Department of Earth Sciences
School of Science
Indiana University~Purdue University, Indianapolis

   
Home
Degree Programs
Research
Faculty & Staff
Courses
Service Learning
Student Resources
Events
Alumni
Ask a Geologist, or
an Environmental
Scientist
Finding IUPUI:
Maps
Directions
IUPUI Department of Earth Sciences (aka Geology) Alumni

If you have any information about IUPUI Geology alumni or former faculty, photos of students or faculty, remembrances, etc., please contribute them.  If you are a graduate of the IUPUI Geology Department and would like to be added to the list, send your information to fhernly@iupui.eduClick here for an EXAMPLE of the kind of information to submit. Thanks!

Jump to a letter

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

  Phyllis Abel -see Phyllis Hocket
Sue Allen-Long
B.A., Geology, IUPUI, 1998

Phosphorous is essential for the metabolism of all living things, and hence, is essential to biological production. An experimental weathering study of fluorapatite is designed to determine the effects of microbial colonization on the weathering of apatite mineral surfaces.  Microbes may attach to the apatite mineral surfaces for the purpose of releasing phosphorus from the structure.

  Allyson K. Anderson
B.S., University of Northern Iowa, 1997?
M.S., IUPUI, 2000
Ph.D., University of Kansas, 2003?

Allyson K. Anderson RSAD Uinv of Kansas alkander@ku.edu

Allyson K. Anderson, (August 1997), Degree of Hornblende Etching in Moraine Soils of the Wind River Range, Wyoming.

EYH Workshops, 2004 - "Remote Sensing Applications" - Compare space views with Earth pictures and real rock samples
Allyson K. Anderson, Geophysicist, ExxonMobil Exploration Company, Houston, TX

[updated April 2005]

Photo Needed! Beth Anker
B.S., IUPUI, 2000
Ph.D., University of New Mexico, YEAR?

[updated 2000]  Well, we made it to Albuquerque in mid-June -- dog, cat, kids, houseplants, and in-laws (mine -- they left shortly thereafter).  Sean is settled in as Chief Engineer at KOB-TV (an NBC affiliate station).  The kids are both in school this year, and doing well (except for an occasional failed math test). I am an official slave now.

   Actually, I have gone straight from being an IUPUI undergrad to being a University of New Mexico doctoral student -- do not pass the Master's qualifying exam; do not collect a degree.  I don't know that I am a Ph.D. type of person, but here I am.

   I have a teaching assistantship this year (research the next two). So I have real students now, three sections of physical geology lab. We're doing rock ID now. My thesis started with the intent of looking for subduction alteration of lithospheric mantle under the Colorado Plateau. But it seems that I may be looking into Th-depletions in the lithospheric mantle in general, to see if these are real or manufactured by sampling mantle with clinopyroxene in it.  We'll see.

Photo Needed! Jody Arthur
B.A., Journalism, IUPUI, 1998
M.S., Geology, IUPUI, 2001

Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Office of Water Quality
Planning and Restoration Branch, Wetlands/TMDL Section

Contact information
Phone: (317) 233-5746

Thesis: The stratigraphic record of tropical storms and hurricanes in south Florida

[updated April 2005]

B

Photo Needed! Judith Beaty
B.A., IUPUI, 1973
M.S., Environmental Sciences, SPEA, IU Bloomington, 1989

Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water
Technical Services Branch, Resource Assessment Section

Contact information
Phone: (317) 232-4160 main office line

[updated April 2005]

Adam Boettner
B.S., Geology, St. Norbert College, 1997
M.S., Environmental Geology, IUPUI,
2000

 

 

[updated November 2006]

Rosalice Buehrer
B.S., IUPUI, 1999
M.S., Geology, IUPUI, 2003

Geochemistry Lab Manager, IUPUI Geology Department
Office: SL 058, The Geochemistry Laboratory

Carbon and Sulfur abundances in granitic rocks

C

Photo Needed! Sarah K. Campbell
B.A., Anthropology & Geology, Indiana University (IUPUI), 1972
Ph.D., University of Washington
Web Page at Western Washington Univ.

[2001] I currently am an Associate Professor of Anthropology at Western Washington University and a principal in an archaeological consulting firm, Northwest Archaeological Associates, based in Seattle.

Photo Needed! Jeff Carnahan

M.S., Geology, IUPUI, 1998

Employment: August Mack
 

 

Leda Casey
B.S., Geology, IUPUI, 2003
M.S., Geology, IUPUI, 2007

Employment: IDEM
Thesis: Title  Faculty Advisor: Lenore Tedesco.

