Bureau-supported Alumni

We are a research and service division of:

(In alphabetical order by last name. )

Institution:

Advisor: (last name)

Grad Year:

Degree:

NMBGMR Scholarships:
Bright Star Kottlowski

Name: (last)

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The 228 former students listed below were supported by the bureau, through our role as advisors or committee members, with financial resources, and/or with field logistical resources. Links to theses and dissertations are provided, where available.

Pedro Acosta-Gongora

Masters — 2010, Mineral Engineering, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Sulfide paragenesis and metal zoning of Cuatro, Alianza and Llacsacocha vein structures, Huarón district, central Peruvian Andes

Advisors:

Chavez, Lueth, Mojtabai

Pedro completed his Ph.D. at the University of Alberta and the carried out post doctoral research at Natural Resources Canada in Alberta before accepting a geochemist position at the Geological Survey of Norway.
Maqsood Ali

Masters (IS) — 1983, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Small scale permeability heterogeneities: A correlative study of permeability and corresponding pore morphologies using minipermeameter and petrographic analysis

Advisors:

Broadhead, Mozley, Johnson, Heller

PhD — 1997, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Improved geological characterization of old hydrocarbon fields with sparse control points: A case study from the Sulimar Queen field, southeast New Mexico

Advisors:

Mozley, Chawathé, Ouenes, Heller, Johnson, Gutjahr, Phillips

Maqsood became a project manager and data integrator for Schlumberger. He specializes in fractured fairways and fracture prospect identification and fracture modeling of the lower Jurassic carbonates in northeast Saudi Arabia.
Jose F. Alberto Amarante

Masters — 2001, Geology,

Thesis:

Characterization of the Basement Rocks in the Mescalero 1 Well, Guadalupe County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Heizler, ?
Daniel Amoakoh

Masters — 2010, Mineral Engineering, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geological modeling and resource estimation, mineralogy, and petrography of the AF Gap gold deposit, Ayanfuri, Ghana (Perseus Mining Ltd.)

Advisors:

Mojtabai, Chavez, Lueth

Daniel enrolled at the University of Utah upon graduating from NMT. He then went on to work as a geologist for Freeport McMoRan, prior to moving to Blox Inc and Ashanti Sankofa Inc as a consulting geologist.
Scott Anderholm

Masters — 1979, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Hydrogeology and water resources of the Cuba Quadrangle, Sandoval and Rio Arriba Counties, New Mexico

Advisors:

Stone, MacMillan, Gelhari

During his career, Scott worked as a hydrologist with the USGS, Southwest Region office.
John B. Anderson

Masters — 1970, University of New Mexico

Thesis:

Structure and stratigraphy of the western margin of the Nacimiento Uplift, New Mexico (Available in Geologic Information Center)

Advisors:

Woodward, L.

From the Rice University web page (cited below): "John Anderson began his professional career at Hope College in 1972, where he was an assistant professor. In 1975, John joined the faculty at Rice University, where he is currently the Maurice Ewing Professor of Oceanography. He served as chairman of the department from 1992 through 1998. John has conducted research on various aspects of Antarctic marine geology since his first visit there as a student in 1970. He has participated in 24 scientific expeditions to Antarctica. The culmination of this research was published in "Antarctic Marine Geology" by Cambridge University Press. Anderson's other research has focused on the evolution of the northern Gulf of Mexico Basin (see Late Quaternary Stratigraphic Evolution of the Northern Gulf of Mexico Margin, Society of Sedimentary Geology Special Publication No. 79), and the response of coastal systems to global change. His most recent book is entitled "The Formation and Future of the Upper Texas Coast" and he recently co-edited a Geological Society of America Special Paper entitled "Response of Upper Gulf Coast Estuaries to Holocene Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise". John received the 1992 GCAGS Outstanding Educator Award, the 1996 Rice University Graduate Teaching Award, 2004 Rice University Presidential Mentoring Award, and was the 2007 recipient of the Society of Sedimentary Research Shepard Medal. He has served as associate editor for Geology, the American Geophysical Union Antarctic Research Series, American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, Sedimentology, and Marine Geology. He is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America and past president of the Society for Sedimentary Research. John has served on the AAS-Polar Research Board, on the 1997 NSF Oversight Panel for Polar Programs, and is currently chairman of the Antarctic Research Vessel Oversight Committee. He is also the Academic Director for the Shell Center for Sustainability."

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Jordan Curtis Anderson

Masters — 2020, Geology, University of New Mexico

Thesis:

Neogene Drainage Reversal and Colorado Plateau Uplift in the Salt River Area

Advisors:

Karlstrom, Crossey, Scuderi, Heizler
Kojo Anim

Masters — 2010, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Effect of strain rate on the shear strength of Questa rock pile materials

Advisors:

Fakhimi, McLemore, Mojtabai, Razavi

Follwing graduation, Kojo went to work for Freeport-McMoRan Inc., then Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd. as a mining engineer. He received a MBA from Southern New Hampshire University in 2015.
Robert Appelt

Masters — 1998, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar Geochronology and volcanic evolution of the Taos Plateau Volcanic Field, northern New Mexico and southern Colorado

Advisors:

McIntosh, Chapin, Kyle

Following graduation, Bob went to work for Enercon Services, Inc., an environmental services company, as a geochemist. In 2013, he moved to Weston Solutions, an environmental management company, as a project manager.
Brian Arkell

Masters — 1983, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geology and coal resources of the Cub Mountain Area, Sierra Blanca Coal Field, New Mexico

Advisors:

Smith, MacMillan, Kottlowski

Brian has worked in the gold and copper industry for the past 30 years in more than 12 countries in South America, North America, and the Asia-Pacific region. After serving as President of Pioneer Exploration until 2013, he went on to serve as President and CEO of Caza Gold Corporation. He then went on to become Vice President of Exploration for Argonaut Gold Inc.
John Asafo-Akowuah

Masters (IS) — 2017, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Characterization and comparison of mine wastes from legacy mines in New Mexico

Advisors:

McLemore, Mojtabai, Razavi

Following graduation, John became an economic geologist and CEO of Aurifer Consulting.
Indira Glenn Balkissoon

Masters — 1981, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Elemental associations of coal: A study of the organic and inorganic association of elements in coal

Advisors:

Kuellmer, Mitchell, Renault

Following graduation from New Mexico Tech, Indira went on to earn a MS in Public Administration, Environmental Policy and Economics from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Following that, she went on to work for ExxonMobil, the U.S. EPA, TechLaw Inc, Det Norkse Veritas, AfterEcho, and then returned to TechLaw, a public and private sector environmental management and consulting company, as Vice President.
Heather Barnes

Masters — 2019, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Electrical Methods and Fault Zone Permeability and Cementation

Advisors:

Spinelli (advisor), Mozley and Rinehart

Following graduation, Heather went on to work at Danial B. Stephens and Associates, an environmental consulting firm in Albuquerque.
Margaret (Peggy) Barroll

Masters — 1984, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Basin formation by lithospheric extension and graben faulting

Advisors:

Reiter, Gutjahr, Phillips, Sanford, Schlue

PhD — 1989, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Analysis of the Socorro hydro-geothermal system, central New Mexico

Advisors:

Reiter, Gutjahr, Phillips, Sanford, Schlue

Peggy continued to focus on water in New Mexico as a hydrologist at the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer.
Paul Bauer

PhD — 1987, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Precambrian geology of the Picuris Range, north-central New Mexico

Advisors:

Robertson, Callendar, Grambling, Mawer, Condie

Following graduation, Paul was employed by the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources.

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William (Chris) Beck

PhD — 1993, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Structural evolution of the Joyita Hills, Socorro County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Chapin, Chamberlin, Chavez, Johnson, Schlue

Chris specializes in cyber security and information assurance at WCBECK, Inc. .
Michael Berry

PhD — 2020, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Coupled extensional landscape evolution and surface water hydrology modeling: machine learning approaches, general basin evolution and understanding the integration of the Rio Grande rift

Advisors:

van Wijck, Axen, Cadol, Coblentz, Rinehart
David Birney

Masters — 2005, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Mineralogy of the El Tesoro deposit, Chile

Advisors:

Chavez, Lueth, Mojtabai
Nigil Blamey

PhD — 2000, Geochemistry, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Evolution Of Hydrothermal Fluids At The Pipeline Gold Mine, Vander County, Nevada

Advisors:

Norman, Campbell, Austin, Heizler

Nigel is an Assistant Professor of Geochemistry at Western Science University in Ontario, Canada who specializes in fluid inclusion and geochemical applications to geothermal systems.

