Geology Professor

Karen McNeal

My research as a biogeochemist includes both laboratory and field projects that employ a range of analytical chemical techniques including gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, electrochemistry, microbiology, and in-situ measurements to study microbial processes in natural systems. Specifically, I investigate complex surficial earth systems such as soils and sediments, the biotic and abiotic controls on these systems, and the associated anthropogenic influences. My work includes emphasis on the C,N, S, and Fe cycles and the coupled redox processes in sediments overlain by hypoxic (low oxygen) waters. I also study the production of biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in soils, where I am currently working on the effect of environmental factor perturbation on microbial VOC metabolite production and community composition shift in a variety of landscapes.

My research in geoscience education explores questions concerning the human understanding of complex earth systems. I study the impact of using various pedagogical methods including inquiry-, technology-, data-, and game-based activities on students’ conceptual model development and understanding of these systems.  I am also interested in studying how field experiences influence teachers' conceptual understanding of geoscience-related topics.

I am originally from Chicago, IL and outside of my research and teaching, I enjoy spending time with my husband and cat, hiking, fishing, exercising, scuba diving, and most other outdoor activities. 

Education

Ph.D. (Geology), Texas A&M University, 2007
M.S. (Oceanography), Texas A&M University, 2003
B.S. (Marine Science), Eckerd College, 2000

Experience

Assistant Professor of Geology, Mississippi State University, 2007–Present
Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, Summer 2007

Graduate Fellow, NSF Graduate K-12 Program, Texas A&M University, 2006-2007

Graduate Assistant, NSF ITS Center for Teaching and Learning, Texas A&M University, 2003-2006

Research Assistant, Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, 2002-2003

Scherck Fellow, Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, 2000-2002

Laboratory Teaching Assistant, Chemical and Physical Oceanography, Eckerd College, 1999-2000

Undergraduate NSF REU Student, Eckerd College/University of South Florida, Summer 1999

Laboratory Teaching Assistant, General Chemistry I and II, Eckerd College, 1998-1999

Geochemistry Research Intern, United States Geological Survey (USGS), St. Petersburg, FL, Summer 1998

Publications

Refereed:
 

McNeal K.S. and Herbert B.E.  2007. Volatile organic metabolites as indicators of microbial community composition shifts.  Soil Science Society of America Journal: in review.

McNeal K.S., Miller H.R., and Herbert B.E. 2007.  Developing non-science majors’ conceptual models of complex Earth systems in a physical geology course. Journal of Geoscience Education: in review.

McCarthy M.J., McNeal K.S., Gardner W.S., Morse J.W. 2007. Bottom-water hypoxia effects on sediment-water interface nitrogen transformations in a seasonally hypoxic, shallow bay (Corpus Christi Bay, Texas, USA).  Estuaries and Coasts: in review.

Sell K.S., Herbert B.E., Stuessy C., and Schielack J. 2006. Supporting student conceptual model development of complex earth systems through the use of multiple representations and inquiry.  Journal of Geoscience Education 54: 396-407. [Abstract]

Sell K.S. and Morse J.W.  2006. Influences of seasonal hypoxia on iron and sulfur biogeochemistry in coastal sediments. Aquatic Geochemistry. 12: 179-198. [Abstract]

Gardner W.S., McCarthy M.J., Sobolev D., Soonmo A., Sell K.S. and Brock D.  2005.  Nitrogen fixation and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) support nitrogen dynamics in Texas estuaries. Limnology and Oceanography. 51: 558-568. [Abstract]

Morse J.W., DiMarco S.F., Hebert A.B., Sell K.S. 2003.  A scaling approach to spatial variability in early diagenetic processes.  Hydrobiologia. 494: 25-29. [Abstract]

Morse J.W., DiMarco S.F., Sell K.S. and Herbert A.B. 2003.  Determination of the optimum sampling intervals in sediment pore waters using the autocovariance function.  Aquatic Geochemistry. 9: 41-57. [Abstract]

Morse J.W., Gledhill D.K., Sell K.S., and Arvidson R.S. 2002. Pyritization of iron in sediments from the continental slope of the northern Gulf of Mexico.  Aquatic Geochemistry. 8: 3-13. [Abstract]

Byrne R.H., Xuewu L., Kaltenbacher E.A., Sell K.S., 2002. Spectrophotometric measurement of total inorganic carbon in aqueous solutions using liquid core waveguide.  Analytica Chimica Acta. 451: 221-229. [Abstract]

Hopkins A.E., Sell K.S., Soli A.L., and Byrne R.H. 2000.  In-situ spectrophotometric pH measurements: the effect of pressure on thymol blue protonation and absorbance characteristics.  Marine Chemistry. 71: 103-109. [Abstract]

Other:

McNeal K.S. 2007.  Understanding complex earth systems: volatile metabolites as microbial ecosystem proxies and student conceptual model development of coastal eutrophication. Doctoral Dissertation, Texas A&M University. pp. 1-172.  

Sell K.S. 2003. Temporal influences of seasonal hypoxia on sediment biogeochemistry in coastal waters. Masters Thesis, Texas A&M University. pp. 1-142.

Sell K.S. 2000. In-situ spectrophotometric pH measurements: the use of thymol blue indicator in both high pressure and long pathlength cells to determine the CO2 parameters of seawater. Undergraduate Thesis, Eckerd College. pp. 1-50.

Professional Memberships

Soil Science Society of America

National Association of Geoscience Teachers

American Society of Limnology & Oceanography

American Geophysical Union

Geologic Society of America