Interests: My research interests as a student included watershed hydrology and the fate and transport of contaminants. The effects of land cover and land use on water quality and nutrient loading to streams, lakes, and reservoirs are areas of special interest. Other areas of interest include wetland hydrology and restoration, environmental monitoring, and remote sensing. I completed my M.S. as a Central Indiana Water Resources Partnership fellow.  I also worked as a research assistant for the Center of Earth and Environmental Science.

Contact information
E-mail:
Phone: (mobile)
Address: .

[updated July 2006]

Photo Needed! George Cesnik
B.A., IUPUI, 1985

Indiana Department of Environmental Management
Permits Branch, Solid Waste Section

Contact information
Phone: (317) 233-5746

[updated April 2005]

Marta Corbin
B.A., IUPUI, 1989
M.S., Univ. of Tennessee, 1993

[2003]
Employment: IUPUI and IUPUC

Photo Needed! George Crosby
B.A., IUPUI, 1978

Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water, Dams and Levees Section

[updated April 2005]

D

Photo Needed! Matthew J. Dagon
B.S., Purdue University, 1993
M.S., Geology, IUPUI, 2001

Thesis: Chemistry of buried soils in Central Indiana : influences of landscape position and parent material.
Employment:
AMEC Earth & Environmental, Inc.

[updated Feb 2007]

David Deming
B.S., Geology, IUPUI, 1983
Ph.D., Geophysics, University of Utah, 1988

Associate Professor of Arts and Sciences, University of Oklahoma

Contact information
E-mail: ddeming@ou.edu  
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Deming

Photo Needed! Nancy Dollar
B.S., Institution, YEAR
M.S., IUPUI, 2000

Indiana Department of Environmental Management
Remediation Branch, Site Investigation/Brownfields Section

Contact information
Phone: (317) 234-3505

[updated April 2005]


Foster Falls, TN
Dan Dorman
B.A., IUPUI, 1997

Employment: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

Contact information
E-mail: Daniel.Dorman@state.tn.us 

I have been working for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) since 2000.

We moved to Chattanooga, TN after my graduation in 1997. I have 5 boys and spend a lot of time at the ball park.

[updated Apr 2006]

Durbin_Jim.jpg (240256 bytes) Jim Durbin
B.S., Geology, IUPUI, 1988
M.S., Geology, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, 1993
Ph.D., University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 1998?

Email: JDURBIN@USI.EDU
Employment:
Faculty, University of Southern Indiana
Interests: family, summertime, playing and watching sports of every type, hiking, camping, fishing, riding motorcycles, cartoons, automobile racing, barbecues, beer, and a good bar.
Thesis: ...relate the geomorphic response of a fluvial system to extrinsic forcing mechanisms, specifically climatic change and glacio-eustasy over the last 120,000 years.
More About Jim HERE

E
F
Mark P. Fisherkeller
B.A., IUPUI, 2000

Employment:
Staff Geologist, ARCADIS, Indianapolis
251 East Ohio Street, Suite 800
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Phone - (317) 231-6500
Fax - (317) 231-6514

MFisherkeller@arcadis-us.com

I spent my first three years out of school with August Mack Environmental where I cut my teeth on a plethora of environmental consulting tasks.  In 2001 I joined ARCADIS and have continued to develop professionally.  In my time with ARCADIS I have focused primarily on site investigations, remedial strategy and remedial implementation.  I am currently managing a project in which we are addressing chlorinated solvents in a shallow aquifer system through the addition of a carbon source to promote bacterial growth, and thus promoting or enhancing reductive dechlorination.

Joys of Life:  Peggy (MS, 1999) and I have one child, Hazel (who is 2 years old), and a second on the way (due July 30, 2005) currently named Hienrich.  I am quite certain that Peggy will not allow that name to stick as Hazel was Helmut prior to her arrival.  Hazel and I enjoy such activities as dancing to They Might Be Giants and building robots with Mega Legos.

[updated April 2005}

Eric A. Flodin
B.S., IUPUI, 1998
Ph.D., Stanford, 2003

Assistant Professor, Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne
Interests: structural geology, rock fractures and fluid flow, petrophysics

Contact information
 flodine@ipfw.edu
Eric's IPFW WebPage
IPFW Geology WebPage

IPFW Geosciences
2101 E. Coliseum Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1445

Phone: (260) 481-6253
Fax: (260) 481-6880

[updated April 2005]

Nicole Fohey
B.S., Geology, IUPUI, 2004
M.S., Geology, IUPUI, 2006

Employment: still looking!
Thesis: A Petrologic Study of Ignimbrites from the Sidewinder Volcanic Series, and Comparison to Exposed Plutons, Mojave Desert, Southern California.  Faculty Advisor: Andrew Barth.

