Lena’s work bridges Earth Science and art fields to address pressing environmental concerns. Her research examines local anthropogenic impacts on coastal ecosystems and how these intersect with global climate change. At the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, her dissertation examined coastal water quality over hundreds of years using the biogeochemistry of sediment cores and historical shells. She is interested in using artwork and visual displays to disseminate her science research. Lena has worked on several projects that combine art and science including co-authoring and illustrating children’s books. During her postdoc, her interdisciplinary research will investigate the spatial and temporal patterns of carbon sequestration in salt marshes and apply art in science communication about urban marshes.

Lena uses artistic science education through her love of outreach, teaching, and mentorship. In graduate school, she mentored interns through the Women in Natural Sciences (WINS) program, which provides mentorship for female students attending Philadelphia public high schools. She plans to continue mentorship with Upward Bound and GROW programs at BU. She also designed and led outreach activities at the Academy of Natural Sciences museum events. Her goal of bringing art into science communication is to increase the accessibility of environmental science, with a specific focus on DEI and justice in addressing environmental crises.