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Kwaku K. Boakye

Masters — 2008, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Large In Situ Direct Shear Tests on Rock Piles At The Questa Mine, Taos County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Fakhimi, McLemore, Mojtabai

Following graduation, Kwaku went on to work as a geotechnical engineer with Knight-Piesold, KGMH International, a mine operations manager with Cementos Portland Valderrivas, a site manager with LafargeHolcim, an operations manager at Searles Valley Minerals, then a plant manager for Lehigh Hanson. He also completed an MBA at Florida Institute of Technology in 2014.
Danny Bobrow

Masters — 1984, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geochemistry and petrology of Miocene silicic lavas in the Socorro-Magdalena area of New Mexico

Advisors:

Kyle, Osborn, Kuellmer

During his career, Danny was employed as an assistant resident engineer at Parsons Brinckerhoff.
Jenny Boryta

Masters — 1994, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Single-crystal ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar provenance ages and polarity stratigraphy of rhyolitic tuffaceous sandstones of the Thurman Formation (late Oligocene), Rio Grande Rift, New Mexico

Advisors:

McIntosh

Following graduation, Jenny was employed as a hydrologist at Balleau Groundwater, Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories, and pursued a PhD at University of Arizona.
Suzanne Michelle Bourret

Masters — 2015, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Stabilization of the White Sands Gypsum Dune Field, New Mexico, by Groundwater Seepage: A Hydrological Modeling Study

Advisors:

Newton, Phillips, Person

Suzanne continued in hydrologic modelling as a researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

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Samuel Bowring

Masters — 1980, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geology of the west-central Magdalena Mountains, Socorro County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Chapin, MacMillan, Sanford

Following graduation, Sam went on to complete a PhD at University of Kansas. He then pursued an academic career with faculty positions at Washington University in St. Louis and at MIT. Sam was a well respected U-Pb geochronologist who has published many important papers, particularly on calibration of the geologic time scale. He passed away in 2019 (see MIT memorium).

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Brian Brister

PhD — 1990, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Tertiary sedimentation and tectonics: San Juan sag-San Luis basin region, Colorado and New Mexico

Advisors:

Chapin

Following graduation from New Mexico Tech, Brian moved to the petroleum industry, working for Burnett Oil. He later worked for the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, and then returned to the private sector, including working at Gunn Oil Campany in Wichita Falls and Kinder Morgan in Houston.
Lee Brouillard

Masters — 1985, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geology of the northeastern Gallinas Mountains, Socorro County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Chapin, Smith, Kyle

Lee went on to work for a number of environmental service companies, including Duke Engineering, INTERA, Watkins-Johnson, and GRAM, Inc as a hydrogeologist.
Elise Brower

PhD — 1971, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

The barite-celestite solid solution: Measurement of thermodynamic properties and discussion of their geochemical implications

Advisors:

Billings, Bhappu, Condie
David Brown

Masters — 1972, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geology of the southern Bear Mountains, Socorro County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Chapin, Budding
Reid Brown

Masters — 2017, Hydrology, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geochemistry and Transport of Uranium-Bearing Dust at Jackpile Mine, Laguna, New Mexico

Advisors:

Cadol, Frey, Harrison, Walder

Reid works for the Uranium Recovery Program in the Land Quality Division of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
James Bruning

PhD — 1973, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Origin of the Popotosa Formation, north-central Socorro County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Chapin, Lochman-Balk, Budding, Sanford, Weber

After leaving NMT James went to work with ARCO. After leaving ARCO he stayed in the petroleum industry and is currently the owner and CEO of Bruning Resources LLC. He served as PTTC's Chairman in March 2003.
Samantha Caldwell

Masters — 2019, Mineral Engineering, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Paragenesis of Uranium Minerals in the Grants Mineral Belt, New Mexico: Applied Geochemistry and the Development of Oxidized Uranium Mineralization

Advisors:

Chavez, Mojtabai, Frey, Lueth

Following graduation, Samantha was hired a geologist at Baghdad, Arizona.
Dylan Canales

Masters — 2005, Geology, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

The Akwatia Diamond Field, Ghana, West Africa: source rocks

Advisors:

Norman, Campbell, Lueth

Now deceased.
Vanessa Candida de Viterbo

Masters — 2007, Mineral Engineering, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Effects of pre-miming hydrothermal alteration processes and post-mining weathering on rock engineering properties of Goathill North rock pile at Questa mine, Taos County, New Mexico

Advisors:

McLemore, Mojtabai, AimoneMartin, Fakhimi

Vanessa graduated in 2007 and worked for industry.
Bayani Cardenas

— Kottlowski Fellowship

PhD — 2006, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Dynamics of fluids, heat and solutes along sediment-water interfaces: a multiphysics modeling study

Advisors:

Wilson, Stephens, Spinelli, Love, Phillips, Bowman

Bayani, the first recipient of a Bureau of Geology Kottlowski Fellowship, went on to a faculty position as an associate professor and William T. Stokes Centennial Teaching Fellow at the Jackson School of Geosciences at University of Texas, Austin. In 2011, he received American Geophysical Union Hydrologic Sciences Early Career award, and in 2012, the Geological Society of America Kohout award for early career excellence in hydrologic science. He also received two Faculty Science Performance awards from University of Texas, Austin, one in 2013, and a second in 2015.

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Alan Carmichael

Masters — 1982, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Mineralogy and geochemistry of upper Cretaceous clay mineral assemblages from the Star Lake-Torreon coal fields, San Juan Basin, New Mexico

Advisors:

Bodine, Austin, Johnson
Heather Casey

Masters — 2011, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geochemistry of Manganese Oxides and Age of Mineralization at the Santa Eulalia Mining District, Mexico

Advisors:

Heather went on to a position as Mine Geologist at Florida Canyon Mining Inc. in Imlay, Nevada.
Steven Cather

Masters — 1980, University of Texas at Austin

Thesis:

Petrology, diagenesis, and genetic stratigraphy of the Eocene Baca Formation, Alamo Navajo Reservation and vicinity, Socorro County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Folk, Chapin, Scott

PhD — 1986, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Volcano-sedimentary evolution and tectonic implications of the Datil Group (latest Eocene-early Oligocene), west-central New Mexico (Geologic Information Center)

Advisors:

Folk, Chapin, Galloway, Cloos, Smith

Following postdoctoral studies at the New Mexico Petroleum Recovery Research Center and the New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources, Steve has been employed by the New Mexico Bureau of Geology as senior field geologist.

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Eda Celep

Masters — 2017, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Lithofacies analysis of the Sierra Ladrones Formation near the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters (southern Albuquerque Basin, N.M.): Implications for Cliff fault activity in the early Pleistocene

Advisors:

Koning, Love, Van Wijk, Axen
Richard Chamberlin

Masters — 1974, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geology of the Council Rock District, Socorro County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Chapin, Condie, Weber, Budding

Following completing his MS, Richard moved to Colorado School of Mines, where he obtained a PhD. From there, he moved to the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources as a field geologist, focusing on mapping volcanic rocks in New Mexico. He retired from the Bureau in 2010, and remains an active emeritus member of the Bureau and New Mexico Tech geoscience community.

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Olivia Chavez

Masters — 2016, Biology, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Microbiology of a reclaimed uranium mine, Laguna Pueblo, NM

Advisors:

Kieft, Rogelj, Frey

Olivia is working on her PhD in Biophysics at Boston University.
Colin T. Cikoski

Masters — 2010, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geology of the Neogene basin fill on the Indian Well Wilderness 7.5' quadrangle, central Rio Grande rift, New Mexico

Advisors:

Harrison, Chamberlin, Mozley

Following his masters degree Colin became a field geologist for the NMBG. From 2010 to 2013, Colin was senior author of 5 geologic quadrangle maps and assisted in mapping 7 additional quadrangles. He was later employed as a geologist with Brown and Caldwell in Idaho, but returned to Socorro to continue working for the Bureau of Geology. In early 2020, he accepted a position as Natural Resources Analyst at Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality
Gerry Clarkson

PhD — 1984, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Implications for thermal histories of the San Juan Basin and San Juan Mountains since late Cretaceous times

Advisors:

Reiter, Condie, Gutjahr, Sanford, Schlue

Following graduation, Gerry went on to a faculty position at Howard Payne University.

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Robert Colpitts

Masters — 1986, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geology of the Sierra de la Cruz area, Socorro County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Budding, Smith, Johnson, Kottlowski

Following graduation, Bob went on to work for Petrobyte Consulting, Twining Drilling Corp, Finley Resources, Inc, as a western district geologist, and to Joint Resources Company as a senior geologist.
Jessica Cox

Masters (IS) — 2003, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Petrographic and geochemical characteristics of upper mantle xenoliths of the Southwestern United States.

