Major and Concentration
Geological Science Major; Environmental Sustainability Concentration
Tell us about your current title and role. What are you responsible for day to day?
I am currently a 3rd year PhD candidate at Georgia Institute of Technology advised by Dr. Frances Rivera-Hernández. My general research focuses on using experimental and field analogs for sediment-rich flow environments and processes on Mars (i.e. alluvial fans and debris flows). As a student researcher my days are filled with balancing classwork, literature reviews, and research. If I’m not working on homework or a class project, I am in our research groups computer lab processing data from the past two years or collecting preliminary data for an upcoming field season. When collecting the data for my research, my days are filled with lots of travel.
For my experimental research, I am afforded the chance to travel to the Open University Hypervelocity laboratory in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, during the summer break. Their facilities house a low-pressure chamber large enough to fit table-sized flow experiments within, in which I can conduct multiple experimental runs to analyze on my later return to Georgia Tech’s campus. My field work consists of collecting thermal images of the surface to map out the sedimentological characteristics for the surfaces of sediment-rich flows, most of which can be found in arid regions like the deserts of California.
What attracted you to Salem State’s Geological Science program?
I was really impressed by the extensive classes that the Salem State Geological Science program had to offer. At the time when I was searching for schools with Earth Science degrees, most are focused mainly on Environmental Science degrees and classes that were more geared toward atmospheric and soil science. I was truly overjoyed to see that Salem State University still had a largely geology and hard rock core major that focused on a lot of the Earth Science topics I enjoy.
What skills did you learn as a Geological Sciences major?
I acquired a multitude of skills covering a range of geological, earth, and environmental science topics. I learned the basic core geology skills of how to identify and label rocks from the three main groups, and how to discern the mineral components most commonly associated with those groups. I learned how to use Brunton and Silva compasses to measure the orientation, and angle (i.e. strike & dip and trend & plunge) of various rock features. The previous skills were later applied together in the field to help identify the geological history of an area, which developed field and mapping skills.
Within the classrooms, more laboratory and instrument skills were acquired withing using stereo and polarizing microscopes. I gained skills in knowing how to create and develop thin sections starting from a whole rock. I learned how to analyze geophysical data and use equipment like a gradiometer, a GPR, geophones, bottom-scan sonar, and a side-scan sonar. I also developed proficient skills in technical writing, conducting research, creating research posters, and writing a thesis paper.
What did you most enjoy about studying Geological Sciences at Salem State?
I enjoyed the department’s open and friendly community. The smaller department size provided a welcoming environment, in which I always felt comfortable reaching out for extra help whenever necessary, whether it be from a fellow peer, or a professor.
How did your time at Salem State prepare you for life after graduation?
I was better prepared to conduct independent research projects in life after graduation. I also gained enough valuable skills to conduct field research regarding notetaking, preparation, organization, etc. I was also better prepared for my graduate skills and was able to transfer concepts learned in my undergraduate classes to my graduate classes.
What advice would you give students interested in Geological Sciences at Salem State?
Don’t take your position as a student for granted, now is the best time to utilize all of the tools, instruments, software, and programs that the department has to offer.
I am so grateful and appreciative of having the wonderful opportunity to get my B.S. degree in the Geological Science Dept. at SSU!