Interests: My graduate research focused on the relationship between explosive volcanic rocks and solidified magma chambers in southern California near Barstow. Research has already begun on several of the plutons surrounding my research area, the Sidewinder Volcanic Series, but little information has been collected on the volcanic rocks themselves. Understanding how the volcanics relate to nearby plutons will demonstrate how magma chambers evolved during the Mesozoic in California, and will determine if there is a direct relationship between volcanism and plutonism, a topic that is currently under intense speculation. Faculty Advisor: Andrew Barth.

Contact information
E-mail: nfohey@iupui.edu
Phone:
Address:

While a grad student at IUPUI,  I was an Assistant Instructor for G120 – Physical Geology Lab; and G119 – Historical Geology Lab as well as the Graduate Student Organization Representative (GSO)

[updated July 2006]

G
Photo Needed! Jim Gaiser
B.A., Anthropology & Geology, Indiana University (IUPUI), 1973
M.S., University of Texas, Dallas, YEAR?

[2001] Currently employed by WesternGeco
email: 
Jim Gaiser

Photo Needed! Beth (Ginzel) Hernly
B.A., IUPUI, 1993

Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil & Gas

[updated April 2005]

Dustin Graves
B.S., Geology, University of Southern Indiana, 2003
M.S., Geology, IUPUI, 2007


Employment: Staff Geologist, ATEC

My Graduate research included the water quality comparison between central Indiana fens, relative to geology. Fens are loosely defined as ground water charged wetlands that typically remain alkaline. My study sites included some of the southern-most existing fens within the Midwest. Results suggest that fens located throughout the Northern Hemisphere share similarity in their ground water geochemistry, and fens located along the same stratigraphic contact in central Indiana show little variation among geochemical signatures. The geologic setting of these wetlands appears to play a role in their geochemical signatures, as variation among fen geochemistry is attributed to the parameters of Ca2+ and HCO3-, which have been linked to carbonate mineral and gypsum dissolution dynamics.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Lenore Tedesco

Photo Needed! Tim Graves
B.S., IUPUI, 1982
M.S., Geology - Hydrogeology focus, Colorado State University, 1984

Employment: CH2M HILL

[updated 1999] I've just passed my 12-year anniversary with CH2M HILL (2 and a quarter years in Denver initially, in Albuquerque for 4 and a quarter years, and in Phoenix the last 5 and a half years).  I'm a Senior Project Manager and Environmental Business Group Leader for Arizona and New Mexico.  It’s a wonderful company to work for and I hope I can stay here until I'm ready to retire.  I was with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for my first 3 years after receiving an MS in Geology (hydrogeology focus) from Colorado State University in 1984.

   On the personal front, Suzanne and I recently had our 21st anniversary (22nd if you count the first year living in sin).  She works at the local Middle School doing a variety of administrative assistant activities and enjoys it.  Our only child, Alexandra, just started High School (I once heard that the definition of a "Neo-Conservative" was a father with a daughter in High School, and I think that's me).  Alex (aka Alexa, aka  Lexi, aka whatever it is this month) is wonderful and we couldn't get her to move from this place if we had to.  (Which is okay with me as I love the heat - this is the best place for year-round weather of any of the six states I've lived in).


Grand Canyon
T. Kim Greeman
B.S., Indiana University (IUPUI), 1977

Employment: United States Geological Survey 1973 to 2004
Interests: Minerals were what got me started, and I'm still a mineral collector today.  I also collect copper coins, and other copper objects.

Contact information
E-mail:
tgreeman@usgs.gov or kgreeman@sbcglobal.com
Phone: Home (317)252-5828  Work(317)290-3333
Address:7826 Hoover Road, Indianapolis, IN  46260

I started collecting minerals when I was about 9 years old.  First I scoured my Indianapolis neighborhood for all the geodes and mineralogical "objects de art".  Eventually annual summer vacations to famous old mining areas was great camping, and good collecting.  

I'm just finishing my 31st year with the USGS, and think it's time to retire.  I plan to spend part of my retirement arranging my mineral collection, and making sure it ends up in a suitable location.

Interestingly my USGS career has been in ground water.  When I graduated from IUPUI, I intended to work in the field of economic mineralogy.  But, I quickly realized the most significant mineral resource to everyone, is water.  And you know, as a geology student I already knew it.  Today in the 21st century, the field of hydrology is still opening up, and I recommend it to future geologists.

H


Italy
Sarah Hale
B.A. Anthropology, IU Bloomington, 2001
Final Year, SL 058, 278-1853
Thesis Defense 06 DEC 2007
"Paleoproductivity Variations in the Eastern Central Equatorial Pacific Ocean on Glacial Timescales."


