I am broadly interested in understanding how planetary surfaces change over time due to fluvial or anthropogenic processes.
Most of my current work focuses on accessing a suite of large datasets to couple landscape metrics with fluvial and human health information to seek connections between variables and determine how past landscape changes can help inform future management decisions.
Some of my recent and past research endeavors include investigating the morphometry and timing of thrust faults on Mars, determining the impact of legacy sediment on stream channel morphology in the North Carolina Piedmont, and understanding how to improve spatial skills using visual navigations of geologic block diagrams.
Academic Research Experience
Earth Surface Processes and Active Tectonics Laboratory, North Carolina State University
Graduate Researcher • 2016-2021
Planetary Surface Processes Laboratory, North Carolina State University
Graduate Researcher • 2016-2021
Geocognition Laboratory, North Carolina State University
Graduate Research Assistant • 2014-2017
Cosmogenic Nuclide Laboratory, SUNY Geneseo
Undergraduate Researcher • 2012-2013
Publications and Articles
—–In preparation, review, or revision—–
Atkins, R.M., Rumsey, C.A., Morriss, M.M., Root, J.C., and Hynek, S.A. Salinity in the Upper Colorado River Basin: Exploring the impacts of landscape change and reservoirs on sediment yields and water quality. USGS Scientific Investigations Report.
—–Published—–
Atkins, R.M., Wegmann, K.W., and Bohnenstiehl, D.R. 2022. Channel head response to anthropogenic landscape modification: A case study from the North Carolina Piedmont, USA, with implications for water quality. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 48(2):433-451.
Atkins, R.M., Byrne, P.K., Bohnenstiehl, D.R., and Wegmann, K.W. 2022. A morphometric investigation of large-scale crustal shortening on Mars. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 127(5).
Kling, C.L., Byrne, P.K., Atkins, R.M., and Wegmann, K.W. 2021. Tectonic deformation and volatile loss in the formation of Noctis Labyrinthus, Mars, Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 126(11):1-18.
Gold, Anne U., Atkins, R.M., McNeal, K.S. 2021. Undergraduates’ graph interpretation and scientific paper reading shift from novice- to expert-like as a result of participation in a summer research experience. Scholarship and Practice of Undergraduate Research, 5(2):7-19.
McNeal, K.S., Atkins, R.M., and Johnson, E.T. 2021. Visualizing student navigation of geologic block diagrams, In Devetak I. and Glazar, S.A. (Eds.), Applying bio-measurements methodology in science education research. Springer p.295-308.
Soltis, N., McNeal, K.S., Atkins, R.M., Maudlin, L. 2020. A novel approach to measuring student engagement while using an augmented reality sandbox, Journal of Geography in Higher Education (online).
Davis, C., Aldridge, H., Boyles, R., McNeal, K.S., Maudlin, L, Atkins, R.M. 2020. Visually communicating future climate in a web environment, Weather, Climate and Society, 12(4):877-896.
Maudlin, L. McNeal, K.S., Dinon-Aldridge, H., Davis, C. Boyles, R., Atkins R.M. 2020. Website Usability Differences between Males and Females: An Eye-tracking Evaluation of a Climate Decision Support System, Weather, Climate and Society, 12:183-192.
McNeal, K.S., Ryker, K., Whitmeyer, S., Giorgis, S., Atkins, R.M., LaDue, N., Clark, C., Soltis, N., Pingel, T. 2019. A multi-institutional study of inquiry-based lab activities using the Augmented Reality Sandbox: impacts on undergraduate student learning, Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 44(1):85-107.
Atkins, R. M., McNeal, K.S. 2018. Exploring differences among student populations during climate graph reading tasks: An eye tracking study. Journal of Astronomy and Earth Science Education (JAESE), 5:85-114.
Ryker, K., McNeal, K.S., LaDue, N., Atkins, R.M., Clark, C. 2016. Augmented reality sandboxes: Hacking a hands-on experience. In the Trenches, 6:1-4.
Atkins, R. M. 2016. This is what science looks like at NC State: Rachel Atkins. NC State News, Jan 13. Blog post. https://news.ncsu.edu/2016/01/science-looks-like-rachel-atkins/.
Atkins, R, M. 2015. Interview by Laura Zdanski. Global Change Forum Researcher Spotlight. https://globalchange.ncsu.edu/researcher-spotlight-rachel-atkins/.