Advisors:

Lueth

Following graduation, Jessica went to work for EMSL Analytical as a laboratory manager.
Jessie Crain

Masters — 2002, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Magma chamber dynamics at Mount Erebus volcano, Antarctica, determined using volatile radionuclide emissions

Advisors:

Kyle, Campbell, Dunbar

Following graduation, Jessie worked for Raytheon Polar Services as a science support manager for 6 years, then moved to the National Science Foundation as an Antarctic Research Support Manager.
Josh Crook

Masters — 2006, Mineral Engineering, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar Geochronolgy and mineralization at Webster Pass, Colorado

Advisors:

Chavez, Lueth, Heizler

Now deceased.
Gina D'Ambrosio-Gunther

Bachelors — 2005, Technical Communication/Geology, New Mexico Tech (President scholarships, graduated cum laude)

Gina was the Managing Editor of Publications at NM Bureau of Geology. Her job covered various levels of editing, design/layout work, and managing the production and publishing of books, periodicals, and other materials for the bureau in print and electronic form. After a 20-yr career as a recognized professional artist/teacher/mentor, with graduate level studies that span Penland School, NC; Kansas Art Institute (KCAI); Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), she earned a degree from NM Tech in Technical Communication with a minor in geology in 2005. Starting work as a student for the bureau in 2002, she became the bureau's first TC intern in 2004. After graduating in 2005, she hired on as Production Editor working for Managing Editor, Jane Love and Chief Editor, L. Greer Price. Gina retired in 2018.
Brianna Detsoi

— Stephen Wells Bright Star Intern

Brianna's research project focuses on using humates as a filtering medium to remove uranium from water, working with Bureau of Geology researchers Bonnie Frey, Virginia McLemore, and Earth and Environmental Science faculty member Ranalda Tsosie. She won 2nd place in the Environment Division Student Poster Competition at the 2024 Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME) annual meeting, competing against other undergraduate, MS, and PhD students. Her research is currently funded by a Department of Energy research grant.
Ariel Dickens

Masters — 2007, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Obsidian hydration and its consequences for the Ar-Ar dating method

Advisors:

McIntosh, Dunbar, Campbell

Following graduation, Ariel worked for a uranium exploration company before setting up a hydroponic supply business in Ft. Collins, CO.
Haley Dietz

— Stephen Wells Bright Star Intern

Dr. Virginia McLemore supervised Haley's research on rare earth element deposits in the Gallinas Mountains.
View a video about Haley's internship, which was funded specifically in memory of Gloria Peterson, the late wife of long-time New Mexico Tech employee Denny Peterson.
Melissa Dimeo

Masters — 2008, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geology, geochemistry, and geochronology of Oligocene mafic dikes near Riley, New Mexico

Advisors:

Chamberlin, McIntosh, Kyle, Dunbar

Following graduation, Melissa gained employment in the field of economic geology, working for Evolving Gold, Climax Molybdenum, Freeport McMoRan, and Yeh and Associates.
Paul S. Domski

Masters — 1989, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

A laboratory study of the effects of organic solvents on the physical properties of Ca-smectite and clay-dominated systems

Advisors:

Austin, MacMillan, Campbell, Bowman

Paul went on to work for INTERA as a geochemist/hydrologist, and then to S.M. Stoller Corporation, an environmental consulting company, as a senior geochemist.
Kelly M. Donahue

Masters — 2002, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geochronolgy and isotope geochemistry of the mineral deposits in the Victorio Mountains, Luna County, New Mexico

Advisors:

McLemore, Campbell, McIntosh

Kelly graduated in 2002, worked for the NMBGMR 2004-2008, and then went on to Brown and Caldwell, an environmental services company, as a geochemist.
Jenna Donatelli

Masters — 2014, Geology, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Dedolomite and other diagenesis in the backreef setting of the Permian reef formation in Dark Canyon, New Mexico.

Advisors:

Broadhead, Mozley, Ulmer-Scholle

Following her graduation, Jenna was hired by the Kjeoy Research and Education Center, as a laboratory manager.
Bright Duah

Masters (IS) — 2019, Mineral Engineering, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Preliminary geochemical assessment of supergene and hypogene chalcocites: Variations in some trace element concentrations.

Advisors:

Chavez, Lueth, Mojtabai
Chadwick Eastman

Masters — 2002, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Advisors:

Lueth, ?
C.L. Edwards

PhD — 1975, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Terrestrial heat flow and crustal radioactivity in northeastern New Mexico and southeastern Colorado

Advisors:

Reiter, Sanford, Sharples, Condie, Chapin

Following graduation, Dr. Edwards went on to a seismology career at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Roberta Eggleston

Masters (IS) — 1982, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Estimates of terrestrial heat flow in the southwestern United States

Advisors:

Reiter
Ted L. Eggleston

Masters — 1982, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geology of the central Chupadera Mountains, Socorro County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Chapin, Smith, Sanford

PhD — 1987, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

The Taylor Creek District, New Mexico: Geology, petrology and tin deposits

Advisors:

Norman

Following graduation, Ted went on to run his own consulting company and to be a Principal Geologist for AMEC.
David Ennis

Masters — 1996, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

The effects of K-metasomatism on the mineralogy and geochemistry of silicic ignimbrites near Socorro, New Mexico

Advisors:

Dunbar, Campbell, Chapin, Mozley

Following graduation, Dave went on to work for the environmental company Souder Miller, and then moved to the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Division.
Abraham Escalante

Masters — 2002,

Thesis:

Geology, alteration and dating of Ojo de Aqua breccia field, Sonora, Mexico

Advisors:

Chavez, Lueth, Mojtabai

Abraham is currently technical advisor in geology at Minera Los Quenauales, Peru.
Richard Esser

Masters — 1996, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar Dating Of Mount Erebus Volcano, Antarctica

Advisors:

Kyle, McIntosh, Heizler

Following graduation, Rich worked for the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources for a number of years, prior to moving to the Energy and Geoscience Institute at the University of Utah.
Elizabeth (Liz) Evenocheck

Masters — 2021, Hydrology, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Groundwater modeling of the Salt Basin, New Mexico and Texas

Advisors:

Mark Person
Elizabeth Evenocheck

Masters — 2021, Hydrology, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Safe, Sustainable Yield in the Salt Basin, NM and TX

Advisors:

Mark Person
Heather (Casey) Fairbanks

Masters — 2011, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geochemistry of manganese oxides and age of mineralization at the Santa Eulalia mining district, Mexico

Advisors:

Campbell, Lueth

After completing her masters, Heather has worked in a number of gold companies in Nevada including Kinross, Newmont, and Barrick.
Kathleen (Babette) Faris

Masters — 1980, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

A geochemical model for the magmatic history of the Carrizozo basalt field, south central New Mexico

Advisors:

Renault, Condie, Bodine

After graduation, Babette worked as manager of the X-ray laboratory at the New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources.
Josh Feldman

Masters — 2010, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

The emplacement and exhumation history of the Twin Lakes batholith and implications for the Laramide orogeny and flat slab subduction

Advisors:

Heizler, McIntosh

Following graduation Josh attended University of Kansas and University of Texas at Austin, and then went on to work at Sandia National Laboratory.
Charles Ferguson

Masters — 1985, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geology of the east-central San Mateo Mountains, Socorro County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Osborn, Johnson, Kyle

Charles completed a PhD at University of Calgary, and then went on to work for the Arizona Geological Survey, as well as pursuing contract geological mapping for a range of other entities.

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Luiza Aline Fernandes Gutierrez

Masters — 2006, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

The influence of mineralogy, chemistry and physical engineering properties on shear strength parameters of the Goathill North rock pile material, Questa Molybdenum mine, New Mexico

Advisors:

Aimone-Martin, McLemore, Mojtabai

Luiza is working in industry.
Walter Fisher

PhD — 1970, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

A leaching mechanism for chalcocite

Advisors:

Roman, Renault, Brandvold, McGehee

Walt joined the faculty at the University of Texas at El Paso in the College of Engineering: Metallurgical, Materials and Biomedical Engineering.
Henry Fleischhauer

Masters — 1977, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Quaternary geology of Lake Animas, Hidalgo County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Stone, MacMillan, Weber

Henry went on to work extensively in environmental consulting in both the private and public sectors.
Kate Fletcher

Masters — 2004, Geology, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geochronology And Provenance Of Four Mesoproterozoic Basins Across The Southwest United States: Evidence From ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar Dating Of Detrital Muscovites

Advisors:

Heizler, Condie, Mozley
Kathryn (Kat) Fletcher

Masters — 2005, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Advisors:

Heizer,

Following graduation, Kat went on to pursue a geochemistry PhD at University of California, Berkeley, which she completed in 2009. From there, she went on to become a high school science teacher.
Gertrude Fobiah Ayakwah

Masters — 2009, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Effects of weathering and alteration on point load and slake durability indices and characterization of the debris flows, Questa mine, New Mexico

Advisors:

McLemore, Fakhimi, Mojtabai

Gertrude went on to work in the mining industry for Freeport-McMoRan.
Kwame Frempong

Masters — 2013, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Rare Earth Elements (REE) Potential and Origin of the Cambrian-Ordovician(?) Episyenites in the Caballo Montains, southern New Mexico

Advisors:

McLemore, Mojtabai, Chavez

Following graduation, Kwame went on to work as a resource geologist and rock slope stability investigator at Freeport-McMoRan, then became a senior resource geologist at OceanaGold Corp.
Bonnie Frey

Masters — 2002, Geochemistry, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Evidence of an Oceanic Plateau Origin and a Deep, Depleted Mantle Source for the Iron King Volcanics, a 1.75-Ga Accreted Terrane in Central Arizona

Advisors:

Condie, Dunbar, Heizler

Bonnie is the analytical laboratory manager and geochemist at the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources. She is also an adjunct professor in the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology Earth and Environmental Science Department.