My research focuses on the changes in biological productivity due to nutrient upwelling on glacial-interglacial timescales in the Equatorial Pacific. I am currently analyzing Pleistocene sediment, recovered by piston coring aboard the Research Vessel Roger Revelle (AMAT03) site survey cruise. Chemical proxies pertaining to productivity and nutrient uptake will be examined in detail, specifically phosphorous, barium and aluminum. These finding will ultimately contribute to a better understanding of global nutrient dynamics and productivity of the past one million years.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Gabe Filippelli
Bob E. Hall
B.S., Ball State University, 1994
M.S., IUPUI Geology, 2000

Employment: Center for Earth and Environmental Science, IUPUI
bhall@iupui.edu

F. Vincent Hernly
B.A., Indiana University (IUPUI), 1992
M.S., Indiana University (IUPUI), 1997

Thesis: Determination of parent material changes in paleosols using detailed grain-size analysis.
Interests:

Lab Coordinator, IUPUI Department of Earth Sciences

Alexander E. Hess
B.S., Indiana University (IUPUI), 1990

Photo Coming Soon! Phyllis Hocket (aka Phyllis Abel)
B.A., Indiana University (IUPUI), 1994
M.S., Indiana University (IUPUI), 1997

Employment:  US Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District Office, Kentucky

Contact information
E-mail: Phyllis.M.Hockett@uasce.army.mil

Phone: Work (502) 315-6683
Address:
6350 Hickory Trace, Georgetown, IN 47122

Well it took at least five years after graduation to stop dreaming that I was late to class or couldn’t find the class and remembered I didn’t study for the final. After another five years I stopped feeling like I should be studying on the weekends.  In April of 2004, I mustered the courage to leave the Indianapolis area.  Can you imagine moving a life-time rock collection?  I am living in Southern Indiana and working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Louisville and loving every minute.  I am married to a fellow IUPUI geology graduate, Rick Hockett.  Rick also works for the Corps.  We both love living in Southern Indiana.  The Harrison Crawford State Forest and the southern portion of the Hoosier National Forest are within a 20 minute drive.  There are wonderful trail systems and we plan on trekking on all of them.  We live in Harrison County on the eastern edge of the Mitchell Plain and pick up nice-sized Harrison County Chert nodules on our hikes to add to our “rock garden”.  Kids are all grown and married and I have five grandkids now, two in Florida and three in Indianapolis.  We live near the gambling boats so if you visit them you gotta stop by and see us.
[updated 05 JAN 2005]

Photo Needed! Mary Hoover
B.S., IUPUI, 1991

Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Office of Water Quality
Drinking Water Branch; Permit, Certification & Capacity Section
Capacity Development

Contact information
Phone: (317) 308-3393; 308-3318

[updated April 2005]

Mark Hopkins
B.A., Indiana University (IUPUI), 1990

[2004] Works for USGS

Photo Needed! Kevin Houppert
B.A., IUPUI, 1980

Indiana Department of Environmental Management
Science Services Branch, Geological Services Section

Contact information
Phone: (317) 234-0095

[updated April 2005]

Photo Needed! Rondall "Ron" Hudson
B.S., IUPUI, 1990
M.S., Institution, YEAR
Ph.D., Institution, YEAR

[updated April 2005]

Kristin Hughes
B.S., Mathematics, IUPUI, 2004
M.S., Geology, IUPUI, 2007

My thesis consisted of a petrologic and geochemical study of mantle xenoliths from Joshua Tree National Park in southern California. The basalt flows and dykes that brought up these xenoliths are very close to the San Andreas fault. I investigated the heterogeneity of the mantle, and on what scale.  I used many geochemical, petrologic, and statistical techniques to answer this question.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Andrew Barth

I
J
Catherine M Jamet
B.S., Dickinson College, 1999
M.S., Geology, IUPUI, 2002
Ph.D., Institution, YEAR

[2002] Research interests include the biogeography, speciation, and extinction of Triassic bryozoans.

Photo Needed! Cyndi Jones
B.S., IUPUI, 2000

Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Office of Land Quality

Contact information
E-mail: jonescyndi@sbcglobal.net

[updated Sep 2006]

K
Nicholas Kaufman
B.S., IUPUI Geology Department, 2004
Photo Needed! Karen Ann Koy
B.S., Bowling Green State University, 2001
M.S., Geology, IUPUI, 2003
Ph.D., Institution, YEAR

Interests: Paleobiology, sedimentology and taphonomy.  Pennsylvanian gastropods.

