Lauren Barrett

Associate Research Scientist

Professional experience

Lauren is a marine biogeochemist with interest in the relationship between humans and marine environments. An alumna of the graduate program in the UConn Department of Marine Sciences, Lauren received her Ph.D. in 2024, studying the direct and indirect impacts of human pollution on carbon dioxide chemistry in Long Island Sound and the Arctic Ocean. Lauren was a 2024 NOAA Knauss Fellow with the Democrats of the House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, where she helped members of Congress oversee NOAA’s implementation of Congressional directives and drafted legislation related to weather, climate, and oceans. Now Lauren has returned to southeastern Connecticut as an Associate Research Scientist for the Reserve, and she is excited to continue learning and collaborating in the LIS community as part of the CT-NERR!

Favorite memory of the Sound?

During my doctorate studies at UConn, I was fortunate to collaborate with many groups across Connecticut and New York with (varied) interests in and perspectives on studying and protecting Long Island Sound. During that time, I met people from Federal, State, and local governments, industry, non-profit organizations, community science organizations, academia, and more. I was (and continue to be) struck by the deep level of care that everyone has for our home on Long Island Sound – to this day I feel extremely lucky to work as part of such a community with a mission-driven focus.