Ben Slotnick
Paleontology/Paleoclimatology

I love the outdoors so much so that animals, plants, mountains, lakes and every other beautiful feature on this planet led to my original interest in rocks (aka: geology). Since this first step, I have become increasingly interested in paleoclimatology using past fossilized remains of critters to tell us a ton of information about how climates have evolved through time (both across abrupt transitions and over longer term cyclical patterns).

Advisor Stephen Schellenberg

Thesis Biotic Response of Tethyan Bathyal Ostracodes Across the Eocene-Oligocene Transition

Interests - Research Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology with an emphasis in the climatic, chemical, and biological evolution of the Cenozoic. Relating how decreasing pCO2 in the Eocene may have partially caused the first significant Cenozoic continental glaciation of Antarctica across the Eocene-Oligocene boundary is quite interesting. I am also interested in Micropaleontology and Sedimentology.

Interests - Personal Light weight backpacking/trekking, punk rock, ska music, baseball (go giants), football (go niners), ice hockey (go sharks), being oh so social and talkative, skiing (both snow and water), and talking to myself occasionally. Did I mention I like beaches?

Honors and Awards SDSU International Travel Grant, Frank Livermore Trust College Scholarship awarded to Eagle Scout Recipients of merit

Undergraduate Degree B.S. General Geology, from University of California-Davis, Winter 2006. My Senior Thesis: High-Resolution 13C, 15N, and 18O Stable Isotope Stratigraphy from Cañon de Huasteca and Potrero Garcia Stratigraphic Sections and 13C and 18O from Santa Rosa Stratigraphic Section, Sierra Madre Oriental, northeastern Mexico: Isolating Precise Locations of OAE 1a and 1b from the Mid-Cretaceous

Michael O'Hare
Geology

I am a second year Master's student specializing in hydrogeology. Aside from reading far too much Edward Abbey and John McPhee, I originally became a geology student when I took a fractured rock mechanics course at the University of Texas. After that I took as many geology courses as I could fit into my engineering curriculum (and some that I couldn't). While stationed at North Island, I checked out field trips from the library and did them in my spare time in order to learn California Geology.
I am currently researching three-dimensional modeling of hydrogeologic flow properties in a fault-bounded system. Specifically, I am looking at how the faults associated with the graben structure in the Alquist-Priolo area of eastern downtown San Diego affect the flow properties of permeable strata within the Bay Point Formation. This graben structure is thought to represent an extension of the Florida Canyon fault (sometimes called Powerhouse Canyon) and the broader Rose Canyon Fault system. Strands of the Rose Canyon system are intermittently mapped throughout the downtown area, but recent slip and overall slip rates are not well quantified along these strands. Thorough modeling and representation of the subsurface hydrogeology and stratigraphy in the downtown area will allow better understanding of the tectonic structure of the Rose Canyon system and how it interacts with groundwater flow and transport. Also, this will hopefully be a defensible thesis and allow me to graduate.
I've also done recent work on the San Jacinto Fault Zone in eastern San Diego and western Imperial Counties.
I am currently working as a staff hydrogeologist for Hargis and Associates in Mission Valley. I am also active in the Navy Reserves.

Advisor Kathy Thorbjarnarson and Tom Rockwell

Thesis Three-dimensional modeling of hydrogeologic flow properties in a fault-bounded system; Alquist-Priolo, San Diego

Interests physical hydrogeology, neotectonics, subsurface transport of organic contaminants, soil and rock mechanics, foundation design, teaching, books, art, skiing, belgian beer

Honors and Awards BSE from University of Texas at Austin (1996), concentration in Geotechnical engineering

Undergraduate Degree BSE from University of Texas at Austin (1996), concentration in Geotechnical engineering

Michelle Dooley
Volcanology

I chose geology as a major when I realized I could actually figure out the answers to questions like “How did this mountain/desert/volcano get here?” Since then, I have also realized that geology is not just a major, but a way of life. I am especially interested in the tectonomagmatic evolution of the northwestern U.S., and by examining the petrology and stratigraphy of my current field area, I will soon contribute a great story that covers the last 20 million years of one of the most beautiful places in the world—the seemingly barren and desolate Oregon Plateau. My Masters thesis is a continuation of my undergraduate work, and I chose to study here with Dr. Camp because he is the only other person I have ever met who knows where my field area is, and because we both believe in the importance of field work.

