Josh Heyer

I am a second year Master’s student in the Geography department working with Dr. Simon Brewer and Dr. Andrea Brunelle. My research focuses on paleoecology, and Pacific sea-surface temperature and western North America hydroclimate teleconnections. I received a dual B.S. in Geography and Environment and Natural Resources, and a B.A. in Spanish from the University of Wyoming in the spring of 2014. Growing up in Colorado, I experienced extreme climate, weather, and disturbance events including drought, forest fires, tornadoes, massive hail, blizzards, and flooding. Living through these events is what sparked my interest in studying climate and physical Geography. Recently in the spring of 2014, I was awarded an NSF GRF to research western North America hydroclimate. Working with Dr. Simon Brewer, my research investigates how Pacific sea-surface temperature and North America hydroclimate teleconnections vary spatially and temporally, in complex watersheds located in the Intermountain West. To accomplish this, I use the North America Regional Reanalysis data. In addition to this research, I am working with Dr. Andrea Brunelle, reconstructing the vegetation and fire history of a site in Río Mesa, Utah. The Río Mesa site is an oxbow lake located near the Dolores River. If you have any additional questions regarding my research feel free to send me an email.