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Joseph Friedman

Bachelors — 2011, Technical Communications (Biology), New Mexico Tech

Interned for the Pubs Editing Group for the summer of 2010. Following graduation, Joseph worked as a CNC programmer for General Foundry Service in San Leandro, California and as a machine designer for Inspection Services, Inc. in Berkeley, California.
Patricia L. Frisch

Masters — 2002, Geochemistry, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Arsenic Speciation Kit Development and Field Testing in Four New Mexico Thermal Areas

Advisors:

Norman, Dunbar, Bowman
Joan Gabelman

Masters — 1988, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Precambrian geology of the upper Brazos Box area, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Robertson, Mawer, Condie

Joan went on to work for the Bureau of Land Management.
Amy Galanter

Masters — 2016, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Distribution, transport, and accumulations of pyrogenic black carbon (PyC) in post-wildfire watersheds

Advisors:

Cadol, Frey, Phillips, Pullin

Amy became a hydrologist for the US Geological Survey in Albuquerque.
Kyle Gallant

— Stephen Wells Bright Star Intern

Kyle will be investigating the structure of the San Marcial Basin using relative gravity measurements. This work supports on-going StateMap efforts in the basin, which has few deep wells and extremely limited geophysical data. In addition to advancing our understanding of this enigmatic rift basin, Kyle's work will be useful for planning new water well sites in future hydrogeologic studies. You can get more information about Kyle's project by reading this "Postcard from the Field" and by viewing a video about his experience as an intern.
Jake Gallegos

Masters (IS) — 1989, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Simulation of groundwater recharge at a Savannah River project waste site, South Carolina, using a transfer function model

Advisors:

Hawley

Jake went on to work for CH2M Hill and North Wind, Inc, before moving to the role of vice president of Portnoy Environmental, Inc, in the Denver area.

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Rebecca Garcia (nee Trujullo)

Masters — 2011, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Cenozoic intrusive and exhumation history of the Elk and West Elk Mountain plutons, southwest Colorado

Advisors:

Kelley, Heizler, McIntosh, Johnson

Rebecca went on to work for the Albuquerque Public School system.
Lisa Gaston

Masters — 2014, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar Muscovite Thermochronology and Geochronology of New Mexico Pegmatites

Advisors:

Heizler, McIntosh, Condie

Ms. Gaston studied the thermal history of Precambrian igneous and metamorphic basement rocks of New Mexico mountain ranges. Her research used ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of muscovite from pegmatites and metamorphic rocks. She created GIS format geochronology database of Precambrian geochronology data.

Following graduation, Lisa went on to work for Souder, Miller and Associates, in Albuquerque, as a staff environmental scientist and geologist.
Richard Geddes

Masters — 1963, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Structural geology of Little San Pasqual Mountain and the adjacent Rio Grande Trough

Advisors:

Kottlowski, Sanford, Holms, Smith
Pruthvid Geedipally

Masters — 2012, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geology and mineral deposits in the Hillsboro mining district, Sierra County, New Mexico

Advisors:

McLemore, Mojtabai, Chavez

Pruvid graduated in 2012 and returned to India.
Jacob Gertz

— Stephen Wells Bright Star Intern
Thomas Gibson

Masters — 1981, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Precambrian geology of the Burned Mountain-Hopewell Lake area, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Robertson, Budding, Condie

Tom went to work after graduation with Kennecott Exploration. He currently owns a consulting business in Albuquerque.
Casey Gierke

Masters — 2012, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Sourcing tree water in the Sacremento Mountains of New Mexico: A Stable Isotope Study

Advisors:

Newton, Phillips, Campbell

After graduating Casey went to work in New Mexico as a hydrogeologist with Lee Wilson & Associates.
Michaella Gorospe

— Kottlowski Fellowship

Masters — 2013, Geochemistry, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Uranium Mobility in Vegetation, Soils and Water below the Jackpile Uranium Mine, New Mexico

Advisors:

Ulmer-Scholle, Harrison, Campbell

Michaella went on to employment as an environmental specialist with the BHP-Navajo Transitional Energy Company and then as a site specialist with Rio Algom Mining LLC.
Gabriel Graf

Masters — 2008, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Mineralogical and geochemical changes associated with sulfide and silicate weathering in natural alteration scars, Taos County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Campbell, Lueth, Norman, McLemore

Following graduation, Gabriel went on to obtain an MBA at University of Alaska, Fairbanks, then went to work for Newmont Mining Company, before moving to Sumitomo Metal Mining Pogo, LLC, as a senior exploriation geologist, then to the Walbec Group as an operations manager.
Joseph Grigg

Masters — 2015, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Microstratigraphic controls on the mechanical properties of the Mancos Shale

Advisors:

Mozley, Person, Dewers and Rinehart

After graduating Joseph went to work for Pioneer Natural Resources Co. in Texas, and then was hired by the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources as a petroleum geologist in 2019.
John Groff

PhD — 1996, Geology, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar Geochronology Of Gold Mineralization And Origin Of Auriferous Fluids For The Getchell And Twin Creeks Mines, Humboldt County, Nevada

Advisors:

Campbell, Heizler, Norman

Following graduation, John spent his career in the gold mining industry.
David Guilinger

Masters — 1982, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geology and uranium potential of the Tejana Mesa-Hubbell Draw area, Catron County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Chamberlin, Smith, Johnson, MacMillan
Ethan Haft

— Stephen Wells Bright Star Intern

Bachelors — 2022, Earth and Environmental Science, New Mexico Tech

Ethan's Bright Star project involves studying carbonatites in the Lemitar Mountains, near Socorro. He will be investigating the geochemistry, mineralogy, fenitization and potential for rare earth elements. Ethan was awarded a 2021 New Mexico Geological Society "Grant-in-Aid" to support his research, based on the quality of his research proposal to the society.
Christopher Haley

Masters — 2004, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Hydrologic and geologic characteristics of the Coalbed Methane Resource, Raton Basin, New Mexico

Advisors:

Mozley, Brister, Vivoni
Charles Hammond

Masters — 1987, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geology of the Navajo Gap area between Ladron Mountains and Mesa Sarca, Socorro County, New Mexico: A structural analysis

Advisors:

Chapin, Johnson, Smith

Following graduation, Charlie went into the field of engineering geology, working for Cornforth Consultants in the Pacific Northwest.

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Richard Harrison

Masters — 1980, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geology of the northeastern Datil Mountains, Socorro and Catron Counties, New Mexico

Advisors:

Chapin, Norman, Smith

PhD — 1992, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Cenozoic stratigraphy, structure, and epithermal mineralization of north-central Black Range, New Mexico in the regional geologic framework of south-central New Mexico

Advisors:

Chapin, Norman, Smith

Rich spent a long and productive professional career with the United States Geological Survey, working in tectonics, and as a Science Center Director. He passed away in 2019, and an obituary may be found here.

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Harold Hartman

Masters (IS) — 1972, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

First report of a preliminary geothermal investigation of the Rio Grande Rift in New Mexico

Advisors:

Reiter
David Hayslip

Masters — 1973, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geochemistry of the bimodal quaternary volcanism in the Medicine Lake Highland, northern California

Advisors:

Renault, Condie, Billings, Chapin
Ryan Helms

Masters (IS) — 2020, Mineral Engineering, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Biotite and chlorite geothermometry of the Lomas Bays copper deposit, Antofagasta Province, Chile: An initial assessment.

Advisors:

Chavez, Lueth, Mojtabai

After graduating, Ryan was hiring as a Geologist I by Freeport-McMoRan.
Kevin Henry

Masters — 2017, Geology, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar Chronostratigraphy Of Ogallala Sedimentary Rocks, NM

Advisors:

Heizler, ?

Kevin is now a Laboratory Technician working in the Argon Geochronology Laboratory at Oregon State University.
Alexander Herbst

Masters — 2019, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Vanadium extraction by roasting of tailings from Mustavaara (Finland) and Titania (Norway), and Kiruna Manetite (Sweden).

Advisors:

Walder, Chavez, Maher, Lueth

Following graduation, Alexander was hired as a minerals deposit geologist for Freeport-McMoRan in Tucson, Arizona.
Mark Holland

PhD — 2018, Geology, University of New Mexico

Dissertation:

Thermochronology Of Mazatzal Basement Rocks, SW USA

Advisors:

Karlstrom, Heizler, ?