Advisor Dr. Vic Camp

Thesis Geologic mapping and petrochemical stratigraphy across the Warner Valley, Southern Oregon

Honors and Awards USGS EDMAP grant recipient 2006-2007, National Park Service Paleontology Internship 2001-2002, HSU Geologist of the Year Award 2000

Undergraduate Degree Humboldt State University, 2003, B.S. Geology

Carrie Tyler
Paleontology

I've wanted to be a paleontologist since I can remember! Once I began taking classes, I fell in love with invertebrate marine paleoecology, which synthesises my love for marine life with my worship of rocks and fossils.

Advisor Dr. Lindsey Leighton

Thesis A morphometric approach to competition in Ordovician brachiopods.

Research Interests Marine invertebrate evolutionary paleoecology, macroscale patterns and functional morphology.

Personal Interests Sailing, archery, surfing and scuba diving.

Honors and Awards San Diego State University Equity Fellowship,Friday Harbor Laboratories Fellowship, SDSU Women’s Association Scholarship, Lerner-Gray Fund for Marine Research (American Museum of Natural History) Grant.

Undergraduate Degree University of Colorado at Boulder, 2000.

Zach Rayburn
Depositional Systems

I particularly enjoy reading rocks and developing multiple interpretations for how they came to be positioned and deformed. As an economist I also take great interest in understanding how energy, in all its forms, affects individuals and economies throughout the world.

Advisor Dr. Gary Girty

Thesis Testing the idea that chemical weathering of amphibole and biotite are largely responsible for the production of saprolite in the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve. I'm studying the textural and chemical properties of saprolite to contribute insight into the first step in the development of a sand grain

Research Interests Structure, sedimentology and depositional systems.

Personal Interests Photography, cycling, bowling, soccer, cooking, traveling Spanish speaking countries, following the Indianapolis Colts and Indiana University basketball.

Undergraduate Degree BA Economics, Indiana University Undergraduate geology course work from Indiana University and Texas State University

Heather Ford
Paleoclimatology

I originally became interested in paleoclimates because I found it fascinating that scientists could utilize critters that had lived millions of years ago to reconstruct past oceanographic and climate changes. Essentially, paleoclimates is the perfect hybrid of my personal interests in the geologic past and marine life.

Advisor Dr. Stephen Schellenberg

Thesis Evaluating the robustness of Mytilus californianus skeletal chemistry as an paleoenvironmental archive: Effects of microenvironment and ontogeny

Interests paleoclimates, paleontology, rocks, geology, marine life, bad music, singing, swimming, reading, amusing myself, women's health, volunteering at Planned Parenthood, Scrubs marathons, and dim sum

Undergraduate Degree B.S. Geology, high honors, University of California, Davis 2000-2004

Honors/Awards GSA Student Grant 2004, Geological Sciences Department Exxon Mobil Fellowship 2004-2005, Attended Urbino Summer School in Paleoclimatology 2005

Matt Stillings
Neotectonics

Advisor Dr. Tom Rockwell & Dr. Gary Girty

Thesis Effects of Wall Rock Anisotropy on the Development of Fault Zone Damage: Holistic understanding of physical and chemical properties of fault damage zones is yet unrealized. My primary purpose is to fully characterize shattered granite and metamorphic rocks transected by a segment of the San Jacinto fault zone. My approach will involve major and trace element analysis, thin-section density, particle size analysis, and geophysical data. -This is what I have put on my resume. However, my thesis changes daily!

Interests - Personal My beautiful wife, camping, wakeboarding, rocks, sports, beer, all things ocean, and of course all my wonderful friends.