Invited Speaker Presentations
Atkins, R. M. 2019. Martian Faults, Terrestrial streams and pathways into geoscience. University Scholars Seminar Series: Faculty Conversations, North Carolina State University, NC (invited)
Atkins, R. M. 2019. Factors driving planetary landscape evolution: global contraction of Mars and anthropogenic modification of Earth. UVU Earth Science Seminar Series, Utah Valley University, UT (invited)
Atkins, R. M. 2019. Characterizing channel head response to anthropogenic landscape evolution. Geneseo Geology Special Seminar, Geneseo, NY (invited)
Selected Presentations
Atkins, R. M., Byrne, P. K., and Bohnenstiehl, D. 2021. Investigating morphometric characteristics of shortening structures across Mars, Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, Mar. 15-19. (virtual oral presentation)
Atkins, R. M., Byrne, P. K., Bohnenstiehl, D., Klimczak, C. 2020. A morphometric investigation of crustal shortening structures on Mars, Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, The Woodlands, TX, Mar. 16-20. (oral) Conference cancelled due to COVID19
Atkins, R.M. and Wegmann, K.W. 2019. Characterizing channel head response to anthropogenic landscape modification. Geological Society of America Meeting, Phoenix, AZ, Sept. 22-25. (oral presentation)
Atkins, R.M., Wegmann, K.W., Brewer, C. and McConnell, D. 2019. GeoJourney: Improving undergraduate pathways into the geosciences through an outdoor experiential high school-to-university bridge course. Geological Society of America Meeting, Phoenix, AZ, Sept. 22-25. (poster)
Atkins, R. M., Byrne, P. K., and Wegmann, K. W. 2019. Morphometry and timing of major crustal shortening structures on Mars. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, The Woodlands, TX, Mar. 18-22. (poster)
Soltis, N.A., McNeal, K.S., Atkins, R.M., Maudlin, L.C., Schnittka, C. 2018. Understanding student engagement while using an augmented reality sandbox. NARST International Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA, Mar 10-13. (abstract)
Maudlin, L.C., McNeal, K.S., Davis, C. N., Aldridge, H. D., Boyles, R. P. and Atkins, R.M. 2018. The expert to novice spectrum: An eye tracking evaluation on how user experience shapes interactions with a climate decision support system. American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting, Austin, TX, Jan. 8. (abstract)
Atkins, R. M., McNeal, K.S. 2017. Visualizing student navigation of geologic block diagrams. Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, Oct. 22-25. (oral presentation)
Ryker, K., McNeal, K.S., Giorgis, S., Whitmeyer, S.J., LaDue, N., Atkins, R.M., Clark, C. 2017. A multi-institutional study of lab activities using the augmented reality sandbox: Impacts on learning. Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, Oct. 22-25. (abstract)
Soltis, N.A., McNeal, K.S., Atkins, R.M., Maudlin, L.C. 2017. Understanding student engagement while using an augmented reality sandbox. Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, Oct. 22-25. (abstract)
Atkins, R. M., McNeal, K.S., Ormand, C., Shipley, T. 2016. Student visual navigation of geologic block diagrams: Implications for teaching spatial skills in the undergraduate classroom. Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, Oct. 25-28. (oral presentation)
Maudlin, L.C., McNeal, K.S., Atkins, R.M., Askim, P., Ngo, A., Luginbuhl, S., Michalak, A. 2016. Assessing how attending a concert and/or a science café about global change alters the engagement, conceptions, perceptions, attitudes and behaviors of attendees. Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, Oct. 25-28. (abstract)
Maudlin, L.C., McNeal, K.S., Atkins, R.M., Davis, C., Boyles, R., Aldridge, H.D. 2016. Eye-tracking assessment of the usability of a web-based climate decision making tool used by forestry and stakeholders in the southeastern US. Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, Oct. 25-28. (abstract)
Ryker, K., McNeal, K.S., Atkins, R.M., LaDue, N., Clark, C. 2016. The impact of an AR Sandbox on map-reading skills using a “free-play” experience. Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, Oct. 25-28. (abstract)
Atkins, R.M., McNeal, K.S., Luginbuhl, S. 2016. An eye-tracking study on expert/novice differences during climate graph reading tasks: Implications for climate communication. Earth Educators Rendezvous, Madison, WI, July 13-15. (poster)
Atkins R. M. and McNeal, K.S. 2015. Eye-tracking study on expert-novice differences during climate change graph reading tasks. Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Baltimore, Nov. 1-4. (oral presentation)
McNeal, K.S., Mitra. R., Luginbuhl, S., Atkins, R. M. 2015. Eye tracking, pupillometry, and hand biosensors in geoscience education research: current trends, applications, and future directions. Earth Educators Rendezvous, Boulder, CO, July 18-22. (poster)
Atkins, R. M. 2015: Expert/Novice differences in graph reading: Implications for climate change communication, Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Science Graduate Seminar, Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University, Oct 2. (oral presentation)
Atkins, R. M. 2015. Expert/Novice differences in graph reading: Implications for climate change communication. NC State Global Change Symposium, Raleigh, NC, Aug 28. (poster)
Atkins R.M. and McNeal, K.S. 2014. Teaching climate change in the undergraduate and graduate classroom using multiple representations and a variety of teaching modalities. American Geophysical Union Fall Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA Dec. 5-9. (oral presentation)