Marcos Salas-Saavedra, PhDEnvironmental Geochemist • U–Th Geochronology • Coral Paleoclimate

Volunteer Teaching in Bangladesh

January–February 2025 — I was invited by the Be Well Institute, a non-profit education center in rural Bangladesh, to design and deliver an undergraduate-level short course on soil science and biogeochemical nutrient cycles. The course was shaped to local agriculture and emphasized simple, reliable measurements students could repeat at home or in the field.

Hands-on: We built a practical toolkit together—safe sampling and handling, temperature and pH logging, moisture checks, basic respiration measurements, and simple QA ideas (duplicates, blanks) so data are trustworthy.

Applications: Students monitored compost and soils over time, connected mineral micronutrients to plant health, and learned to spot meaningful changes versus noise. The program director, Mr. Eugene Prewitt, reported stronger engagement and clearer understanding across the group.

Theory class — wide view of students during soil science lecture Theory class — explaining soil physical properties at the board Theory class — students engaged in the session Theory class — slide on soil health and structure Soil respiration experiment — field setup and measurements Aerobic compost — students adding materials to the pile Aerobic compost — chopping and mixing green matter Discussion session — biogeochemical cycles and applications Be Well Institute team — group photo at the campus Be Well Institute team — field trip group photo in the forest Sharing a simple meal with a local family in a tin house Child enjoying dal and rice at the table Eating rice and curry Bangladeshi-style with the right hand Elder walking barefoot on a village road carrying a sack Children’s coloring activity on a rooftop veranda Street scene in black-and-white—rider on scooter passing stalls Night market—bright neon shop signs and busy sidewalks Laughing with friends outside the community center City street with rickshaw and traffic Viaduct pillar mural reading ‘Jobaer you will be remembered’ Viaduct pillar mural with the quote ‘Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot’ Podcast recording setup in Dhaka — group photo with hosts, studio lights, and microphones

Outreach

I enjoy translating geoscience for wider audiences—connecting climate, oceans, and everyday choices. This includes public talks, community events, and conversations with students and professionals outside my field.

Community Workshop

Mind Matters — Understanding Depression & Anxiety

I created Mind Matters — Understanding Depression & Anxiety because I’ve long been fascinated by the mind—its incredible power and its fragility when we neglect or misuse it. As a teenager I walked through a season of depression myself, which left me with deep empathy and a desire to make help practical and accessible. As a researcher, I also see the data: depression and anxiety are rising, and too many people suffer in silence. That’s why I’ve invested time studying the topic, drawing insight from Mind, Character, and Personality (Ellen G. White) and completing training in Mental Health First Aid as well as certification to direct the community format of Dr. Neil Nedley’s Depression & Anxiety Recovery Program (DARP). This workshop brings those threads together—science, lived experience, and faith-informed wisdom—to reduce stigma, explain what’s happening in the brain, and offer clear, doable steps toward hope and recovery.

This is a four-part community workshop on stress, anxiety, and low mood—sharing science-based tools for understanding and hope. This event is educational and does not replace professional medical care.

Mind Matters workshop poster

Download flyer (PDF)

Get Help Now (NJ & US)

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

© Marcos Salas-Saavedra, PhD • CV (PDF)