Undergraduate Degree B.S. Geology from Texas Christian University (home of Ladainian Tomlinson- Go Frogs!)

Honors/Awards 2006 Chevron Scholarship recipient
President, SDSU Chapter of American Association of Petroleum Geologists

Elizabeth Landau
Paleontology

I like to ask questions, solve problems, and I think the earth is a fascinating thing. Studying geology is a way for me to do all of this.

Advisor Dr. Stephen Schellenberg
Thesis I'm stuyding faunal and geochemical changes of ostracodes (tiny arthropods) through the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum, a time of rapid climate warming. This information will help determine the extent and severity of the climate change.
Interests - Research Paleoclimatology, Paleontology, Sedimentology
Interests - Personal Music, design, reading, knitting, cooking, snowboarding, surfing, lacrosse.
Undergraduate Degree B.S. Geological Sciences, from the University of Southern California, May 2004.
Honors/Awards SDSU travel grant, Sigma Gamma Epsilon geology honors society member (USC chapter), National Society of Collegiate Scholars member (USC chapter)

Jennifer Perez
General Geology

I’m just a girl from a (very) small town in Northern California trying to see what the world is all about. Geology has taken me everywhere, from coral reefs in Jamaica to volcanoes in Costa Rica to orogenic processes in India. Studying geology never fails to be an exciting adventure and some day soon I’ll be getting paid for it.

Advisor Dr. Eric Frost
Thesis Petrochemistry, Geochronology, and Tectonogenetic Evolution of the Southern Mountains, East-Central Java, Indonesia
Interests - Research I enjoy studying volcanoes and volcanic arcs, those active now and those long since extinct that have eroded down to small outcrops deep in the jungles of Java.
Interests - Personal Hiking, backpacking, scuba diving, hanging out at the beach, going on vacation, taking the salsa and merengue dance world by storm.
Undergraduate Degree BS Geology, Baylor University, Texas, 2002, bachelor’s thesis involved studying the geochemistry of Middle Sister Volcano, Central Oregon.
Honors/Awards Scripps Cruise Oct 2005, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

Department Volunteers - Fall 2005

We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give.

Thank you to all our student volunteers for making us a stronger department for the University and the Community.

Tim Middleton
Neotectonics

I chose Geology as a major because I love to get dirty and play with rocks while still being accepted within my major.

Advisor Dr. Tom Rockwell
Thesis Tectonic Geomorphology and Paleoseismicity of the Clark Strand of the Southern San Jacinto Fault Zone, Clark Lake, California.
Interests - Research Worked in San Juan Argentina Summer 2005 - a La Laja Fault Paleoseismic Study. Currently I am the "trench keeper" at Hog Lake - a San Jacinto Fault Paleoseismic Study. Soon to start Thesis at Clark Lake - a tectonic geomorphology and paleoseismic study on the San Jacinto Fault.
Undergraduate Degree Graduated UCSB 2004, BS Geological Sciences
Worked on Methane Duffusion in the water column within the Santa Baraba Basin

Matthew Sisk
Neotectonics

So, I drove to San Diego from New Jersey, with my wife Rebecca, about 1 week after we got married, and a year later was accepted to graduate school at San Diego State University...who would have thought. I was unsure of what exactly I wanted focus on and who I wanted to work with. I met with a few professors and entertained a few ideas but it wasn't until a gentleman pulled me aside and asked me where my interests lied that I found a home... NEOTECTONICS! Best decision I ever made.
Thesis Pulverized Granitic Rocks Along the Garlock Fault: A Complete Chemical and Physical Analysis
Powdered rock, especially of a granitic composition, along active fault zones, has been observed in many locales in southern California, as well as Israel and other places around the world. Recently this same observation was made during a consulting project, at which several trenches were opened along the Garlock fault. This study is on an outcrop of the Tejon Lookout Granite, along a stretch of the fault, at Tejon Ranch, CA. These rocks, as seen in trench outcrops, seem to be powdered or "pulverized" as we might like to say, and our purpose is to determine if this is due to some process of mechanical fragmentation during slip along the fault. To substantiate this we are performing several detailed analysis: a major and trace element analysis, thin section, particle size distribution, bulk and grain density, among others. This is the most extensive study of this type ever performed for this purpose. We hope to say definitively, that these powdered rocks ARE in this state due to some sort of energy release during slip on the Garlock fault and are not affected by any major weathering process. EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE BABY!
As a brilliant man once said to me..."This is cutting edge stuff!"
Advisor Dr. Tom Rockwell
Interests - Research Field geology & active tectonics...nothing like seeing a giant crack in the ground that runs as far as the eye can see.
Interests - Personal The restaurant business...it is about the hustle, the people, the energy, the wine and most of all the THE FOOD!
Undergraduate Degree B.A. Geological Sciences, New Jersey City University, Jersey City, NJ

