Ashlee Dere, PhD
- Associate Professor
- 402.554.3317
- DSC 270
- geochemistry, geomorphology and soil genesis
Additional Information
Biography
Originally from San Diego, California, I moved to central California to complete my B.S. degree in Earth Sciences at the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. My studies there included minors in Geology, Soil Science, Sustainable Environments and French and I also competed for the NCAA Div. I cross-country and track (3000m steeplechase) teams. Following graduation, I spent a year abroad studying French at the Universite d'Aix-Marseille in Aix-en-Provence, France. Upon returning to the U.S., I completed my M.S. degree in Soil Science and then Ph.D. in Geosciences, both at Penn State University. Currently, I am an Assistant Professor of Geology in the Geography/Geology Department at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Teaching Interests
As a teacher, I strive to educate students as citizens that can make conscientious decisions about science and the environment. I aim to provide students with tools to further their careers in any field while gaining an appreciation for science and how it influences our daily lives. Active learning activities in the classroom as well as field and research experiences are integral to accomplishing these goals.
I currently teach GEOL 1170, an introductory level Physical Geology course, GEOL 4260, an upper level Process Geomorphology course, GEOG 4330, an upper level Soil Genesis course, and GEOL 2500, a Special Topics course involving a week-long field experience.
Research Interests
My research interests are focused on understanding fundamental controls on soil formation (both through chemical and physical processes) and how humans impact soils. I am especially interested in interactions occurring within the Critical Zone, which extends from the tree canopy to aquifers beneath the Earth's surface. The Critical Zone supports most terrestrial life on Earth and soils are a central constituent of this zone, serving as an interface for gas and water exchange and playing a major role in nutrient cycling that supports both ecosystems and humans. A more quantitative understanding of how rock weathers to form soil is necessary to make predictions about the future availability of soil to provide food for Earth's expanding population. I am specifically interested in investigating the balance between soil production and erosion, how soil forming factors control soil production rates, the impact of land use change on soils, the role of amendments in restoring degraded soil and how we can better measure and sample soils to answer these questions. Ultimately, the goal of my research is to help predict how soils and landscapes will change in the future and how we can better manage our soil resources.Service Summary
My main service interests are in STEM education and outreach, especially relating to Earth sciences. I believe that engaging students of all ages in an understanding of Earth processes and the relevance of science to their lives is important to developing critically thinking citizens and future stewards of the Earth. As part of my Ph.D. program, I taught and designed science curriculum for a 4th grade classroom through the NSF funded GK-12 CarbonEARTH program. The experience enabled me to practice communicating science to a variety of audiences as well as highlighting the importance of providing engaging educational opportunities, especially in Earth Sciences, that students might not otherwise receive. My goal is to continue working with K-12 teachers to provide science content and activities and engage with students to communicate the importance and excitement of science.Education
BS, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, Earth Sciences, Sustainable Environments, 2005
Other, Université Paul Cézanne Aix-Marseille III, Aix-en-Provence, France, French, 2006
MS, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, Soil Science, Biogeochemistry, 2009
PhD, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, Geosciences, Geochemistry, 2014
Additional Information
Current Research Projects
Land use impacts on Critical Zone Processes in the Midwest
- Glacier Creek Preserve, Bennington, Nebraska
- Clear Creek, Iowa City, Iowa
Lithologic and topographic controls on weathering and soil formation
- Juneau, Alaska
- Calvert Island, British Columbia
Climate controls on weathering and soil formation
- Wales, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Puerto Rico
- Brisbane, Australia
Recent Publications
Dere, A., Miller A., Hemje A., Parcher S., Capalli C., and Bettis A. III. (2019) Solute fluxes through restored prairie and intensively managed critical zones in Nebraska and Iowa. Front. Earth Sci: Biogeosci. 7:24. doi: 10.3389/feart.2019.00024