Mark is now an Assistant Professor of Geology at West Texas A&M University.

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Stephen Hook

Masters — 1974, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

The cephalopods of the Florida Mountains Formation

Advisors:

Flower, Gutjahr, Kottlowski, MacMillan, Stone

PhD — 1975, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Cephalopod faunas of latest Canadian Age from southwestern United States

Advisors:

Flower, Gutjahr, Kottlowski, MacMillan, Stone

Stephen continued working in geology and paleontology, and became owner of Atarque Geologic Consulting, LLC in Socorro, NM.
Robert Horning

Masters — 1997, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Field relationships and evolution of leucocratic, basic veins at El Porticito volcanic vent, New Mexico

Advisors:

Dunbar, Kyle, Campbell, Baldridge
Hooman Hosseinpour

Masters — 2008, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Numerical and experimental evaluation of the effect of oversize particles on direct shear test results

Advisors:

Fakhimi, McLemore, Mojtabai

Following graduation, Hooman became a project engineer for Golder Associates.
Joe Iovenitti

Masters — 1977, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

A reconnaissance study of jasperoid in the Kelly Limestone, Kelly Mining District, New Mexico Part I: Geology, petrography and origin, Part II: Differentiation of chert from jasperoid by X-ray diffract ion line resolution

Advisors:

Chapin, Renault, Beane

Joe went on to work for AltaRock Energy, Inc., in the field of geothermal energy, then later became an independent consulting geologist.
Vladamir Ispolatov

PhD — 2001, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Geology, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar Geochronology, And Fluid Inclusion Study Of The Solton Sary Mesothermal Gold District, Kyrgyzstan

Advisors:

Norman, Heizler, Dunbar, Goodwin, Condie

Dr. Ispolatov went on to work in the mineral exploration industry, including for Barrick Gold.
Nels Iverson

Masters — 2013, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Eruptive history and magmatic stability of Erebus volcano, Antarctica: Insights from englacial tephra

Advisors:

Kyle, Dunbar, McIntosh

PhD — 2017, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Antarctica's englacial tephra record: Characterizing and integrating tephra from blue ice areas and ice cores

Advisors:

Dunbar, Kyle, Bonamicci, Reusch, Thomas

Following graduate, Nels went on to a post-doctoral position with the Bureau, and then moved to staff scientist position with the Bureau and the NMT Materials Engineering Department.

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Michael Jaworski

Masters — 1973, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Copper mineralization of the Upper Moya Sandstone, Cupadero Mines area, Socorro County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Vonder Lin, Lochman-Balk, Beane, Kottlowski

Michael was supported by the Bureau both as an undergraduate, and MS student. He credits the training received at the Bureau as providing a cornerstone for his future employment, which included mining industry work for Phelps Dodge, Freeport McMoRan, Pegasus Gold, as well as work in the New Mexico Environment Department, and the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Division.
Terry Jensen

Masters — 1983, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geology and depositional environments of the Mesaverde Group in the Capitan coal field, Lincoln County, New Mexico

Advisors:

MacMillan, Wolberg

Terry worked extensively in environmental consulting and project management following graduation. He continued on as a technical consultant for Gauvreau GeoEnvironmental Group working on mining and oil/gas realated groundwater projects.
David Jordan

Masters (IS) — 1989, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Vertical groundwater movement in southeastern New Mexico as determined from regional heat-flow estimates

Advisors:

Reiter

After graduation, Dave focused on the field of hydrogeology and environmental science, working as a principal hydrogeologist and later becoming VP of INTERA in Albquerque, NM.
Heidi Justman

Masters — 2001, Geology, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Petroleum source rocks in the Brushy Canyon Formation (Permian), Delaware Basin, southeastern New Mexico

Advisors:

Broadhead, Mozley, Johnson

After graduation Heidi went to work for Geoquest Schlumberger, Houston TX. She later married an Italian petroleum engineer and moved to Italy. Her husband is a Vice President of ENI.
Laura Kedzie

Masters — 1984, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

High-precision ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of major ash-flow tuff sheets, Socorro, New Mexico

Advisors:

Chapin, Kyle, Sutter
Peter Kelly

Masters — 2006, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geochemistry and mineralogy of the phonolite lava lake, Erebus volcano, Antarctica: 1972–2004 and comparison with older lavas

Advisors:

Kyle, McIntosh, Dunbar

Following graduation, Peter worked for several years at University of New Hampshire, prior to accepting a position with the United States Geological Survey's Casacades Volcano Observatory

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Susan Kent

Masters — 1980, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Precambrian geology of the Tusas Mountain Area, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Robertson, Condie, Budding
David Ketchum

Masters — 2016, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

High-Resolution Estimation of Groundwater Recharge for the Entire State of New Mexico Using a Soil-Water-Balance Model

Advisors:

Newton, Phillips, Hendrickx

David went on to pursue a Ph.D. in hydrology at the University of Montana.
Ingrid Klich

Masters — 1983, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Precambrian geology of the Elk Mountain-Spring Mountain area, San Miguel County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Robertson, Grambling, Condie, Callender
Marsha Koehn

Masters — 1972, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Petrographic and paleoenvironmental study of the Glorieta Sandstone near Rowe, New Mexico

Advisors:

Balk, Kottlowski, Willard
Stanley Krukowski

Masters — 1983, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Mineralogy and geochemistry of upper Cretaceous clay-bearing strata, Torreon Wash/Johnson Trading Post areas, southeastern San Juan Basin, New Mexico

Advisors:

Bodine, Austin, Smith

PhD — 1990, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Conodont and foraminifer biostratigraphy of the Kelly Limestone (Mississippian), west-central New Mexico

Advisors:

Johnson, Wolberg

Following finishing his MS degree, Stan continued with a PhD dissertation with Dave Johnson, at New Mexico Tech. Stan worked for industry and then moved to a position at the Oklahoma Geological Survey.
Jean-Marc Lambert

Masters — 2002, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Red Bed Copper-Silver Deposits in Bolivia

Advisors:

Chavez, Lueth, Mojtabai
Marc G. Lambert

Masters — 2001, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Mineralogy and genetic considerations for red-bed hosted Cu±Ag deposits of the Bolivian Altiplano, Cordillera Occidental, Bolivia

Advisors:

Chavez, Lueth, Mojtabai
Adrian Landstedt

Masters — 2021, Mineral Engineering, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Petrographic and Microprobe analysis of calcocites and native copper from Northwest Australia.

Advisors:

Chavez, Lueth, Mojtabai
Marianne Lara

— Stephen Wells Bright Star Intern

Marianne is working with Barbara J Horowitz, Publications Program Manager, to experience the Bureau of Geology’s end-to-end publications process. Focusing on Marianne’s creative studio interests, this includes providing design and production services for Bureau’s general audience, outreach and technical publications and special projects; serving as point person for figures, photography and illustration work; enhancing her knowledge of Creative Suite applications as well as learning new software programs and tools; participating in the print production and online posting processes; managing project workflow; maintaining the operation and calibration of office equipment; and helping to organize the program’s electronic/hard copy files and print samples.
T. Matthew Laroche

Masters — 1981, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geology of the Gallinas Peak area, Socorro County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Chapin, Osburn, Smith, Budding

Matt went on to work for Chevron in Texas.
John Lempke

— Stephen Wells Bright Star Intern

Bachelors — 2023, Chemical Engineering, New Mexico Tech

In his second year of Bright Star scholarship funding, John is continuing to work on a collaborative project between New Mexico Tech and Navajo Technical University focusing on water quality research. He has been involved in water sampling in Alamo, NM. John also helped with the installation of a new inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer, recently funded by that National Science Foundation, in a grant to Bonnie Frey who is John's supervisor.
Jason Lennane

Masters — 2002, Geology,

Thesis:

Controls on the accumulation of hydrocarbons in the lower Brushy Canyon Formation, southeastern New Mexico.

Advisors:

Broadhead, Mozley, Harrison

Jason went on to work for a groundwater consulting company in Savannah, Georgia.
Yitian (Tina) Li

Masters (IS) — 2018, Geochemistry, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Preliminary geochemical evaluation of long-term leaching tests on uranium-bearing waste materials from the Grants Mining District in New Mexico

Advisors:

Walder, Frey, Harrison, Maher
Gregory Little

Masters — 1987, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Subsurface analysis of the (Permian) Abo Formation in the Lucero Region, west-central New Mexico

Advisors:

Broadhead, MacMillan, Johnson

Greg went on to work as a group manager at AMEC Foster Wheeler in Canada.
Cynthia A. Loehr

Masters — 1979, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Mineralogic and geochemical effects of basaltic dike intrusion into evaporite sequences near Carlsbad, New Mexico

Advisors:

Bodine, MacMillan

Cynthia became a lawyer with Rodey Law here in New Mexico. She specializes in environmental, water, and education law.
Richard Peter (Rick) Lozinsky

PhD — 1988, Geology, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Stratigraphy, sedimentology, and sand petrology of the Santa Fe group and pre-Santa Fe Tertiary deposits in the Albuquerque Basin, central New Mexico

Advisors:

McMillan, Hawley, Wolberg, Mack, Kudo

Rick has been a Earth Sciences Instructor at Fullerton College in California for many years.

