My research focuses on deciphering marine sediment records of past climate and ocean conditions. Such records provide necessary context to better understand the climate and ocean changes today. I was a marine sedimentologist for several ocean expeditions, and in 2024 I was the U.S. co-chief scientist for International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 403. During that expedition, we drilled >5 km of sediment cores from the Arctic Ocean, near Svalbard. In addition, I conduct geoscience education research. Much of it involves translating marine geology (e.g., paleoclimatology, paleoceanography) research into effective learning materials for education at the college level.

• St. John, K. and Krissek, L. (Eds.) 2025. Earth’s Climate: A Geoscience Perspective. Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-82869-0 [open access textbook] 
• St. John, K., Lucchi, R.G., Ronge, T.A., et al., 2026. Expedition 403 summary. In Lucchi, R.G., St. John, K.E.K., Ronge, T.A., and the Expedition 403 Scientists, Eastern Fram Strait Paleo-Archive. Proceedings of the International Ocean Discovery Program, 403: College Station, TX (International Ocean Discovery Program). https://doi.org/10.14379/iodp.proc.403.101.2026 
• St John, K., Lucchi, R.G., Ronge, et al., 2026. Up-current geomorphic events and local tectonics as primary controls on sediment transport by the West Spitsbergen Current and sedimentation in the Fram Strait since ca. 3 Ma. Geology, 54(7): 673-677. https://doi.org/10.1130/G54231.1