Wilson, C., Keefer L., Abban B., Wacha K., Dermisis D., Giannopoulos C., Zhou S., Goodwell A., Woo D., Yan Q., Ghadiri M., Stumpf A., Pitcel M., Lin Y., Marini L., Storsved B., Goff K., Vogelgesang J., Dere A., Schilling K., Muste M., Blair N., Rhoads B., Bettis E., Pai H., Kratt C., Sladek C., Wing M., Selker J., Tyler S., Lin H., Kumar P., and Papanicolaou A. (2018) The Intensively Managed Landscape Critical Zone Observatory: A scientific testbed for agroecosystem functions and services. Vadose Zone J. 17:180088. doi:10.2136/vzj2018.04.0088
Dere, A., Engelmann C., White, T., Wymore A., Hoffman A., Washburne J., and Conklin M. (2019) Implementing and assessing InTeGrate Critical Zone Science materials in an undergraduate geoscience program. In: Gosselin, D., Egger A. and Taber J. (eds.) Interdisciplinary Teaching about Earth and the Environment for a Sustainable Future. AESS Interdisciplinary Environmental Studies and Sciences Series. Springer, New York. pp. 123-144. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-03273-9_6
Li, L., Dibiase R., Del Vecchio J., Marcon V., Hoagland B., Xiao D., Wayman C., Tang Q., He Y., Silverhart P., Forsythe B., Williams J., Shapich D., Mount G., Kaye J., Guo Li, Lin H., Dere A., Brubaker K., Kaye M., Davis K., and Brantley S. (2018) The effect of lithology and agriculture at the Susquehanna Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory. Vadose Zone J. 17:180063. doi:10.2136/vzj2018.03.0063
Herndon, E., Steinhoefel G., Dere A. and Sullivan P. (2018) Perennial flow through convergent hillslopes explains chemodynamic solute behavior in a shale headwater catchment. Chem. Geol. 493:413-425. doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2018.06.019
Jin, L., Ma L., Dere A., White T., Mathur R. and Brantley S. (2017) REE mobility and fractionation during shale weathering along a climate gradient. Chem. Geol. 466:352-379. doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2017.06.024
White, T., Wymore A., Dere A., Hoffman A., Washburne J., and Conklin M. (2017) Integrated interdisciplinary science of the Critical Zone as a foundational curriculum for addressing issues of sustainability. J. Geosci. Edu. 65:136-145. doi:10.5408/16-171.1
Nath, S. H. and Dere A. L. (2016) Soil Geochemical Parameters influencing the Spatial Distribution of Anthrax in Northwest Minnesota, USA. Applied Geochem. 74:144-156. doi:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2016.09.004
Dere, A. L., White T. S., April R. H., and Brantley S. L. (2016) Mineralogical transformations and soil development in shale across a latitudinal climosequence. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. J. 80:623-636. doi:10.2136/sssaj2015.05.0202
Brantley, S. L., DiBiase R. A., Russo T. A., Shi Y., Lin H., Davis K. J., Kaye M., Hill L., Kaye J., Eissenstat D. M., Hoagland B., Dere A. L., Neal A. L., Brubaker K. M and Arthur D. K. (2016) Designing a suite of measurements to understand the critical zone. Earth Surf. Dynam. 4:211-235. doi:10.5194/esurf-4-211-2016
Blackburn H. and Dere A. (2016) Changing the scholarly sources landscape with geomorphology undergraduate students. Issues in Sci. Tech. Librarianship. doi:10.5062/F4K35RNX
Languages
English, French
Additional Information
Biography
Originally from San Diego, California, I moved to central California to complete my B.S. degree in Earth Sciences at the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. My studies there included minors in Geology, Soil Science, Sustainable Environments and French and I also competed for the NCAA Div. I cross-country and track (3000m steeplechase) teams. Following graduation, I spent a year abroad studying French at the Universite d'Aix-Marseille in Aix-en-Provence, France. Upon returning to the U.S., I completed my M.S. degree in Soil Science and then Ph.D. in Geosciences, both at Penn State University. Currently, I am an Assistant Professor of Geology in the Geography/Geology Department at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Teaching Interests
As a teacher, I strive to educate students as citizens that can make conscientious decisions about science and the environment. I aim to provide students with tools to further their careers in any field while gaining an appreciation for science and how it influences our daily lives. Active learning activities in the classroom as well as field and research experiences are integral to accomplishing these goals.
I currently teach GEOL 1170, an introductory level Physical Geology course, GEOL 4260, an upper level Process Geomorphology course, GEOG 4330, an upper level Soil Genesis course, and GEOL 2500, a Special Topics course involving a week-long field experience.
