GEOPAths GO Jamaica - A CUAHSI Board Spotlight with Ashley Matheny
Posted Aug 13, 2025
Great science often begins with strong connections. The GEOPAths GO Jamaica project grew from the friendship of PIs Rowan Martindale, Melissa Kemp, and Ashley Matheny, Associate Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the Jackson School of Geosciences and a CUAHSI board member, who were already conducting research in Jamaica. They saw an opportunity to work together while giving students, especially those without typical access to fieldwork, a chance to experience Earth science firsthand. Joining them was Leah Turner, CUAHSI’s Director of Education and Strategic Partnerships, a social scientist studying how these experiences shape students’ academic and career paths.
GEOPAths GO Jamaica is an NSF-supported program that introduces students to the geosciences through hands-on conservation work. Undergraduate and graduate students from the U.S. and Jamaica collaborate with researchers and local experts to study and protect coastal ecosystems, investigating coral reefs, mangrove forests, river chemistry, and fossil records of past ecosystems. By connecting disciplines such as hydrology, chemistry, biology, oceanography, and paleontology, the program offers an integrated view of Jamaica’s coastline, past and present. The team works with both scientists and community members to develop sustainable strategies for healthy coastlines and communities, while inspiring the next generation to see themselves in the geosciences.
Jamaica’s ecosystems are vital yet vulnerable, and long-term monitoring has historically been limited. Conservation plans have often been developed without local input. GEOPAths GO Jamaica addresses these gaps by fostering collaborative conservation strategies and broadening participation in the geosciences. In its second year, the program brought together partners from The University of Texas at Austin, The University of the West Indies Mona, Georgia Institute of Technology, and the UWI Discovery Bay Marine Lab. Students explore interconnected Earth science systems on land, at the coast, and in the ocean, while engaging with local communities and conservation leaders.
The program engages students in service learning that blends hydrology, paleontology, ecology, geochemistry, geoheritage, and community engagement. Its primary impact is in training and mentoring early-career scholars, with a goal of preparing them for careers in the geosciences and related fields. To date, the program has reached 23 students and 10 principal investigators, with a total goal of mentoring about 34 students. Participants gain field, analytical, and leadership skills — from collecting water samples and monitoring nutrient pollution to fossil identification, data analysis, and community engagement. Students also experience cultural exchange in Jamaica and at The University of Texas at Austin, present their findings at international conferences such as AGU and GSA, and receive professional development support in graduate school applications, CV building, and career planning.
Beyond student development, the project highlights the environmental vulnerability of Jamaica and other Caribbean regions. Tourism and human activities, such as fishing, can impact ecosystems already stressed by climate change. The program fosters dialogue about these issues, creating space for local leaders to share perspectives and develop community-driven solutions. In partnership with the Jamaican Forestry Department and the Center for Education Through Exploration at Arizona State University, GEOPAths GO Jamaica is developing a virtual-reality field experience to communicate its findings to the public and expand outreach in schools, museums, and tourist sites in Jamaica and classrooms in the U.S.
Looking ahead, the program aims to prepare students for careers in the geosciences, Earth sciences, conservation, and related fields. Over the next 5–10 years, most alumni are expected to be actively pursuing or employed in these areas. The research conducted by the interdisciplinary team is anticipated to generate additional funded projects that benefit local communities and advance conservation. The virtual-reality experience will further extend the program’s impact, sharing the interconnected story of Jamaica’s ecosystems with a broader audience.