Meet Sarah Das
Sarah Das
Assistant Scientist
Geology and Geophysics Department
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Interview with Dr. Sarah Das, glaciologist. Video (5:36, 21mb)
Role in the expedition?
I am one of the two Principal Investigators on this project to research the influence of surface melt on ice sheet flow in Greenland. I also coordinate the logistics in advance of our travel and in the field to make sure everything goes smoothly (and that we don’t run out of chocolate!)
Why I do what I do?
I’ve always been fascinated by the natural world, wondering why and how things work the way they do. I also like to travel and love doing things outdoors, even (or especially) in challenging environments (unless there are too many bugs.) And I am a compulsive list-maker, so that makes me a good expedition planner as well.
Where did I grow up?
I grew up in Pittsburgh and Philadephia, PA with my parents, my little brother, and a Labrador Retriever. Growing up, my family spent a lot of time doing things together outside: bicycling, hiking, camping, traveling… And we weren’t allowed to watch TV - which I am sure I resented at the time, but now I am glad.
What were my favorite and least favorite things about school?
I don’t remember much about elementary school except I sometimes got in trouble for acting out or not paying attention. In middle school, after flunking French, my mom made me spend part of the summer sitting inside conjugating verbs while my brother went to the beach. I quickly realized that was not how I wanted to spend my summer, so I think I got my act together after that. I really enjoyed high school, I had wonderful teachers, challenging classes and interesting classmates. My favorite classes were math, physics and English. By college I figured out I ought to be a geology major so I could end up with a job that combined all of my interests. So far it’s working out pretty well!
