Chris Vanags
Director of Research Initiatives, Peabody College of Education, Vanderbilt University
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Vanderbilt University
In his role as an earth scientist, Dr. Vanags studies how pedological and biological processes affect the infiltration and translational movement of water and solutes in vadose zone. His current field sites are in wetlands scattered across Nashville where he is looking at how soil physical and chemical properties change over the course of several years following the development of anthropogenic wetlands. As an educator, Dr. Vanags is interested in how direct interaction with scientists and the scientific process in primary and secondary education can affect choice of college and career pathways. Dr. Vanags co-teaches the Maymester field course: Geology, Hydrology and Natural Resources of Tennessee.