Natasha Kramer
B.A., IUPUI Geology Department, 1999
M.S., Geology, Northern Arizona University, 2004
M.A., Geography GIS/Remote Sensing, Northern Arizona University, 2006? (in Progress)

Geology Thesis: "Deposition, Resuspension, and Alteration of Colorado River Delta Sediments, Lake Powell, Utah"

Geography Thesis: "Using GIS to economically high-grade potential gas wells in the Washakie Basin, Southwest Wyoming" ....or something like that.

Employment:
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Houston, TX

Contact Info:
Work: natasha_kramer@anadarko.com
Home: natasha.kramer@gmail.com

Professional Interests: My interests vary from water quality and availability (especially in the arid southwest) to petroleum geology. I am currently developing natural gas resources in the Greater Green River Basin, Wyoming (via Houston) and find the work to be incredibly interesting. I am also continuing to work on a masters degree in Geography with an emphasis in G.I.S. and remote sensing.

Other interests include bluegrass music, backpacking/hiking, rock climbing, snow-boarding/skiing, photography, and I have currently taken up road-biking (though, still on my mountain bike), and alas, river-running, though I don't see that happening for a while, save for on a big inner-tube on the Guadalupe River. I also enjoy cooking.
[updated March 2005]

L

Mark Laidlaw
B.S., University of Dayton, 1993
M.S., IUPUI Geology Department, 2001

e-mail
personal: markas1968@gmail.com 

I am currently living in Sydney, Australia with my wife and 4.5 year old daughter. I am working as an environmental consultant. My family enjoys exploring Australia, bush-hiking and playing at the numerous beaches.  Since graduating, I have maintained an active role in researching children's exposure to lead in urban soils. My website is www.urbanleadpoisoning.com .

[updated June 2008]


Alaska
Nils "Buster" Landin
B.A. – Geology, IUPUI, 1999
Employment: USDA – Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
Interests: Fishing, Long walks off short docks, saying Shih Tzu, and trying to drive straight when checking out a road cut.

Contact information
E-mail: nils.landin@in.usda.gov
Phone: (317) 290 – 3200 ext. 391
Address: 6013 Lakeside Blvd. Indianapolis, Indiana, 46278

[2001] I have been working at NRCS since graduation. At NRCS I have worked on various aspects of creating soil maps for publication. I am currently the Digital Map Finishing Team Leader. Where I am responsible for the facilitation of Digital Map Finishing (DMF) soil survey projects for publication in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania using GIS. This includes the delivery and set up of DMF projects, AML development, and quality control. I use ArcGis 8.2 to accomplish this task.

Jennifer Latimer
B.S., Chemistry, Purdue University, 1995
M.S., Geology, IUPUI, 1998
Ph.D., Geology, IU/IUPUI, 2004

[2004]
Interests: Deep marine sedimentary records of paleoproductivity and climate change in the Southern Ocean
MS Thesis: Dust inputs and biogeochemical cycling in the Southern Ocean on glacial/interglacial time scales.

Faculty, Indiana State University.

Jason Russell Lederer
B.S.,  Union College (NY), 2001
M.S., Geology, IUPUI, 2003

Interests: My research is focused on characterizing tills deposited in the Ross Sea, Antarctica during the last glacial maximum.

Published Research:
Ice Jams inferred from tree scars made during the 1996 mid-winter flood on the Mohawk River (New York)

Photo Needed! Gregg LeMasters
B.A., IUPUI, 1976

Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Office of Water Quality
Drinking Water Branch; Ground Water Section; Wellhead Protection Program

Contact information
Phone: (317) 308-3327

[updated April 2005]

Photo Needed! Terry Leyenberger
B.S., IUPUI, 1977

Employment: CMS Oil and Gas, a subsidiary of CMS Energy

[updated 1999]  I have completed my 18th year as a petroleum geologist, and I still live in Houston, Texas.  From 1995 to 1998 I was working for Union Texas Petroleum. Unfortunately Union Texas was purchased by ARCO in June of 1998, and I was laid off.  I am currently working for CMS Oil and Gas, a subsidiary of CMS Energy, which is based in Michigan. I am a senior staff geologist responsible for identifying new exploration opportunities in North Africa, the Middle East, and Australia.  I have visited Perth, Australia and Rabat, Morocco.  During the last half of 1999 I also visited Tunis, Tunisia, and Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.  I enjoy the travel and chance to meet geologists from other cultures.  And on most of my trips I even manage to get into the field and look at rocks!

