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Cornell University

CHIRP Lab

Cornell Hydrology, Ice, and Radar Physics Lab

People

Riley Culberg
Riley is an Assistant Professor in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and a member of the Geological Sciences field in the geophysics, environmental geophysics, and geohydrology concentrations. He holds a Ph.D. (2022) and M.Sc. (2019) in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University and a B.Sc. (2012) in Computer Science and Geospatial Information Science from the United States Military Academy. His research is focused on studying the near-surface and englacial hydrology of ice sheets with radar geophysics to better understand the role that these systems play in ice sheet mass balance and stability in a warming world.

Postdoctoral Researchers

Ian
Ian is a NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellow specializing in firn hydrology. He received a Ph.D. (2024) in Hydrology from the University of Nevada Reno, a M.Sc. (2019) in Geology from the University of Wyoming, and a B.A. (2016) in Earth & Oceanographic Science and Government & Legal Studies from Bowdoin College. He researches water flow through firn across spatial scales, and he is currently working on understanding the impacts of brine firn aquifers on Antarctic ice shelf stability. When not working, Ian enjoys most things outside, including hiking, biking, and skiing, as well as spending hours in the kitchen cooking new meals.

Graduate Students

Ellen Mutter
Ellen is a Ph.D. student in the department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences who loves thinking about how radar can be used to understand englacial environments. Her prior research with the Center for Oldest Ice Exploration (COLDEX) investigated how geophysical data is applied to the deep ice core site selection process and worked to evaluate the capability of modern radar to capture stratigraphic disturbances deep in the ice column. Ellen has followed a non-traditional educational path and is passionate about supporting other non-traditional students. She holds a B.A. in Mathematics and Music from Amherst College and an A.S. from Rockland Community College.

Undergraduate Students

Jillian Steinmetz
Jillian is a senior in Physics with a concentration in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. She is exploring her research interests in the geophysics field and has worked on past projects surrounding the changing englacial and subglacial conditions of Greenland’s ice sheets. In the CHIRP lab she conducts research on supraglacial lakes. Outside the lab Jillian is on the Cornell Equestrian Team and enjoys spending time outdoors.
Gabrielle Dela Cruz
Gabrielle is a junior in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. A transfer student from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, she is exploring satellite remote sensing as one of her research interests. In the CHIRP lab, Gabrielle works on a mapping project, investigating the regional differences of Greenland’s surface hydrology during the melt season. Beyond her academics, she enjoys traveling, exploring coffee shops, and indulging in a good read.
Shane
Shane is a sophomore in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He is exploring his research interests in the field of remote sensing and has worked on past projects involving the detection of rockfall events in geologically active areas. In the CHIRP Lab, he conducts research on the identification of refrozen ice blobs in the firn of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Outside the lab, Shane is a member of the Cornell Astronomical Society and enjoys playing the piano.
Clara Nordahl
Clara is a sophomore from Sacramento, California studying Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. She is working with the CHIRP lab to identify brine layers in Antarctic ice shelves. Outside of the lab, Clara is involved in Cornell running club and enjoys exploring the gorges around Ithaca.