Meet our team!

Principal Investigator

Dr. Natasha Sekhon [say-kho] is an Assistant Professor of Geology at Occidental College. Natasha received her B.S. from the University of California, Irvine, followed by a M.S. and Ph.D. from the Institute for Geophysics and Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Texas, Austin, respectively. She was a postdoctoral researcher at Brown Univerisity as a Voss Postdoc Research Associate and Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow. Dr. Sekhon studies changes in the hydroclimate cycle through time using stable isotope and trace element geochemistry. In her free time, Natasha enjoys participating in live performances, dancing, climbing or immersing herself in new cultures and trying new cuisines!

Current Members

Mira Hart ('26)
Mira is the longest WICK Lab member!
Mira has been working on projects in the Philippines. On a URC ASP Research Travel Grant, Mira assisted Dr. Sekhon in the Philippines for 10 days. Field work is an integral part of the WICK Lab, and Mira helped collect cave monitoring data and stalagmite samples. Mira is working on her Senior Comps investigating how tropical hydroclimate responds to periods of Rapid Climate Change. She is working on the stable isotope and trace element reconstruction of two stalagmites that grew over Heinrich Stadials 2 - 4.
When Mira is not in the lab, she enjoys trying new coffee shops, spending time with friends, and exploring Los Angeles. You will also find Mira outside hiking, playing golf, or paddle boarding. You can connect with Mira on her Linkedin.

Alex Witten ('26)
Alex is working with Dr. Sekhon to start a project in the Seqouia and Kings Canyon National Park (SEKI NP). SEKI NP has some world class karst alpine systems. Karst aquifers are extremely sensitive to surface conditions. Plus, southern California's Mediterrean climate brings with it a volatile fire season that relies on a strong wet season. Alex is currently using Landsat data over SEKI NP to study pre- and post- KNP Complex fire burn severity. After spending summer 2025 in Nepal, Alex is exploring cave systems in SEKI NP to narrow down the ideal surface-subsurface system to answer the question: How does fire alter effective recharge?
In his free time, Alex enjoys surfing, climbing, and exploring the Sierra Nevada Mountains. You can connect with Alex on his Linkedin.

Christopher Cronk ('26)
Christopher is working with the WICK Lab and Prof. Amy Holmes-Tagchungdarpa to characterize the geochemistry and cultural significance of soils from Sikkim. With collaborators at UT Austin, Christoher will analyze XRF, EA, pH, XRD on collected soil samples that hold deep cultural significance for the Indigenous people of Sikkim. This project is funded by Occidental College's Young Initiative Grant awarded to Profs. Sekhon and Holmes-Tagchungdarpa.
In his free time, Christopher looks to the natural world to learn about agriculture, medicinal plants, and Indigenous ways of knowing. He likes to watercolor and play the guitar -- as well as write songs about his experiences. Christopher stands in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples being displaced globally, as he believes this goes hand in hand with the scientific community's efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Street Senan ('27)
Street has been working on their own project in the WICK Lab since Summer 2025 as a SRP fellow. They are working on a stalagmite sample that grew through the last deglaciation in the Philippines. When Street is not in the lab they like to get outside by hiking, skiing, and rock climbing. Street also loves listening to music while reading in the sun, and cooking new recipes with loved ones! You can connect with Street on their Linkedin.

Jivleen Parmar ('27)
Jivleen is working as a Directed Research student in the WICK Lab. She is helping Dr. Sekhon set up the lab's Picarro instrument for analyses. This involves testing sensitivity of the new instrument, setting up in-house lab standards and measuring unknowns. Jivleen is also working towards analyzing Indian Summer Monsoon rainfall for stable isotopes. In her free time, Jivleen enjoys reading, gardening, and playing the drums.

Past Members

Grace Meadows ('25)
Grace worked in the WICK Lab to investigate the relationship between Southern Paiute people and karst landscapes in the Mojave Desert. They presented their results at the GSA Conference, Anaheim, CA with a talk in the Human Dimensions of Geoheritage session.


Reyli Rameriz ('27)
Reyli joined the WICK Lab as a Research Early Access Program (REAP) student in Summer 2024. Reyli worked to help set up the lab with Dr. Sekhon.


Mae Stone ('27)
Mae worked in the WICK Lab as a Directed Research student in Fall 2024. Her project involved constructing watersheds in ArcGIS for karst landscapes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.