Lauren Graniero

She has extensive experience teaching oceanography, geology, and environmental science at the undergraduate level, using innovative, project and inquiry-based methods to engage students in face-to-face, hybrid, and online learning environments. Her research interests include paleoclimatology, low-temperature geochemistry, and stable isotope geochemistry. She has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and is an active participant in departmental, university, and community service. Dr. Graniero has also been recognized for her commitment to developing future scientists through classroom instruction and research supervision.

Education

Ph.D. in Geological Sciences, UNC-Chapel Hill; M.S. in Geology and Geophysics, Texas A&M University; B.S. in Geology, Union College

Specialization in Teaching

She employs a variety of active learning strategies designed to engage students and foster a deeper understanding of the material. These methods include in-class activities that facilitate active learning and allow students to apply concepts in real time. Another effective strategy she uses is think-pair-share, which allows students to think individually, pair up with a partner to discuss their thoughts, and then share their insights with the class. This enhances collaboration among peers but also helps students refine their understanding through dialogue.

In addition to these strategies, she places strong emphasis on project-based learning, where students work on extended projects that require them to investigate and respond to complex questions or problems. This approach allows them to engage in hands-on, immersive, interdisciplinary learning experiences that matter to them, making the content more meaningful.

Dr. Graniero's use of metacognitive strategies plays a crucial role in student development. By encouraging students to reflect on their learning processes—such as notetaking, or problem-solving—she helps them become better aware of how they learn. This reflection fosters self-efficacy, as students gain confidence in their abilities to tackle challenges independently. Ultimately, these approaches empower students to take ownership of their learning and also facilitate independent problem-solving skills that will serve them beyond the classroom.

Research Interests

As a paleoclimatologist, Dr. Graniero is interested in using records of environmental change, such as carbonates from clam, mussel, scallop, & snail shells, to expand our understanding of climate and environmental change over the recent past. As these organisms grow, they record a variety of environmental conditions in their shells (like how tree rings record climate conditions). By examining modern, archaeological, & fossil shells, we can better understand how increases in extreme weather, land-use change, and climate change affect ecosystems over time. Her current research also includes examining the complex interactions among nutrient sources, ecosystem functions, and water quality in modern coastal environments. She uses stable nitrogen and carbon isotopes to examine nutrient sources, including agricultural runoff, stormwater, and wastewater, that contribute to eutrophication and harmful algal blooms. By studying these isotopic signatures, Dr. Graniero seeks to identify the causes of nutrient pollution and its impacts on biogeochemical cycles, particularly in sensitive coastal ecosystems like the Masonboro Island National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Professional Service

Dr. Graniero is a member of the Welcoming and Belonging Committee in the Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences and is the faculty co-advisor for the Earth and Ocean Sciences Club at UNCW. She served as a SAIL Faculty Fellow during the 2024-25 academic year as well.

Community Engagement

Dr. Graniero regularly coordinates coastal cleanups, non-UNCW teaching requests, and participates in outreach with the NC Coastal Federation.

Honors & Awards

Recently, Dr. Graniero was awarded the 2025 EOS Departmental Citizenship Award.