Lindsey Middleton
University of Wisconsin – Madison
President
Lindsey is a PhD student in the Life Sciences Communication department at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. In the past, she has researched coproduction, which is collaboration between researchers and policymakers to create a research agenda, on behalf of the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center. Her research interests include science engagement, science policy, science education, science dialogue, new media and science, and the linkage of group identity, values, and behaviors with science trust and messages. She has worked as an editor at a water research institute and as a communication specialist at a climate center, and she hopes to bring that experience into her research of science communication issues. In her free time, Lindsey likes to ski and go hiking.
Clay Tucker, Ph.D.
University of Alabama
Vice President
Clay is a postdoctoral tree-ring scientist at the University of Alabama. He graduated with a PhD in Geography at Louisiana State University in May 2020, and his dissertation research explores climate risk to cypress swamps and pine savannas on the Gulf Coast. He was born and raised in Baton Rouge, LA, and before beginning his doctorate, he earned B.S. and M.S. degrees at LSU. As a native Louisianaimal, Clay is passionate about research on the Gulf of Mexico coastline, especially as it pertains to hurricanes, sea level rise, and coastal communities. In his free time he enjoys cooking, fishing, and cycling in the outdoors of the Gulf Coast.
Cait Rottler, Ph.D.
University of Oklahoma & USDA Southern Plains Climate Hub
Webmaster
Cait is a post-doc researcher with interests in just about everything ecology or climate-related, though her PhD is in Ecology. Though a chronic generalist, one common thread tying together her many varied interests is the relationship between people and ecosystems–whether wilderness, urban, agricultural, or otherwise–especially in the context of a changing climate. She especially values learning about how ecosystems were managed prior to European colonization and hopes to encourage ecosystem science and management to be more inclusive of Tribal and Indigenous expertise and perspectives, though she’s often uncertain how best to do so as an early career scientist. She received her PhD at the University of Wyoming (in Laramie, WY) and a B.S. in Biology at the University of New Mexico (in Albuquerque, NM).
In her free time, Cait enjoys starting crafts (but rarely finishes anything), hanging out at the barn with her dog and her horse, reading, and writing fiction. She has also been singing since she could talk, and anyone who has been around her for very long can attest to her habit of humming and singing along with anything that has a melody, including commercials on the TV. In addition to her horse and dog, she has 4 cats and a ball python, plus an ever-fluctuating number of houseplants. She is a proud Burqueña, and as such holds very decided opinions about the absolute superiority of Hatch green chile to any other green chile, as well as the necessity of luminarias and biscochitos to having a proper Christmas.
Ashley Booth
Louisiana State University
Social Media Coordinator
Ashley R Booth is a PhD Candidate in the School of Renewable Natural Resources at Louisiana State University. Her dissertation research is focused on coastal wetland sustainability and science communication theory. After nearly a decade in the scientific community, Ashley believes that addressing the disconnect between academic research and implementation is essential for effective environmental conservation. Her work is designed to promote coastal stewardship and connect land managers with relevant, actionable scientific research. She also collaborates with local authors and visual artists to find alternative ways to communicate coastal science. In her free time, Ashley enjoys reading, exploring Louisiana’s wetlands, training her hunting dog, and dancing.
Ashley holds an MS in marine and environmental biology from Nicholls State University, a BS in animal and veterinary science from Clemson University, and an AS in veterinary technology from Tri-County Technical College.
Paulina Cwik
University of Oklahoma
Blog Editor
Paulina is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability at the University of Oklahoma. She received her master’s degree in Geography at the OU in 2019. Currently, she is conducting dissertation research on the impacts of climate change on atmospheric patterns that are associated with tornado outbreaks in the United States. Her research interest includes severe weather, natural hazards and disasters, environmental sustainability, large-scale climate variability, and climate change.
Paulina grew up in Poland and, in addition to her scientific interests, she received professional training in classical violin playing (she earned B.S. at the Music Conservatory in Poznan). In her free time, she enjoys traveling, water sports, music, and cooking.
Early Career Climate Network 