway though the Cenomanian-Turonian
boundary interval. Paper No. 264-2 presented at 2016 GSA Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, 25-28 Sept.
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Bryant, R., Sibert, E.C., and Norris, R.D. (2014). An Early Eocene Ichthyolith Record from Demerara
Rise (ODP Site 1258: Equatorial Atlantic Ocean). Abstract PP11A-1334 presented at 2014 AGU Fall
Meeting, San Francisco, CA, 15-19 Dec.

Freilich, M., Bryant, R., Butcher, A., Knox, B., McAdams, J., Parker, D., Plummer, A., Stanley, Z.,
Watson-Daniels, J. (2014). Undergraduate-driven interventions to increase representation in science
classrooms. Abstract ED43B-3465 presented at 2014 AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, 15-19 Dec.

Additional research experience

2014-2015 Research Assistant for Professor Steven Clemens (Department of Earth, Environmental
and Planetary Sciences, Brown University); Picked specimens of G.ruber from IODP site
U1429 (East China Sea) for geochemical analysis.

2014 SURF REU Research Intern for Professor Richard Norris (Scripps Institution of
Oceanography, UC San Diego); Created a high resolution ichthyolith (fish tooth) record
for ODP site 1258 (Demerara Rise).

2013-2014 Co-Principal Investigator with then postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Suzanne Birch (Joukowsky
Institute for Archaeology, Brown University); Evaluated a new method for preparing
archaeological teeth for stable isotope analysis.

2013 NHRE REU Research Intern for Curator Brian Huber (Department of Paleobiology,
Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History); Revised biostratigraphy and
evaluated preservation of foraminiferal assemblages from the Agulhas and Naturaliste
Plateaus

Teaching and Geoscience education experience

William Lee Science Impact Program (Lee SIP) REU Journal club leader (Summer 2019).

STEM SEAS Graduate student Mentor and Instructor (May 2016, Aug 2016, June 2018); mentored a total
of 28 undergraduate research projects during 2-week shipboard experiences.

NSF GRFP Application Mentor, Office of Professional Development, UMass Graduate School (Fall 2018).

Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Graduate Student Mentor (2016-2017);
mentored undergraduate Geography student.

Each One, Reach One Mentoring Program, Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success
(CMASS) Graduate Student Mentor (2015-2017).

Courses Taught as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant: GEOLOGY 1240: Stratigraphy &

Sedimentation (Fall 2014).

Leadership in Diversity Initiatives

Optimizing the Research Intern Experience to Build Inclusion and Diversity in the Geosciences
Workforce, Workshop participant (June 27 – 29, 2019, Woods Hole, Massachusetts).

BRiDGE Lecture Series, Co-founder and Team Member (2017-2020); This program aims to increase the
diversity of departmental seminar series and invites underrepresented, early-career scientists to give a
science talk, broader impacts talk, and network with graduate students (blogs.umass.edu/bridge).
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Graduate Women in STEM (GWIS), Mentoring Committee Co-Chair and Co-Chair of #Safeatwork
Campaign (2017-2019); Organized events to facilitate mentoring relationships between undergrads,
graduate students, postdocs and faculty in STEM; Advocated for graduate students navigating
experiences with sexual violence in academia and raised awareness to sexual violence in STEM
academia.

New England Future Faculty Workshop, Planning Committee Member (2016-2017), ADVANCE Office of
Faculty Development Northeastern University (https://faculty.northeastern.edu/advance/faculty-
recruitment/future-faculty-workshop/ffw-2017/).

Service to the profession

Co-convener of P4 – “The Next Generation of Geoscience Leaders: Strategies for Excellence in Diversity
and Inclusion” (Pardee Symposium); GSA, Oct 27, 2020.

Co-convener of PP11B – “Mesozoic and Early Cenozoic Greenhouse Climates: Extreme Analogues for
Future Global Change”; AGU, Dec 9, 2019.

Co-convener of ED33 – “The Next Generation of Geoscience Leaders: Contributions from Graduate
Students and Early-Career Scientists”; AGU, Dec 9, 2019.

Co-convener of PP51D – “Statistical and Biogeochemical Advances in Interpreting Environment and

Ecology from Marine Fossils”; AGU, Dec 15, 2017.

Service to the University

Member of Graduate Student Senate Committee on Student Food Insecurity; Organize family dinners
over the summer, Volunteer at Food Pantry during grad student-only hours (June 2017-May 2020)

Member of Chancellor’s Task Force on Sexual Misconduct; This task force was charged with assessing
the current state of awareness, reporting, and training around issues of sexual violence on campus and
with developing recommendations for improvement; We successfully advocated for the enactment of, and
formulated, a University policy on consensual relationships (Dec 2017-Apr 2018).

Member of Graduate Students of Color Association (GSCA); Organized and hosted events and
workshops surrounding issues of racial and ethnic identity in graduate school (Sept 2015-May 2019).

Service to the Department

Student Member of Geosciences Department Head Search Committee (Spring 2019)

Founder and Chair of Bromery Committee, Department of Geosciences (2018-2019); This committee
plans the annual Bromery Lecture and promotes visibility of Bromery Scholarship funds and facilities
collaborations with the W. E. B. Dubois Department of Afro-American Studies.

Coordinator of Geoscience Lecture Series (2017-2018).

Professional Affiliations

American Geophysical Union National Association of Black Geoscientists

Geological Society of America European Geochemistry Association
Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal The Paleontological Society
Research National Association of Geoscience Teachers