Aria Duncan

Graduate Student Research Funding | 2021 - 2022 Academic Year

Protecting Rice from Coupled Climate and Arsenic Threats

Rice is a crucial staple food globally. Unfortunately, arsenic is widespread in rice producing regions, and climate change coupled with soil arsenic contamination will have multiplicative negative effects on rice—decreasing yields and threatening food safety. Periodically draining rice paddies can simultaneously reduce water use, methane emissions, and arsenic in grain, without compromising yields by shifting the microbial activity and geochemistry of the soil. The goal of Duncan's research is to develop management strategies (e.g., drainage schedules and drying severities) under future climate conditions for sustained, safe rice production that minimizes greenhouse gas emissions.

Aria Duncan, Department of Earth System Science

Aria Duncan is a PhD candidate in Earth System Science. Duncan's current research is focused on managing irrigation water to protect rice production from the coupled threats of climate change and widespread soil contamination. She is testing mid-season drainage under different climate conditions to determine effective strategies to protect rice. Duncan studied physics and fine arts at Westmont College and spent a year conducting water management research in the Netherlands as a Fulbright Fellow. She is an active mentor and passionate about environmental justice and improving geoscience education. Her hobbies include painting, backpacking, climbing, and cooking.

Return to previous recipients of graduate student research funding