For more than 10 years, I have been a member of the Badlands Working Group (BWG), a research collaborative of students, earth system scientists, and artists that focuses on geological processes and climate change on the Great Plains of North America. Inspired by the 19th century Hayden and Powell expeditions to the American West, the BWG integrates artistic perspectives with hypothesis-driven science to analyze geological and ecological development of the landscape.  We prioritize student engagement, the expansion of the scientific community through mentorship and inclusivity, and the acquisition of high-quality data in the laboratory and the field.  In addition, I have been active for more than 25 years with the national Geological Society of America, serving as chair of the Geoscience Education Division and chair of the Technical Program for the national meeting of more than 5000 geologists.  My most recent work has been published in Aeolian Research, the international journal of the study of wind erosion.  My other areas of interest include the search for novel antibiotics in Everglades soils and the evaluation of contaminants in nearshore marine environments in Florida.