Amy Elizabeth Johnston, PhD

10 Curtis St. Unit 5 Quincy MA 02169 207-557-0962 ajohnston3@framingham.edu

EDUCATION

University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston Massachusetts Fall 2014-May 2020

PhD in Environmental Science- Research: Paleoclimate reconstruction using archaeological shell geochemistry-
specifically stable isotope composition and trace elemental composition.

University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston Massachusetts Fall 2014-May 2018

Masters in Environmental Science- Paleoclimate reconstruction of the Gulf of Maine during the recent Holocene (past
5000 years) using archaeological mollusk shells (MS along the way to PhD)
Coursework: Coasts and Communities, GIS, Research Ethics, Seminar in Environmental Science, Seminar in
Geochemistry, Environmental Archaeology, Independent Study in Geochemistry Research, Global Warming and
International Business Management, Seminar in Ocean Acidification, Chemistry of Natural Waters, Introduction to
Statistics

University of Maine, Orono- Orono, Maine Fall 2013

Additional coursework- Maine and the Sea (Online course)

Bates College – Lewiston, Maine 2008-2012

Bachelor of Science- Major: Biology, Minor: Anthropology, Concentration: Field Studies, Natural Sciences
Coursework: Organismal Biology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Marine Ecology, Marine
Invertebrates, Anthropology, Human Evolution, Archaeology, Marine Physiological Ecology, Field Geology, GIS,
General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, Calculus, Music Theory, Economics

Year Long Senior Biology Thesis- Growth Rate and Shell Analysis of Patella vulgata (the common limpet) from
Sandwick South, Unst, Shetland Islands, UK. (Advisor: Dr. William Ambrose)

Waterville Senior High School, Waterville, ME 2004-2008

TEACHING EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

Framingham State University, Framingham Massachusetts Sept 2019-Present

Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences- Department of Physics and Earth Sciences
Courses taught: Conversations with the Earth (Introduction to Earth Science), Introduction to Meteorology,
Environmental Geology, Independent Study in Environmental Science
Advisor to Earth Science majors
Director of Student-Faculty Collaborative Research: Sclerochronology Lab, established Fall 2020

Teaching Online Workshop- hosted by the Education Technology Office, Framingham State University June 2020
Month long online teaching course for faculty hosted by the ETO office
Online learning as a student while exploring how to teach online
Weekly assignments, discussions, and quizzes to help master concepts and create practical elements for our own courses

University of Massachusetts, Boston Massachusetts

School for the Environment Graduate Student Mentor- Undergraduate Capstone Projects Sept 2016-May 2019
Advised undergraduate students in the School for the Environment on individual research projects for capstone credits
Designed research projects for senior capstone students
Provided training on laboratory safety and necessary materials and protocols
Supervised and mentored students on various research projects

SFE Graduate Student Mentor- Cambridge Rindge and Latin Marine Science Internship Jan 2018-June 2018
Advised a high school intern from the Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School Marine Science Internship program
Provided training on laboratory safety and necessary materials and protocols
Supervised and mentored the student on a research project
Participated on a panel for the student’s culminating presentations
SFE Teaching Assistant- Introduction to Geographic Information System Laboratory Jan 2018-May 2018
Teaching assistant in ENVSCI 281 (Intro to GIS) Laboratory section for both undergraduate and graduate students
Assisted and oversaw laboratory assignments on different topics in GIS
Guided final project planning and implementation

SFE Teaching Assistant- Introduction to Environmental, Earth, and Ocean Sciences Laboratory Sept 2014-Dec 2017
Lead teacher in ENVSCI 121 (Intro to Environmental, Earth, and Ocean Sciences) Laboratory course
Secondary teaching assistant in a second laboratory section
Lead laboratory lectures and oversaw assignments on different topics in Environmental Science
Held office hours for students and graded lab reports
Assisted with laboratory preparations, experiments/projects, set up, and clean up

Bates College, Lewiston, Maine

Bates College Teaching Assistant for Oceanography Course Jan 2012 – April 2012
Provided assistance to the professor in Biology 112 (Oceanography)
Assisted professor with course material preparation, set up, and grading
Assisted with laboratory preparation, set up, and clean up

Bates College Teaching Assistant for Marine Invertebrates Course Sept 2011 – Dec 2011
Provided assistance to the professor in Biology 211 (Marine Invertebrates)
Assisted professor with course material preparation and set up
Assisted with laboratory preparation, set up, and clean up

RESEARCH AND FIELDWORK EXPERIENCE

University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston Massachusetts September 2014- May 2020