M

Photo Needed! Randal "Randy" Maier
B.S., Ball State, 1989
M.S., IUPUI Geology, 1996

Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water,
Technical Services Branch, Resource Assessment Section

Contact information
Phone: (317) 232-4160 main office line

Thesis: Genetic classification and correlation of pre-late Wisconsin glacial diamicts in east-central Indiana and west-central Ohio

[updated April 2005]

Photo Needed! Bob Martin
B.S., IUPUI, 1983

Indiana Department of Environmental Management
Permits Branch, Geology Section

Contact information
Phone: (317) 232-8727

[updated April 2005]

Photo Needed! Margaret M. "Peggy" (McGinnis) Fisherkeller
B.S., Institution, YEAR
M.S., IUPUI, 1999

Employment: Curator of Geology, Indiana State Museum
Thesis: New clues toward determination of larval type in Upper Ordovician trepostomata bryozoans from the Cincinnatian series, southeastern Indiana
Interests:

Contact information
Website: ISM Geology Curator
E-mail:

Phone:
Address:

Married Mark Fisherkeller (BS 200?) and has a little girl, Hazel.
[updated March 2005]

N

Cheryl Nazareth
B.S., Geology & Chemistry, University of Mumbai, India, 2002
M.S., Geology, IUPUI, 2007

Employment: type employer here
Thesis: Title here. Faculty Advisor: Gabe Filippelli.

Contact information
E-mail:
Phone:
Address:

Interests: My research focuses on studying the effect of atmospheric pollutants and hydrology on the degradation of panne vegetation by invasive species. Pannes are rare intradunal ponds that exhibit diverse ecosystems that are being threatened by encroaching anthropogenic activities. The pannes at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore are currently at risk. The cause for this degradation may be the result of accumulation of nitrogen and heavy metals from surrounding industries, or fluctuations in the lake levels of Lake Michigan. Geochemical studies have being conducted on sediment samples from several pannes at Indiana Dunes as well as several pannes in Michigan, which are being used as control sites. Results are presently being tied together so as to come up with a reason for the shift in vegetation.

[updated July 2006]

Jennifer A. (Sembach) Nelson
B.S., Geology, IUPUI, 2003
M.S., Geology, IUPUI, 2006

Employment: IUPUI Department of Earth Sciences
Thesis: Cyclic Deposition of Carbonate and Organic Matter in Holocene Lacustrine Sediment, Lower Michigan, USA.  Faculty Advisor: Kathy Licht.

Contact information
E-mail: jsembach@iupui.edu 
Phone: (317) 278-3958 (office)
Address:

SL 120, 274-7732, Lecturer, IUPUI Department of Earth Sciences
Interests: For my thesis, I analyzed lake cores from south central Michigan in order to characterize climatic changes in this region since the last glacial maximum. I used a variety of methods to measure changes in organic matter, carbonate material, phosphorus, and metals through time. Special attention was given to the past 2000 years of the record to determine the impact of anthropogenic disturbance in the region, including changes caused by landscape disturbances and pollution. This research will help to fill gaps in the climate change record for this part of the Midwestern United States as well as provide information on past climates that can be used for models of future climate change.

I have 2 dogs, Joey and Laura, who occupy a lot of my home time (along with my husband, of course!), and we all spend a majority of our free time in the summer at the houseboat in Kentucky, and we like to go snowboarding in the winter, and I also enjoy photography, I’ve just started getting into digital photography. I also volunteer for a golden retriever rescue organization (GRRACE), mainly maintaining their website, transporting dogs and helping with fundraisers

[updated SEP 2006]

Mona Nemecek
B.A., Indiana University (IUPUI), 1974

[2006] Works for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources

O
James Oblack
B.A., Geology (Art minor), IUPUI, 1976

Employment: Owner, James Oblack Gallery
Address: Nashville, Indiana

[2004] James has been attending art fairs since 1977, spending many weekends showing his art and winning awards.  In 1997, he was featured in the Artist Magazine (Cincinnati).  He now owns his own gallery in Nashville, Indiana.
[information from the Brown County Democrat, May 5, 2004, p. A9, by Marty Burton]

Michael A. O'Neal
B.A., Anthropology, Indiana University, Bloomington, 1993
M.S., Geology, IUPUI, 1998
Ph.D., Earth and Space Sciences, Univ. Of Washington, in progress

Research Scientist, Pacific Northwest Center for Geologic Mapping Studies (GeoMapNW)
Assistant to the Editor, Quaternary Research

Contact information
Webpage at GeoMapNW
 
maoneal@u.washington.edu
Department of Earth and Space Sciences, Box 351310
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195

Phone (206) 685-2653
Fax (206) 685-2821

[updated April 2005]

Photo Needed! Ryan Orzechowicz
B.S., IUPUI, 2006?