Research Interests
My research interests are focused on understanding fundamental controls on soil formation (both through chemical and physical processes) and how humans impact soils. I am especially interested in interactions occurring within the Critical Zone, which extends from the tree canopy to aquifers beneath the Earth's surface. The Critical Zone supports most terrestrial life on Earth and soils are a central constituent of this zone, serving as an interface for gas and water exchange and playing a major role in nutrient cycling that supports both ecosystems and humans. A more quantitative understanding of how rock weathers to form soil is necessary to make predictions about the future availability of soil to provide food for Earth's expanding population. I am specifically interested in investigating the balance between soil production and erosion, how soil forming factors control soil production rates, the impact of land use change on soils, the role of amendments in restoring degraded soil and how we can better measure and sample soils to answer these questions. Ultimately, the goal of my research is to help predict how soils and landscapes will change in the future and how we can better manage our soil resources.Service Summary
My main service interests are in STEM education and outreach, especially relating to Earth sciences. I believe that engaging students of all ages in an understanding of Earth processes and the relevance of science to their lives is important to developing critically thinking citizens and future stewards of the Earth. As part of my Ph.D. program, I taught and designed science curriculum for a 4th grade classroom through the NSF funded GK-12 CarbonEARTH program. The experience enabled me to practice communicating science to a variety of audiences as well as highlighting the importance of providing engaging educational opportunities, especially in Earth Sciences, that students might not otherwise receive. My goal is to continue working with K-12 teachers to provide science content and activities and engage with students to communicate the importance and excitement of science.Education
BS, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, Earth Sciences, Sustainable Environments, 2005
Other, Université Paul Cézanne Aix-Marseille III, Aix-en-Provence, France, French, 2006
MS, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, Soil Science, Biogeochemistry, 2009
PhD, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, Geosciences, Geochemistry, 2014
Additional Information
Current Research Projects
Land use impacts on Critical Zone Processes in the Midwest
- Glacier Creek Preserve, Bennington, Nebraska
- Clear Creek, Iowa City, Iowa
Lithologic and topographic controls on weathering and soil formation
- Juneau, Alaska
- Calvert Island, British Columbia
Climate controls on weathering and soil formation
- Wales, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Puerto Rico
- Brisbane, Australia
Recent Publications
Dere, A., Miller A., Hemje A., Parcher S., Capalli C., and Bettis A. III. (2019) Solute fluxes through restored prairie and intensively managed critical zones in Nebraska and Iowa. Front. Earth Sci: Biogeosci. 7:24. doi: 10.3389/feart.2019.00024
Wilson, C., Keefer L., Abban B., Wacha K., Dermisis D., Giannopoulos C., Zhou S., Goodwell A., Woo D., Yan Q., Ghadiri M., Stumpf A., Pitcel M., Lin Y., Marini L., Storsved B., Goff K., Vogelgesang J., Dere A., Schilling K., Muste M., Blair N., Rhoads B., Bettis E., Pai H., Kratt C., Sladek C., Wing M., Selker J., Tyler S., Lin H., Kumar P., and Papanicolaou A. (2018) The Intensively Managed Landscape Critical Zone Observatory: A scientific testbed for agroecosystem functions and services. Vadose Zone J. 17:180088. doi:10.2136/vzj2018.04.0088
Dere, A., Engelmann C., White, T., Wymore A., Hoffman A., Washburne J., and Conklin M. (2019) Implementing and assessing InTeGrate Critical Zone Science materials in an undergraduate geoscience program. In: Gosselin, D., Egger A. and Taber J. (eds.) Interdisciplinary Teaching about Earth and the Environment for a Sustainable Future. AESS Interdisciplinary Environmental Studies and Sciences Series. Springer, New York. pp. 123-144. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-03273-9_6
Li, L., Dibiase R., Del Vecchio J., Marcon V., Hoagland B., Xiao D., Wayman C., Tang Q., He Y., Silverhart P., Forsythe B., Williams J., Shapich D., Mount G., Kaye J., Guo Li, Lin H., Dere A., Brubaker K., Kaye M., Davis K., and Brantley S. (2018) The effect of lithology and agriculture at the Susquehanna Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory. Vadose Zone J. 17:180063. doi:10.2136/vzj2018.03.0063
Herndon, E., Steinhoefel G., Dere A. and Sullivan P. (2018) Perennial flow through convergent hillslopes explains chemodynamic solute behavior in a shale headwater catchment. Chem. Geol. 493:413-425. doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2018.06.019
Jin, L., Ma L., Dere A., White T., Mathur R. and Brantley S. (2017) REE mobility and fractionation during shale weathering along a climate gradient. Chem. Geol. 466:352-379. doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2017.06.024
White, T., Wymore A., Dere A., Hoffman A., Washburne J., and Conklin M. (2017) Integrated interdisciplinary science of the Critical Zone as a foundational curriculum for addressing issues of sustainability. J. Geosci. Edu. 65:136-145. doi:10.5408/16-171.1
Nath, S. H. and Dere A. L. (2016) Soil Geochemical Parameters influencing the Spatial Distribution of Anthrax in Northwest Minnesota, USA. Applied Geochem. 74:144-156. doi:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2016.09.004
Dere, A. L., White T. S., April R. H., and Brantley S. L. (2016) Mineralogical transformations and soil development in shale across a latitudinal climosequence. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. J. 80:623-636. doi:10.2136/sssaj2015.05.0202
Brantley, S. L., DiBiase R. A., Russo T. A., Shi Y., Lin H., Davis K. J., Kaye M., Hill L., Kaye J., Eissenstat D. M., Hoagland B., Dere A. L., Neal A. L., Brubaker K. M and Arthur D. K. (2016) Designing a suite of measurements to understand the critical zone. Earth Surf. Dynam. 4:211-235. doi:10.5194/esurf-4-211-2016
Blackburn H. and Dere A. (2016) Changing the scholarly sources landscape with geomorphology undergraduate students. Issues in Sci. Tech. Librarianship. doi:10.5062/F4K35RNX
Languages
English, French