School for the Environment- Research Assistant
Research focus on paleoclimate reconstruction using archaeological shell chemistry- specifically stable isotope
composition and trace elemental composition to reconstruct environmental conditions of past coastal waters in the Gulf
of Maine at the Turner Farm Site in North Haven, Maine and in Nantucket Island, Massachusetts

Environmental Analytical Facility (EAF)- Lab Manager/Lead Technician September 2015- August 2019
Responsible for fulfilling contracted scientific work
Training and hosting outside contract users
Assist with sample preparation, sample analysis, and data interpretation
Running samples on the Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (LA-ICP-MS)
Running samples on the Gas Bench Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (GB-IRMS)
Performing weekly maintenance on the ICP-MS
Managing and mentoring all EAF undergraduate workers and research projects
Other responsibilities include: assisting graduate students on general lab practices, maintaining a clean and safe work
environment, ordering supplies, maintaining EAF calendar and instrument schedules

Bates College, Lewiston, Maine

Department of Biology, Student Researcher-Year Long Senior Thesis May 2011-May 2012
Contributed to the Shetland Islands Climate and Settlement Project
Research: Growth rate and shell analysis of limpet shells from an archaeological midden and modern day
Field activities: limpet collecting, tagging, sand and gravel collecting, clamming, measuring wave exposure
Lab activities: embedding, polishing, imaging, drilling, and measuring of shells, sorting and documentation of artifacts
Analysis: Comparison of shell growth rate and oxygen isotope information across time periods

Department of Biology, Student Researcher- Marine Ecology Seminar September-December 2010

Contributed to the Turner Farm Archaeological Dig
Research: Growth rate and shell analysis of mollusc shells from an archaeological midden and modern day
Lab activities: embedding, polishing, imaging, drilling, and measuring of shells

Department of Anthropology, Field Archaeology Class May 2009

Contributed to a dig at an archaeological site along the Androscoggin River in Topsham, ME
Learned archaeological fieldwork skills
Field activities: topsoil removal, digging of site with various tools, sieving, recording and documentation of artifacts
 STUDENTS MENTORED

Name: Affiliation: Tenure: Project:

Jennifer Melara Framingham State University Fall 2020-Present Growth Rate Analysis of Clam Species

Job Shadow/Internship in Marine

Ruben Hernandez Fenway High School Spring 2019 Science
Magellan Tatum UMB Undergraduate Winter 2018 – Spring 2019 Paleothermometry Development

Arianna OrtixDixon UMB Undergraduate Spring 2018 – Winter 2019 Archaeological Shell Analysis

Cambridge Rindge, and Latin Growth Rate Analysis of Fossil Venus

Nihal Dhillon Winter 2018–Spring 2018 Clams
High School
Nadhirah Johanif UMB Undergraduate Fall 2016- Spring 2018 Growth Rate Analysis of Clam Species

Trace Elemental Analysis of Eastern

Brenda Gray UMB Undergraduate Fall 2016- Winter 2018 Oyster

AWARDS/GRANTS

Framingham State University CELTSS Research Stipend Grant ($2,000) Fall 2020-Spring 2021
Framingham State University Foundation, Inc. Mini-Grant ($2,600) June 2020
University of Massachusetts School for the Environment Mentoring Award May 2020
University of Massachusetts Beacon Graduate Student Leadership Award Nomination May 2018
Experiment.com Research Project Crowdfunding Grant ($1,900) July, 2015-July 2016
Friends of Nantucket Field Station Grant ($500) March, 2015-March 2016
Women in Science Book Award- University of Massachusetts Boston ($200) September, 2014

UNIVERSITY/COLLEG/DEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEES

Framingham State University

Foundations Steering Committee September 2020-Present
RAMS 101 Steering Committee September 2020-Present
Beacon Award Selection Committee September 2020-Present
Academic Advising Advisory Group September 2019-Present

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

A Day in May, CELTSS Research Program at Framingham State University May 18, 2021
Environmental Research Symposium at the University of Massachusetts Boston May 16, 2019
Goldschmidt 2018 International Conference in Geochemistry, Boston, Massachusetts Aug 12-17, 2018
Environmental Research Symposium at the University of Massachusetts Boston April 18, 2018
Environmental Research Symposium at the University of Massachusetts Boston April 19, 2017
Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Denver Colorado Sept 25-28, 2016
Goldschmidt 2016 International Conference in Geochemistry, Yokahama, Japan June 27-July 1, 2016
Environmental Research Symposium at the University of Massachusetts Boston April 20, 2016
Goldschmidt 2015 International Conference in Geochemistry, Prague, CZ August 17-21, 2015
Environmental Research Symposium at the University of Massachusetts Boston May 13, 2015
New England Estuarine Research Conference, Plymouth, Massachusetts April 12-14,2012
Bates College Mount David Summit, Lewiston, Maine April 2012

PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

Holmberg RJ, Wilcox-Freeburg E, Rhyne AL, Tlusty MF, Stebbins A, Nye Jr. SW, Honig A, Jan 2019
Johnston AE, San Antonio CM, Bourque B, Hannigan RE. 2019. Ocean acidification alters
morphology of all otolith types in Clark’s anemonefish (Amphiprion clarkia) PeerJ
 PUBLICATIONS IN PREPARATION

Johnston AE, Christian A, Bourque B, Hannigan RE. (In Preparation). Reconstruction of the recent Holocene
paleoenvironment using geochemical proxies, Turner Farm, Maine.