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Sara Lundberg

Masters — 1999, Geochemistry, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

An Attempt To Date Fluid Inclusions In Quartz: Implications For The ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar Method

Advisors:

Campbell, Dunbar, Heizler, McIntosh
Tiffany Luterbach

Masters — 2016, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Trace element analysis of placer gold samples

Advisors:

McLemore, Dunbar, and Mojtabai
Scott D. Lynch,

Masters — 2003, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geologic mapping and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronology in the northern Nogal Canyon Caldera, within and adjacent to the southwest corner of the Blue Mountain Quadrangle, San Mateo Mountains, New Mexico

Advisors:

McIntosh, Ferguson, Kyle

Following graduation, Scott went to work for Gulf of Mexico as a wellsite geologist.
Bokary S. Maiga

PhD — 1992, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Statistical evaluation of Fruitland Formation coals and associated rocks of Bisti and Western Star Lake fields

Advisors:

Following graduation, Bokary became the self-employed director of the Socorro Martial Arts Academy. He passed away in 2017. An obituary can be found here.
Joe Marcoline

Masters — 1996, Geology, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Field, Petrographic And ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar Constraints On The Tectonic History Of The Central Manzano Mountains, Central New Mexico

Advisors:

Condie, Goodwin, Heizler, Ralser

Following graduation, Joe was hired by the New Mexico Environment Department, working to assess and improve groundwater quality in New Mexico.
Iain Mason

Masters — 2014, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar chronostratigraphy of Late Cretaceous and Early Paleocene rocks of the San Juan Basin, NM.

Advisors:

Matt Heizler, William McIntosh, Kent Condie

Mr. Mason studied the chronostratigraphy of late Cretaceous and early Paleocene rocks of the San Juan Basin, NM. His research tools were ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of primary sanidine from volcanic ashes and detrital sanidine from sand and siltstones, working towards developing an absolute chronology of the sedimentary rocks. His work elucidated Paleocene mammal evolution rates and the timing of dinosaur extinction.
Katherine Mason-Barton

Masters — 2009, Geology,

Thesis:

Constraining The Eocene-Oligocene Time Scale Using High Precision ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar Sanidine Geochronology Of Ignimbrites, Southwest United States

Advisors:

McIntosh, Heizler, ?
Michael Mathuri

Masters — 2017, University of Texas at El Paso

Thesis:

Evaluation of cryptic sulfur cycling in marine sediments

Advisors:

Brunner, Arnold, Lueth

Michael went on to study Marine Science at the University of Connecticut
David L. Mayerson

Masters — 1979, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geology of the Corkscrew Canyon-Abe Spring area, Socorro County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Chapin, MacMillan, Johnson

David went on to work for the New Mexico Environment Department, Surface Water Quality Bureau.
Brian McGurk

Masters — 1986, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Conceptual hydrogeologic model of the Nations Draw area, Catron and Cibola Counties, New Mexico: Report to Fuels Department, Salt River Project, Phoenix, Arizona

Advisors:

Stone

Brian became a water resource modeler for the Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality.
Amber McIntosh

Masters — 1986, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Stable isotopic evidence for fluid mixing in the Tertiary alkalic-type epithermal Au-Te deposit, Cripple Creek, Colorado

Advisors:

Campbell, Chavez, Lueth, Norman

Amber worked for many years as an exploration geologist. She is currently employed with the Frolicking Deer Lavender Farm in Datil.
William C. McIntosh

PhD — 1989, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Ages and distribution of ignimbrites in the Mogollon-Datil volcanic field, southwest New Mexico: a stratigraphic framework using ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating and paleomagnetism

Advisors:

Chapin, Kyle, Sutter, Geissman

Following postdoctoral research in New Mexico, Bill went on to work at the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources as volcanologist and geochronologist.

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Curtis McKallip

Masters — 1984, Geology, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Newkirk Field: The geology of a shallow streamflood project in Guadalupe County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Broadhead, MacMillan, Martin

Curtis went to work as a consultant at Curtis McKallip Computer Services in Houston, TX.
Virginia T. (Ginger) McLemore

Masters — 1980, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geology of the Precambrian rocks of the Lemitar Mountains, Socorro County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Condie, Robertson, Kottlowski

PhD — 1993, Geoscience, University of Texas at El Paso

Dissertation:

Geology and geochemistry of the mineralization and alteration in the Steeple Rock district, Grant County, New Mexico and Greenlee County, Arizona

Advisors:

Clark, Hoffer, Chapin, Julian, Arrowood, Pingitorre

Following completing her MS at New Mexico Tech, Ginger was employed by the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources. During her employment with the Bureau, she completed a PhD degree at University of Texas at El Paso. She is a Principal Senior Economic Geologist at the Bureau.

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Erwin A. Melis

Masters — 2001, Geology, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Tectonic History of the Proterozoic Basement of the Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains, New Mexico

Advisors:

Goodwin, Campbell, Bauer, Heizler

After earning his Masters degree at NMT, Erwin completed his PhD. in 2006 at the University of Maine. He is now a Senior Hydrogeologist with John Shomaker & Associates in Albuquerque, NM.

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Jeffrie Minier

PhD — 1987, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

A geothermal study in west-central New Mexico

Advisors:

Reiter, Chapin, Gutjahr, Phillips, Sanford

Following receiving his PhD, Jeffrie went on to law school at University of New Mexico, and then went on to practice law in New Mexico.
John Morkeh

Masters — 2009, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

The effect of particle size fractions on chemistry, mineralogy, and acid potential of the Questa rock piles, Taos County, New Mexico

Advisors:

McLemore, Mojtabai, Chavez

John graduated in 2007, went on to work for Freeport-McMoRan Inc., then became a senior geologist at Barrick Gold Corporation's Ruby Hill Mine in Nevada.
Erik A. Munroe

Masters — 1999, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geology and geochemistry of waste rock piles from select mineral deposits in the Hillsboro mining district, Sierra County, New Mexico

Advisors:

McLemore, Campbell, Mozley

Eric graduated in 1999 and became mine geologist, then senior environmental coordinator at Cripple Creek and Victor Co. in Cripple Creek, CO.
Morgan Nasholds

— Kottlowski Fellowship

Masters — 2020, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geochronology of post-caldera volcanism at Valles caldera.

Advisors:

Zimmerer, Grapenthin

Morgan received a Bachelor's of Science in Geology from the University of Oregon in Eugene, OR in 2017 and then worked for two months at the Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO) in Vancouver, WA and the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) on the Big Island of Hawaii. He began his Master's program at NMT in August 2018. His geochronologic work will be used to determine eruptive frequencies, repose intervals, constrain the duration of resurgence at Valles, and help refine the stratigraphic record. In addition to establishing new ages, volumetric assessment of the post-caldera domes will be used in conjunction with the ages to determine the eruptive flux of the Valles system over time.
Hal Newell III

Masters — 1997, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronology of the Miocene silicic lavas of the Socorro-Magdalena area, New Mexico, U.S.A.

Advisors:

Kyle, McIntosh, Chamberlin

Following graduation, Hal went to work in the environmental consulting industry.
Samuel Nunoo

Masters — 2009, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geotechnical evaluation of Questa mine materials, Taos County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Fakhimi, McLemore, Mojtabai

Following graduation, Sam went on to pursue a PhD at the University of British Columbia in Civil Engineering. He then became a geotechnical engineer for Austin Engineering, Ltd. and, later, Taseko: Gibraltar Mine.
Jason Odette

Masters — 2005, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Quantitative mineralogic evaluation of the transition zone: Ore characterization study at the Cerro Colorado porphyry Cu- (Mo-) deposit, Region 1, Northern Chile

Advisors:

Chavez, Campbell, Lueth, Kyle

Jason went on to work as a principal exploration geologist for BHP Billiton and Newcrest Mining.
Brian Olmsted

Masters — 2000, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar investigations of the Ocate volcanic field, north-central New Mexico

Advisors:

McIntosh, Kyle, Chapin, Heizler

Brian went on to work as a geochemist for ERO Resources Corporation, an environmental service company in Denver, CO.
Glenn (Bob) Osburn

Masters — 1978, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geology of the eastern Magdalena Mountains, Water Canyon to Pound Ranch, Socorro County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Chapin, Condie, Renault

Bob worked for the New Mexico Bureau of Geology (then the New Mexico Bureau of Mining and Minerals Resources) as a field mapper for a number of years, and then moved to the Department of Earth and Planetary Science at Washington University in St. Louis.

