I am a first year graduate student in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Wyoming working under Dr. Brad Carr. Currently, I am pursuing a master's degree in geophysics focused on defining the permeability controls within the Casper aquifer using near-surface geophysics.
The Casper Aquifer is the source of over 55 percent of the drinking water for the residents of the Laramie area. Keeping the municipal water source free from contamination has been a focus of many studies funded by the city of Laramie and county of Albany. The Casper Aquifer Protection Plan identifies the region most vulnerable to contamination as the unconfined section of the aquifer, which extends from just east of Laramie up to the Sherman Hills Summit in the Laramie Range.
Of major concern is the Interstate 80 corridor, which passes through this unconfined section of the aquifer. To better define the permeability controls on this section of the aquifer, the city and county jointly commissioned an airborne electromagnetic geophysical survey, SkyTEM. With this data, I hope to propose both a geologic model of the aquifer and a groundwater flow model that the city and county can use to simulate how spills on the highway might affect the city well fields.
M.S. GeophysicsExpected 2021
University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
Advisor: Dr. Bradley Carr
B.A. PhysicsMay 2016
Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA
GPA: 3.52/4.00
Advisor: Dr. Charles Cunningham
Wind River Wilderness CourseJune 2011
National Outdoor Leadership School, Wind River Mountains, WY
Graduate Research AssistantMay 2019 - Present
University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
Assist with Electrical Resistivity, Refraction Seismic, Ground Penetration Radar, Transient Electromagnetics, Magnetics, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance surveys for the University of Wyoming Near Surface Geophysics Instrumentation Center (UWNSG). Through this experience I have gained a broader knowledge of how deploying multiple geophysical methods at one site can increase certainty in model interpretations.
(Contact: Dr. Bradley Carr, bcarr1@uwyo.edu)
Vice President of Graduate and Undergraduate Students in HydrologySeptember 2019 - Present
University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
Staff GeophysicistJuly 2017 – June 2019
Green Geophysics, Inc. Continental United States
Installed, maintained, and extracted magnetotelluric equipment for both the USArray EarthScope and MOCHA (Magnetotelluric Observations of Cascadia using a Huge Array) surveys to study the electrical conductivity structure of the crust and mantle. Responsible for managing magnetotelluric data for analysis, making in-field decisions on data quality, and coordinating timing and access to sites while keeping track of up to ten stations at a time. This job taught me the importance of balancing the need for quality data with keeping project costs low.
(Contact: Dr. Louise Pellerin, pellerin@greengeophysics.com)
Summer of Applied Geophysical Experience (SAGE)June – July 2017
Summer of Applied Geophysical Experience (SAGE), Santa Fe, NM
Used reflection/refraction seismic, magnetotelluric, electromagnetic, ground penetrating radar, gravity and magnetic field instruments. Processed and modeled magnetotelluric data with WinGLink to determine the structure under the Valles Caldera. Through modeling this data, I was able to see a possible melt zone and a major fault along the edge of the Caldera. This experience taught me the significance of understanding the geological context for making interpretations of geophysical models.
Undergraduate ResearcherJune – August 2015
Southern California Earthquake Center and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Analyzed data from 2014 Oklahoma earthquakes using Seismic Analysis Code (SAC) to detect new earthquakes and expand the earthquake catalog using a waveform matching technique to assist in the research of “Systematic Detection of Microearthquakes around the World.” Through working with Dr. Peng and his graduate student I learned the value of collaborative scientific research.
Teaching Assistant, General Physics I & IIAugust 2014 – May 2015
Physics Department,Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA
Assisted thirty students with their in-class assignments and homework
Undergraduate ResearcherMay – July 2014
University of Iowa Physics and Astronomy Department, Iowa City, IA
Collected and graphed data using Python to improve the alignment system on a gamma ray telescope. Collaborated with Dr. Kaaret’s graduate student to design, order parts, and build a test platform for alignment system.
Catering AssistantDecember 2016 – April 2017
The Catering Studio, Wellington, New Zealand
Rotating StaffMay – September 2016
Shadowcliff Mountain Lodge, Grand Lake, CO
Grocery Store CashierAugust 2015 – May 2016
McNally’s, Grinnell, IA
Trip LeaderSeptember 2013 – May 2016
Grinnell Outdoor Recreation Program, Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA
Acquired funding, planned and organized camping trips around the country for up to ten Grinnell students, arranging transportation, lodging, meals, and daily schedules.
Department Grader, General Physics I & IIAugust 2013 – May 2014
Physics Department,Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA
Peer-Reviewed:
Griffiths, S.T., Kaaret, P., Smith, E.: An autocollimator alignment system for a Schwarzschild-Couder Cherenkov telescope. Exp. Astron. 42, 1-10 (2016). doi:10.1007/s10686-016-9497-y
Barker, J., Daneshvar, S., Langhans, A., Okorie,C., Parapuzha,A., Perez, N., Turner, A., Smith, E., Carchedi, C., Creighton, A., Folsom, M., Bedrosian, P.A., Pellerin, L., Feucht, D.W., Kelly, S., Ferguson, J.F., and McPhee, D. (2017), Multi‐scale, multi‐method geophysical investigations of the Valles Caldera, Abstract GP33A‐0956 presented at 2017 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, New Orleans, LA, 9-13 Dec.
Meng, X., Daniels, C., Smith, E., Peng, Z., Chen, X., Wagner, L., Fisher, K., and Hawman, R. (2015), Statistical discrimination of induced and tectonic earthquake sequences in Central and Eastern US based on waveform detected catalogs, Abstract S13B-2851 presented at 2015 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, 14-18 Dec.
Southern California Earthquake Center/SURE Internship GrantJune 2015
Funding for Summer Undergraduate Research Experience at Georgia Institute of Technology
Brewster H. Woodburn '29 Physics Summer Internship GrantApril 2014
Funding from Grinnell College for University of Iowa Summer Research Experience
Midwest Conference Academic All Conference
Midwest Conference, NCAA Division III
Varsity Women's SoccerFall 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Varsity Women's Track & FieldSpring 2013, 2014, 2015
Python, C, AWK, GIS ArcMap, Mathematica
Society of Exploration Geophysicists2016 - Present
American Geophysical Union2016 - Present