Employment: QEPI
Thesis: Title
Interests: Diving

Contact information
E-mail: 
Phone:
 

[updated April 2007]

P
Emerson Palmer
B.A., Geology, IUPUI, 2005
M.S., Earth Sciences, IUPUI, in progress

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kathy Licht

My undergraduate research involved the petrography and geochemistry of granitic plutons in Joshua Tree National Park in relation to the tectonic history of the Mohave desert and southern California. My graduate research is attempting to trace glacial sediment transported by Antarctica's Byrd Glacier into the Ross Sea embayment using sand petrography, Uranium/Lead age dating of detrital zircons, and particle size analysis. The data collected will help constrain the Byrd Glacier's paleo-flow during the last glacial maximum which will assist glaciologists in constraining reconstructive and predictive models of ice-sheet flow from East and West Antarctica into the Ross Sea.

Photo Needed! Brian Pace
B.S., IUPUI Geology, 1998

currently employed at SIECO

Photo Needed! Chad Pigg

Research interest is developing techniques for in situ remediation of groundwater contamination

Q
R
Robyn Raftis
B.A., Geology, IUPUI, 2001
M.S., Geology, IUPUI, 2005

Employment: IDEM
Thesis: Title
Faculty Advisor: Gabe Filippelli.

Contact information
E-mail: rratkins@iupui.edu
Phone:
Address:

My current research focuses on phosphorus and metal biogeochemical cycling in soils and lake sediments in urban environments. Additional research interests include wildlife habitat management and restoration in residential areas, human health and geology, and the scientist's role in public policy and education regarding climate change and environmental protection. I just finished working at Grand Teton National Park for the summer; ask me how to find work with the National Park Service.

[updated SEP 2006]

S
Photo Needed! John Schilling
B.S., IUPUI Geology Department, 1998

Now working at ARCADIS G&M (formerly Geraghty and Miller)

  Jennifer A. Sembach, see Jennifer A. Nelson
Lora K. Shrake
A.S.B.A., Lake Land Community College, Mattoon, IL, 1993
B.S., Geography, minor in Environmental Health, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, 1995
M.S., Geology, IUPUI, 2002

Thesis: Wetland and Estuarine Hydrologic Properties in Southwest Florida, USA
Employment:
 
[2001]Teaching Assistant, IUPUI [2004] Staff, Center for Earth and Environmental Science, IUPUI
Interests:
Research interest is science supporting wetland restoration efforts, with emphasis on sediment and groundwater geochemistry of coastal wetlands in south Florida.
 

Photo Needed! Lynette L. deSilva
B.S., City University of New York, 1982
M.S., Indiana University, 2000

Thesis: Is there strong evidence supporting natural attenuation of chlorinated solvents at the Uniontown landfill?

Interests: Natural attenuation of hydrocarbon contamination in groundwater

Rebecca Sengpiel
B.S,  Geology, University of the Pacific, 2004
M.S., Earth Sciences, IUPUI, 2007

Thesis: Title
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Lin Li

Contact information
Employment: type employer here
E-mail:

Phone:
Address:

Interests: My Master's research was in the subject of remote sensing. Historically, cyanobacterial blooms in Central Indiana drinking water reservoirs have contributed to drinking water use impairment by causing aesthetic degradation (taste and odor) and potential toxicity. Monitoring of cyanobacteria blooms and the conditions that foster bloom formation via in-situ water sampling is both time and labor intensive, and often limited to infrequent collections at a small number of stations within a lake or reservoir. My project used airborne hyperspectral remote sensing to detect photosynthetic pigments (Chlorophyll a and Phycocyanin) of the bacteria, allowing the identification of their spatial distribution and concentration. The success of this research provides an important mapping tool for water resource managers.

Sara Slater-Atwater
B.S,  Indiana University, 2000
M.S., Geology, IUPUI, 2004

Thesis: Lake records of continental weathering processes, nutrient cycling, and climate change in British Columbia

Contact information
Employment: type employer here
E-mail:

Phone:
Address:

Andrew Smith
B.S., Geology, University of Southern Indiana, 2004
M.S., Geology, IUPUI, 2006

Employment: Terracon Consultants
Thesis: Title
Dissertation: Title

As of Feb, 2007, I am doing Phase I and II environmental site assessments and some geotechnical work for Terracon Consultants.

Contact information
E-mail:
Phone:
Address:

Interests: My graduate research focused on determining if wetland restoration efforts have been successful by examining high-resolution water table data from Starling Nature Sanctuary. I also determined the sources of water to that wetland complex to determine if ground water seeps in the area are significant contributors to the system. In general, my research interests include hydrology and hydrogeology, both chemical and physical. Faculty Advisor: Phillip Vidon.