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JoAnne Osburn (nee Cima)

Masters — 1978, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Physical properties of selected scoria cones in New Mexico

Advisors:

Austin, Kuellmer, Smith

Following graduation, JoAnne worked for the New Mexico Bureau of Mining and Mineral Resources as a coal geologist.
Ismail Ozen

Masters — 2007, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geological setting and mineral zoning of the Tarrazas Zinc-Copper skarn system, Chihuahua, Mexico

Advisors:

Chavez, Lueth, Mojtabai

Ismail is now a mining engineer working for Newmont Australia in Perth, Western Austalia.Ismail is now a mining engineer working for Newmont Australia in Perth, Western Australia.
Dante Xari Padilla Romero

Masters (IS) — 2019, Mineral Engineering, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Mineralogical Characterization of Sulfides at the Las Luces volcanic-hosted Cu-Ag deposit, Chile

Advisors:

Chavez, Lueth, Mojtabai

Following graduation, Dante worked as an illustrator for the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and MIneral Resources, and then went on to be a geologist for Aura Minerals, Inc. a multi-national mining company.
Roshelly Paliza

Masters — 2006, Mineral Engineering, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Advisors:

Chavez, Lueth, Mojtabai

Roshelly is currently Coordinator for the Center of Entrepreneurial Geosciences at the University of Texas at El Paso.
Roheel Pashtoon

— Stephen Wells Bright Star Intern

Bachelors — 2024, Earth and Environmental Science, New Mexico Tech

Roheel worked in the Bureau of Geology's argon geochronology laboratory completed tasks like crushing rocks, sieving, acid washing, heavy liquid separation, and concentrating minerals of interest for ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronology, as well as other general tasks that contributed to the functioning and organization of the mineral separation facility. This project was relevant to his interest in sedimentology.
Alexandra Pearce

PhD — 2020, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Implications of cryptic, nonstoichiometric uranium mineralization on formation and leachability of sandstone-hosted uranium ores, Grants district, New Mexico.

Advisors:

Maher, van Wijk, Walder, Lueth, Cadol
Angelica Perry

Bachelors — 2014, Technical Communications (with Geology), New Mexico Tech

Angelica worked as an intern for the Bureau's Pubs Editing Group (Gina D'Ambrosio, supervisor) during 2013. She also worked in the Bureau's Archives (Dr. Maureen Wilks, supervisor). Angelica went on to become a grant writer and fundraiser at Glade Run Lutheran Services, a non-profit in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that has services for children on the autism spectrum and at risk children. She obtained a Master of Public Management degree from Carnegie Mellon University, and became an analyst for Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania. She is also a member of the Technical Communication Departments' TC Corporate Advisory Board.
Patricia Perry

Masters — 1987, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

An interpretation of the depositional setting for the Sugarite Coal Zone of the Raton Formation, located near the city of Raton, New Mexico

Advisors:

Johnson, Smith, Kottlowski
David Petty

Masters — 1979, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geology of the southeastern Magdalena Mountains, Socorro County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Chapin, Condie, Budding

David worked extensively in industry as a petroleum geologist and as an independent researcher in the Williston, Permian, and Michigan basins, and abroad. Most of his research has focused on stratigraphy, diagenesis and reservoir rock properties
Randall S. Phillips

Masters — 1990, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geochemistry of hydrothermal Th-U-REE quartz/fluorite veins from the Capitan pluton

Advisors:

Campbell, McLemore, Smith

Randy graduated in 1990 and is working in industry.
Terry Pollock

Masters — 1994, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Evidence for the relative timing and character of Proterozoic deformation and metamorphism in the Ladron Mountains, New Mexico

Advisors:

Goodwin, Bauer, McIntosh

Terry went on to work as a consulting geologist.
J. Stephen Raugust

Masters — 2003, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Environmental geology of the Copper Flat deposit, Hillsboro, Sierra County, New Mexico, M.S. independent study

Advisors:

McLemore, Chavez, Mojtabai

Steve worked for consultant firms, Themax Corp. and later became an independent consulting engineering geologist in Albuquerque.
Geoff Rawling

PhD — 2002, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Structural geology and hydrogeologic characterization of faults in poorly lithified sediments

Advisors:

Goodwin, Wilson, Mozley, Tobin, Haneberg

Since graduation, Geoff has worked for the New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources in the Geologic and Aquifer Mapping Programs.

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Marisa Repasch

Masters — 2016, Geology, University of New Mexico

Thesis:

Birth And Evolution Of The Rio Grande Fluvial System: New Insights From River Gravel Provenance Studies And Dated Paleoprofiles

Advisors:

Karlstrom, Crossey, Heizler

"I am a PhD student at the University of Potsdam (Germany) studying the relationship between physical and biogeochemical processes in rivers, with a specific focus on the Rio Bermejo in northern Argentina. The goal of my PhD project is to quantify the role of rivers in the carbon cycle, with respect to carbon transport from source to sink."

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Peter ReVelle

Masters — 2016, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Evapotranspiration in Mountain Terrain - Applying Topographic-Based Energy Constraints to Evaluate the Distribution of Water Fluxes and Effects of Vegetation Cover Change

Advisors:

Newton, Phillips, Hendrickx

Following graduation, Peter continued working in evapotranspiration and remote sensing in the Hydrological Information Systems Lab at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Ronald Riese

Masters — 1969, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Precambrian geology of the southern part of the Rincon Range

Advisors:

Renault, Budding, McGehee
Annie Riggins Cardon

— Kottlowski Fellowship

Masters — 2014, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Origin of the REE-bearing episyenites in the Caballo and Burro Mountains, New Mexico

Advisors:

Dunbar, McLemore, McIntosh

Ms. Riggins studied the occurrence, origin, timing and mineralogy of REE deposits in the Caballo and Burro Mts., NM. Her primary research tools were geological mapping, mineralogy using the electron microprobe and dating using ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronology. Following graduation, Annie went on to work for Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Arzoo Rishad

— Stephen Wells Bright Star Intern

Dan Koning will supervise research on the paleomagnetic analysis of sedimentary rocks.
Kylian Robinson

Masters — 2017, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Characterize the shallow aquifer system in the vicinity of the Village of Questa, New Mexico, in the context of considerable historical studies

Advisors:

Phillips, Person, Marcoline

Following graduation, Kylian worked for the NM Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resouces mapping aquifers of the Cuesta del San Antonio del Rio Colorado until 2018. He went on to work as a hydrogeologist at EA Engineering, Science and Technology, Inc in Albuquerque and then moved to Geo-Logic Associates, Inc, in 2020.
Alanna Robison

Masters — 2017, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geochronology of alkaline intrusive rocks and their relationship to Fluorite-REE mineralization in the Gallinas Mountains, New Mexico

Advisors:

Lueth, McIntosh, Maher

Alanna became an associate scientist at HydroGeoLogic, Inc.
Jake Ross

Masters — 2009, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar Chronology of volcanic events in the AND-1B drillcore – implications for age models and glacial history of the Ross Embayment

Advisors:

McIntosh, Kyle, Dunbar,Heizler, Campbell

PhD — 2014, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Geochronology of Southern McMurdo Sound and development of Pychron: A ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar data collection and processing software suite.

Advisors:

McIntosh, Kyle, Dunbar,Heizler, Campbell

Dr. Ross received his MS from NM Tech and then pursued a diverse PhD dissertation. Research topics relate to the ice sheet processes using geochronology and volcanology from the ANDRILL drill core samples and volcanic rocks from Minna Bluff, both in Antarctica. He has development the software code ‘PyChron’ to operate the instrumentation of the argon geochronology laboratory. His primary research tools were geological mapping, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronology of volcanic rocks and minerals, sample characterization with the electron microprobe and the Python computer programing language. Jake went on to pursue post-doctoral research at New Mexico Tech, and, in 2016, was hired by the Bureau as a research scientist.