Jenny Duncan
Geology/Geochemistry

You know when you’re a little kid and you get that new box of crayons… none of them are broken, they’re all in order, and nobody knows that you’ve got them, so you don’t have to share… that’s what it feels like for me when I’m looking at rocks. Ahh…. so happy. I like homework too. You may not want to come by my cubicle, it doesn’t wash off easily

Thesis A comparitive U-Pb zircon study of clast crystallization ages involving the lawsonite blueschist conglomerate from the low-grade units of the Catalina Schist and that present in the Trabuco Fm (Silverado Canyon - Santa Ana mountains). If I feel like it.
Advisor Dr. David Kimbrough
Interests - Research Geochemistry and subduction zones, Show Me Geology
Interests - Personal FOOD (especially cheesecake), science fiction movies and animation, hanging out with my 5 cats and hubby of 10 years, Russian Impressionist art exhibits, and music (playing and listening--- although I’m a much better listener, the playing rather sucks.)
Undergraduate Degree B.A., UCSD; Teaching credentials, SDSU
Awards Does Dean’s List count? I didn’t get anything for it. Couldn’t they pay for books or something if we get good grades? REVOLT!!

Danielle Verdugo
Neotectonics / Quaternary Geology
T.A. Geochemistry
R.A. Vertical Motion Map of S. California

I’m a geology major because nothing is more gratifying than a career outdoors. Especially on active fault zones in the blistering desert during the middle of the summer.

Thesis Paleoseismic history of the Coyote Creek segment of the southern San Jacinto Fault zone at Ocotillo Wells and the slip history at Carrizo Wash.
Advisor Tom Rockwell
Interests Interest? No time for interest! But, I use to enjoy hiking, camping, playing guitar, traveling to Argentina, and playing with my cat, Gabbro.
Undergraduate Degree
B.S. in Geological Sciences from San Diego State University, 2004 – Future resolution of the past earthquake history at Carrizo Wash, southern San Jacinto Fault zone.
Awards
Numerous SCEC internships, 2003-2005
Graduated with honors 2004
Outstanding Geology Student, Fullerton College, 2002. Awarded $1,000 scholarship

Jared Marske
Isotope Geology

I am a geology major because nothing is more gratifying than a career outdoors. Plus I still get excited when I pick up rocks, score!

Thesis I am studying a suite of 25 prehistoric basaltic lava flows from Uwekahuna Bluff, Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii. By analyzing these lavas for Pb, Sr and Nd isotopes and major- and trace- elements, I can understand the compositional origin and evolution of these lavas from the mantle source region to the surface . On a broad scale, I am trying to decipher the melting dynamics and fluxuations in mantle source compositon (for Uwekahuna Bluff lavas) within the Hawaiian mantle plume.
Advisor Aaron Pietruszka
Interests Physical volcanology, mountain biking, rock climbing, curling, listening to Motley Crue, and underwater pumpkin carving.
Undergraduate Degree
B.S. in Geological Sciences from University of California at Santa Barbara in March 2003.
Awards
GSA graduate grant ($1900) for my isotopic analyses, Jan. 2004
AGU travel grant ($1000) to attend a volcano conference (IAVCEI) in Chile, Nov. 2004