[updated July 2006]

Photo Needed! Ralph Spaeth
B.A., IUPUI, 1993

Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water
Technical Services Branch, Water Rights/Use Section

Contact information
Phone: (317) 232-4160 main office line

[updated April 2005]

Photo Needed! Louis "Louie" Stratigakos
B.S., IUPUI, 

D. S. Painting
844-2187

Photo Needed! Kevin Strunk
B.S., IUPUI, 1981; MS in Geology, Southern Illinois University, 1984.

Employment: Wabash Resources and Consulting, Inc.
e-mail:
kstrunk@indy.net

During the fall of 1999 and the spring of 2000, I celebrated various 15 year anniversaries related to my consulting practice, Wabash Resources and Consulting, Inc. The last 15 years have been very interesting in geology, with major changes from oil and mining to environmental geology and hydrogeology. I am still married to Jeanette, with three kids and one cat.

[updated 2000]

Photo Needed! Larry Studebaker
B.S., Institution, YEAR
M.S., IUPUI, 1989

Indiana Department of Environmental Management
Science Services Branch, Geological Services Section

Contact information
Phone: (317) 234-0991

[updated April 2005]

T
U
V
W

Arenal Volcano
Costa Rica
Laura Wagner
B.S. Geology, Wisconsin, 2004
Final Year, SL 032, 278-0133
Thesis Defended 22 AUG 2007

My research objective is to determine variations in nitrate, soluble reactive phosphorus, and dissolved organic carbon concentration in two first order watersheds (agricultural and residential) during spring and summer storm events and to identify nutrient specific export pathways. Two independent techniques are used to determine nutrient specific flow paths: the 18-O method and the major cation method. Identifying changes in water sources during events using two independent approaches in relation to nutrient export patterns allows for a better characterization of nutrient export processes in the two watersheds. This work will aid in the development of nutrient export models for agricultural and developing areas of the Midwest.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Philippe Vidon
Joseph Woods, III
B.A., IUPUI, 1992

Working Group Leader
Indiana Department of Environmental Management
Office of Land Quality
Permits Branch, Geology Section

Contact information
Phone: (317) 232-8722
jwoods@dem.state.in.us
L.P.G.# 1895

Well I'm working at IDEM where I have been employed since I left IUPUI in 1992. Much of my work involves ground water flow, and ground water monitoring. I do get to do some stratigraphy and geochemistry work in this job too. Best of all is I get to do a lot of geomorph work. Specifically I get to work with karst terrains, and ground water monitoring in karst. Then there are the whole assorted stuff bout shuffling paper and doing statistics (I'm still trying to determine which I detest more).

On the personal life front: Many of you may remember my older daughter who just turned 16 this year, as she was around when I was in school the last two years. The younger one is 5. I am getting remarried in September. She is a beautiful caring individual that has no clue what a geologist does. But she likes my home collection of fossils so she is in for a treat!!! As a second job I am a basketball referee. As if I did not have enough people that want to yell at me already!!

[updated April 2005]

Photo Needed! Lorraine Wright
B.A., IUPUI, 1991

Indiana Department of Environmental Management
Science Services Branch, Applied Science Technology Section

Contact information
Phone: (317) 234-0618

[updated April 2005]

X
Y
Photo Needed! Mike Yarling
B.A., IUPUI, 1984
M.S., IUPUI, 1996

Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Office of Water Quality
Drinking Water Branch; Ground Water Section; Wellhead Protection Program

Contact information
Phone: (317) 308-3330

[updated April 2005]

Z
Photo Needed! David J. Zbieszkowski
B.S., Institution, YEAR
M.S., IUPUI, 1999

Employment: August Mack Environmental, Inc
Thesis: Characterization and interpretation of the Sangamon soil and other late-Pleistocene paleosols in central Indiana
Interests:

Contact information
E-mail: davidz@augustmack.com 
Phone:
Address:

Kathy and I are still married with 3 boys.

  Steve Zins
B.S., Ball State University
M.S., IUPUI, 1995

Contact information
E-mail:
szins@rouxinc.com
Phone:
Address:
 

Photo Needed! Name: Ted Furp
B.S., IUPUI, 1986?
M.S., Institution, YEAR
Ph.D., Institution, YEAR

Employment: Independent Contractor
Thesis: Title
Dissertation: Title
Interests: travel, camping, photography

Contact information
E-mail: userid@service.net
Phone: (555) 833-3877 (mobile)
Address: I'm a ramblin' man, all I have is a phone, whatever rock I lay my head on is home.

Text here

[updated April 2005]

IUPUI Department of Earth Sciences
723 West Michigan Street, SL118
Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
317.274.7484
(fax) 317.274.7966