OTHER PRODUCTS

Johnston, Amy Elizabeth, "Paleoclimate Reconstruction of the Gulf of Maine During the Recent Holocene (Past 5000
Years) Using Archaeological Mollusk Shells" (2020). Graduate Doctoral Dissertations. 563.
https://scholarworks.umb.edu/doctoral_dissertations/563

OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE

Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine September 2012-May 2014

Assistant Swimming and Diving Coach
Coached a varsity level college men’s and women’s swim team
Assistant to the head coach, helped with a variety of planning, organizing, and general secretarial duties
Responsible for organizing the Bowdoin College swim lesson program for local school children to learn swimming
skills at the Bowdoin pool each fall and spring, taught by college swim team members
Head coach of the Bowdoin Polar Bear Swim Clinic - an age group club team for children ages 7 to 13 to help prepare
them for a full time club swim team.
Assisted with the recruitment and organization of recruit visits for potential college swimmers
Helped run college, high school, and age group swim and dive meets at the Bowdoin College Greason Pool
Planned and hosted the New England Small College Athletic Conference Championship Meets in 2013 and 2014
Managed team statistics, records, and meet results

Camp Bishopswood, Hope, Maine Summer 2014

Program Director
Responsible for Planning and organizing all activities at an Episcopal affiliated overnight summer camp
Director of the Counselor-in-Training program and oversaw 12 juniors in high school throughout the program
Led a diverse array of experiences for both the entire camp and small groups of campers
Trained and supervised cabin counselors and activity leaders to promote fun and safety of children
Collaborated with Camp Director in planning weekly activities and events
Maintained constant communication with the 45 staff members to ensure consistency
Head lifeguard trainer for potential lifeguards - American Red Cross certified LGI

Aquatics/Waterfront Director Summer 2011-Summer 2013

Responsible for planning and organizing swimming lessons and boating activities at an overnight summer camp
Training and in-service of lifeguards and swim instructors
Head lifeguard trainer for potential lifeguards – American Red Cross certified LGI
Red Cross lifeguard and a professional rescuer with CPR, first aid, waterfront lifeguarding and emergency oxygen
Water Safety Instructor certification

Cabin Counselor and Lifeguard Summer 2007 - Summer 2010

Served as cabin counselor and activity leader for campers ages 8 to 15 at an overnight summer camp
Taught swimming lessons and lifeguarded on a lake

Bates College, Lewiston, Maine

Ladd Library Assistant September 2008 – May 2011
Assisted with a variety of library tasks including shelving texts, inventory, and general secretarial duties

Augusta YMCA, August, Maine

Lifeguard and Swim Lesson Instructor September 2007-June 2008
Performed lifeguard duties and taught lessons at an indoor pool equipped with lap pool and shallow warm-water pool
Certified as a professional rescuer with CPR, first aid, and Water Safety Instructor certification
 FIELD, COMPUTER, AND TECHNICAL SKILLS

Proficient in ArcGIS, SPSS Statistics, SigmaPlot, and Microsoft Office Suite

Archaeological and Marine Ecology Field Skills
Analytical chemistry and geology lab skills
Trained to use Modular Focus, SMZ1500 Stereoscope, Leica, and FT-IR Microscopes
Trained to use and maintain a laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (LA-ICP-MS)
Trained to use and maintain a gas bench isotope ratio mass spectrometer (GB-IRMS)
Trained to use and maintain a Digital Aquatics Reefkeeper Elite aquarium hobbyist system

MEMBERSHIP and CERTIFICATIONS

Geological Society of America member August 2016-Present

Geochemical Society member March 2015-Present
School for the Environment Association of Students - President September 2016-August 2019
Associate fellow in Coasts and Communities IGERT, NSF program at UMass Boson September 2014-August 2016
Sigma Xi member May 2012-August 2016
Sigma Gamma Epsilon member September 2014-May 2016

ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS

Avid swimmer (Four years of varsity swimming at Bates College and now a US Masters swimmer)
Enjoy fitness, traveling, camping, hiking, photography, and cooking