Benjamin Harrison, Ph.D.

Ben’s primary project work with DEAP connects environmental data, big data, and policy. Ben studied microbes in human-impacted lakes as a postdoctoral researcher, earned a Ph.D. in geochemistry/geomicrobiology from Caltech studying the ways microbes eke out a living on mineral surfaces, and a BA in geology and computer science from Carleton College. When not re-writing the book on the intersection between scientific data gathering and equity at DEAP, Ben supports the Seattle Sounders and turns his data skills to inventing the next generation of soccer analytics.

Fun fact: Soccer positions are underappreciated analogues for microbial ecological roles. And vice versa.

Megan Rohrssen, Ph.D.

Megan’s role at DEAP focuses on environmental data in education. Megan cut her education chops as a faculty member at Central Michigan University, after conducting molecular and iosotopic organic geochemistry investigations of biogeochemical feedbacks on climate change as a postdoctoral scientist. She earned a doctoral degree in molecular organic geochemistry at the University of California, Riverside, and a geology BA at Carleton College. She has also spent time as a researcher and undergraduate intern at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA, and University of Minnesota, and at the Alaska Raptor Center talking with people about bald eagles. In her free time, Megan enjoys spending time with her family and taking full advantage of the feedbacks between eating baked goods and all kinds of outdoor exercise.

Fun fact: Turns out your mom won’t be happy with your nine year-old self if you forget to take the rocks out of your pockets before she does laundry…