Grace A. Conyers

E-mail: gconyers@insanitek.net

I am very interested in how soils are used in archaeology, what information can be gleaned from soils, and soil dynamics. I wish to expand upon my current skills, methodologies and techniques in this area of research.

2007 B.S. in Anthropology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN. James G. Ogg, Advisor. Senior Thesis: Human Time Scale Development

2003 - present Research Assistant, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States

• I collect and compile data for the Geological Time Scale (James Ogg, et al.) and Human Time Scale.

• The tasks also include making posters and diagrams, as well as give public presentations on the Time Scale.

• In the last year, I coordinated work with people in lab to make sure all work was getting done.

• I gained experience in troubleshooting complex databases.

2006 - present Research Technician, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States

• I run a method that separates, grinds, and weighs soils in preparation for carbon and nitrogen analysis in an isotope mass spectrometer (IRMS).

• I prepare soils for analysis of particulate organic matter and soil organic matter.

• I learnt how to separate soils into micro and macro aggregates, flush CO₂ out of samples in preparation for analysing CO₂ in microbial samples.

• My tasks also include loading and running an Elemental Analyzer, loading and running an IRMS, making calibration curves, and compiling data for analysis.

• I developed a general problem solving technique for fixing some minor mechanical problems with the vacuum aspiration set -up and equipment.

2008 English Teacher, Hebei College of Finance, BaoDing, Hebei Province, China

• I prepared lessons and taught business and financial English to freshmen, sophomores and teachers with lectures and large group activities.

• I participated in English Corner, and engaged in cultural exchange and cooperative research with students and teachers.

• I also co-founded the English club.

2005 to 2006 Research Technician, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States

• I collected data using chemical procedures for the purpose of testing life support systems for NASA.

• My tasks also included taking weights and measurements of the samples, keeping a chart of the changing pH and enzymes of the fluids in the experiment, and preparing all data for analysis.

• I learnt to use basic chemistry equipment and safety measures.

• I became familiar with compiling and organising a large quantity of data in Excel.

• I developed excellent basic computer skills with Windows, Macintosh, Linux (SuSE and Ubuntu distrobutions), Open Office, Star Office, Microsoft Office, and some HTML

Guest Lecturer. Trade Routes in and Around Asia. Hebei College of Finance, BaoDing, Hebei Province, China. 23.April. 2008.

Crow, S.E., T.R. Filley, G. Conyers, D. Stott, M. McCormick, D. Whigham, D.L. Taylor. Potential rapid effects on soil organic matter characteristics and chemistry following a change in dominant litter inputs. American Geophysical Union, Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, 2006.

Crow, S. E., Filley, T. R., McCormick, M., Szlavecz, K., Stott, D. E., Gamblin, D., Conyers, G. Invasive earthworms and forest successional stage interact to impact plant litter inputs and particulate organic matter chemistry. Biogeochemistry, 92:61-82 DOI 10.1007/s10533-008-9260-1, 2009

2007 - present American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

2007 - present Geological Society of America (GSA)

2006 - present Pugwash, active member

2009 2^nd place in the Innovative technology/Entrepreneurship & Design Award Al. Huang,G. Conyers, J. Ogg. "Viewing Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Life Histories in Time Scale Creator". Undergraduate Poster Symposium. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

2008 Certificate of Working Award, G. Conyers. Hebei College of Finance, Baoding, China

2006 Dean’s Choice Award, G. Conyers, J. Ogg. Human Time Scale. Undergraduate Poster Symposium. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

2004 - 2009 Purdue University Earth & Atmospheric Outreach Program volunteer