Environmental Internship Program - 2019 Booklet

Galen Cadley ’21
GEOSCIENCES
CLIMATE CHANGE AND
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
PROJECT TITLE
Sponge Reef Morphology
as a Driver of the
Cambrian Explosion
ORGANIZATION(S)
Maloof Group, Department
of Geosciences,
Princeton University
LOCATION(S)
Yukon Province, Canada;
Princeton, New Jersey
MENTOR(S)
Adam Maloof, Associate
Professor of Geosciences;
Bolton Howes, Ph.D.
candidate, Geosciences;
Ryan Manzuk, Ph.D.
candidate, Geosciences
I conducted fieldwork to locate Archaeocyathid
sponges within early Cambrian rock in order
to understand the role of early reef structure
in creating the biodiversity we see in the
fossil record after the Cambrian explosion.
The research team and I investigated how
Archaeocyathid sponges might have contributed
to the creation of reef structure. We collected
samples from early-Cambrian rock for further
study in the lab at Princeton. I used GPS
coordinates to record where we gathered each
sample and to mark approximately 1,000 random
points within a diamond grid for the purpose of
creating a rendering of our site. Using these data
and aerial photographs taken during two drone
flights, we digitally reconstructed a 3D model
of our site. This internship enhanced my course
of study and helped me develop a skill base and
excitement for fieldwork. I am more excited
about the research opportunities that my junior
paper and senior thesis will provide and am
considering postgraduate education.
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