Bio
Kayla Tozier is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Columbia University studying coral paleoclimatology with Dr. Braddock Linsley. Her research focuses on reconstructing climate variability over multidecadal to centennial timescales in the subtropical South Pacific using cores from one of the oldest and largest known living corals in the world. She is particularly interested in past climate variability and coral resilience in regions most vulnerable to future climate change.
In 2024, Kayla earned her M.S. in Oceanography from the University of New Hampshire, where she studied glacial meltwater pulses and the delivery of recycled Cretaceous diatoms in the Gulf of Mexico over the last several glacial-interglacial cycles. While at UNH, she was actively involved in outreach efforts, including leading marine science programs in local libraries, hosting estuary cruises for middle school students, serving as a pen pal for Letters to a Pre-Scientist, and participating in sea turtle and wildlife rescue initiatives.
Outside of research, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, especially near water, skiing, seeing live jazz around the city, and spending time with her two cats.
Advisor: Dr. Braddock Linsley, Lamont Stable Isotope and Trace Metal Laboratory