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Susan Roth

Masters — 1980, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geology of the Sawmill Canyon Area of the Magdalena Mountains, Socorro County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Chapin, Budding, Norman

Following graduation, Susan became a consulting environmental scientist and President at Roth Consulting.
Amanda Rowe

Masters — 2005, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Genetic evolution of the magmatic hydrothermal breccia and stockwork veinlets of the Goat Hill orebody, Questa porphyry molybdenum system, New Mexico

Advisors:

Campbell, Norman, McLemore, Walker

PhD — 2012, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Ore Genesis and Fluid Evolution of the Goat Hill Orebody, Questa Climax-type Porphyry-Mo System, NM and Its Comparison to Climax-type Deposits of the Colorado Mineral Belt

Advisors:

Campbell, Norman, McLemore, Walker

Dr. Amanda Rowe graduated in 2005, became an exploration mine geologist at Cripple Creek and Victor Co., then a corporate geologist/mining specialist at Lincoln Electric.
Randall K. Ruff

Masters — 1993, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Gas analysis of fluid inclusions: application toward precious metal exploration, Steeple Rock mining district, Grant County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Norman, McLemore, Smith, Ohline

Randy has worked extensively in mining and exploration geology, recently as Vice President-Exploration at Euro Sun Mining Inc.
Judy Russell

Masters — 1979, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Refractory clay resources of the Burro Canyon(?) Formation Dakota Sandstone, north-central New Mexico

Advisors:

Austin, MacMillan, Bodine
Kym Samuels

— Kottlowski Fellowship

Masters — 2008, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Weathering and landscape evolution recorded in supergene jarosite, Red River Valley, Northern New Mexico

Advisors:

Campbell, Lueth, McIntosh, Harrison

Following completing her MS degree, which was funded by the Bureau Kottlowski Fellowship, Kym completed a PhD at the University of New Mexico in 2014 and became a Research Associate, and then Research Assistant Professor at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ.
Robert Sanders

Masters — 2005, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

IS Title: ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar thermochronology constraints on the timing of Proterozoic basement exhumation and fault ancestry, southwest Sangre de Christo Range, New Mexico

Advisors:

Heizler, Campbell, McIntosh, Goodwin

PhD — 2008, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

K-feldspar thermochronology of Proterozoic basement rocks: Reconciling regional tectonism, fluid alteration, and argon transport in microtexturally complex feldspar

Advisors:

Heizler, Campbell, Karlstrom, McIntosh, Condie

Rob went on to work as an independent consultant and a partner in the NM-based Thief Mountain Mining Company.
Samantha Saville

Masters — 2015, Chemistry, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Uranium Capture on Modified Inorganic-Organic Graphite Hybrid Material to Develop a Specific Uranium Binding Filtrate Material for Mining Reclamation and Domestic Water Uses and Method Development of Complexation and Characterization Techniques for uranium in Water

Advisors:

Frolova, Pullin, Frey, Piyasena, Cadol

Samantha became a research chemist at Bend Research, a part of the Capsugel pharmaceutical company, and an instrument service specialist at Pace Analytical.
Natalie Schneider

— Kottlowski Fellowship — Stephen Wells Bright Star Intern

Natalie's project has focused on collaborative research between New Mexico Tech and Navajo Technical University, focusing on water quality research. Her specific contribution has been in the area of database development. During her project, Natalie worked with Bureau of Geology researchers and also with scientists from INTERA, a company that has contributed toward the Bright Star Scholarship fund.
Heather R. Shannon

Masters — 2006, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Fluid Transport through a Variably Saturated Rock Pile hillslope system

Advisors:

Hendickx, McLemore, Wilson

Following graduation, Heather went to work for consulting firm MWH. In 2015, she moved to California Department of Water Resources as an engineering geologist.
Ernest Jr. Sharkan

Masters — 1992, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Economic geology and geochemistry of selectec perlite occurrences in southwest New Mexico

Advisors:

Chavez, Mozley, Campbell, Barker
Jake Sharp

Masters — 2008, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

The effects of geologic structure and diagenesis on oil production in upper Pennsylvanian and lower Permian phylloid algal mounds, southeastern New Mexico

Advisors:

Broadhead, Mozley, Johnson

Jake went on to work as a Software Sales and Support Manager (North America) at DownUnder GeoSolutions and at Wood Mackenzie in Houston, TX.
Colin Shaw

PhD — 2001, Geology, University of New Mexico

Dissertation:

⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar Thermochronology Of Colorado And New Mexico Proterozoic Rocks

Advisors:

Karlstrom, Heizler, ?

Colin is an Assistant Research Professor and Undergradaute Scholars Program Director at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT.

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Charles Shearer

PhD — 1979, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

A regional terrestrial heat-flow study in Arizona

Advisors:

Reiter, Chapin, Condie, Gutjahr, Sanford
Wayne Sherwood

Masters — 2002, MST, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

A comparison of extracurricular activities in science and engineering – Science Olympiad and Science Fair

Advisors:

Lueth

Wayne is director of the Aldo Leopold Charter School in Silver City, New Mexico.
Clark Short

Masters — 2012, Geochemistry, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Evaluation Of The Multiple Domain Diffusion Model Of Argon Thermochronology Through Characterization And Dating Of Single K-Feldspar Fragments

Advisors:

Heizler, McIntosh

Clark is a geochemist working for Intera in Albuquerque, NM.

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William Siemers

PhD — 1978, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

The Stratigraphy, Petrology, and Paleoenvironments of the Pennsylvanian System of the Socorro Region, West-Central New Mexico

Advisors:

Chapin, Kottlowski, MacMillan, Austin
Marcus Silva

Masters — 2018, Mineral Engineering, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Characterization, mineralogy and chemistry of mine wastes from mines in New Mexico

Advisors:

McLemore, Mojtabai

Marcus has a B.S. in Environmental Geology from the University of California, Santa Cruz
Philip Simmons

Masters — 2016, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Temperature constraints and the effect of fluid flow on the formation of the Jones Camp dike and associated rocks, Socorro County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Lueth, Maher, Bonamici

Phil is owner of Enchantment Minerals in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Donald Simon

Masters — 1973, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geology of the Silver Hill Area, Socorro County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Chapin, Beane, Budding
Adam Smith

Masters — 2018, Geology, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar Geochronology Of REE-Bearing Episyenites, NM & CO

Advisors:

Heizler, ?

After earning his Masters Degree at NMT, Adam now works Freeport-McMoRan in Tuscon, Arizona.
Stewart Smith

Masters — 1986, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Precambrian geology of the Jawbone Mountain area, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Robertson, Condie, Knapp
Thomas Smith

Masters (IS) — 1984, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Ore and clay mineralogy of selected sandstone uranium deposits of the Henry Mountains mining district, Utah

Advisors:

Austin
Matthew Sophy

Masters — 2013, Geology, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geothermal Exploration of the Winston Graben, Central New Mexico, USA

Advisors:

Kelley

Following graduation, Matt went to work as a geologist for ThermaSource, Inc., Geothermal Resource Group, and then became senior geologist at Ormat Technologies, Inc.
Jack Sterrett

— Stephen Wells Bright Star Intern

Jack worked in the Bureau of Geology's argon geochronology laboratory completed tasks like crushing rocks, sieving, acid washing, heavy liquid separation, and concentrating minerals of interest for ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronology, as well as other general tasks that contributed to the functioning and organization of the mineral separation facility. This project was relevant to his interest in volcanology.
Joseph Stroud

Masters — 1997, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

The geochronology of the Raton-Clayton volcanic field with implications for volcanic history and landscape evolution

Advisors:

McIntosh, Chapin, Heizler, Kyle

Following graduation, Joe worked at an accountant and budget manager before moving to the US Forest Service as a staff accountant.
Stacey Sudlow (nee Perilli)

Masters — 2000, Geochemistry, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar And Fission-Track Thermochronology Of The Central Trans-Hudson Orogen, Manitoba, Canada

Advisors:

Heizler, Kelley, Condie, Goodwin

Following graduation, Stacey went to work as a chief observer on a marine seismic crew for Kinetex, Inc. She later joined Arcis in the position of Data Library/Reservoir Geoscientist.
Samuel Tachie-Menson

Masters — 2006, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Characterization of the acid-producing potential and investigation of its effect on weathering of the Goathill North Rock Pile at the Questa Molybdenum Mine, New Mexico

Advisors:

McLemore, Mojabai, Chavez, Brandvold

Sammy graduated in 2006 and became first a Senior Mining Engineer, then later a Haulage Manager with Freeport-McMoRan Inc.
J Michael Timmons

PhD — 2004, Geology, University of New Mexico

Dissertation:

Mesoproterozoic Tectonic Evolution Of Southwestern North America: Protracted Intracratonic Deformation, Sedimentation, And Differential Exhumation In Grand Canyon And The Rocky Mountain Region.

Advisors:

Karlstrom, Heizler, Crossey, Smith

After completing his PhD., Mike joined the New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources as a geologist, Deputy Director, and Program Manager of the Geologic Mapping Program.

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Zora Toline-Minefee

— Stephen Wells Bright Star Intern
Lani Tsinnajinnie

PhD — 2018, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Impacts of climate change on the hydrology of the Chuska Mountains

Advisors:

Wilson, Frisbee, Crossey, Cadol, Rinehart, Person

Following graduation, Lani became an Assistant Professor in Community and Regional Planning at the University of New Mexico, specializing in mountain and watershed hydrology. Her research focuses on groundwater and surface water interactions in semiarid regions and the impacts of climate change on mountainous watersheds.

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Camilo Uribe Mogollon

PhD — 2018, Geology, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

White Phyllosilicate Geochemistry - Vetoring Porphyry Ore Deposits

Advisors:

Maher, Chavez, Lueth, Walder

Following graduation, Camilo was hired as a Technical Development Geologist for SM Energy in Denver, Colorado
Zachary Vance

Masters — 2013, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Genesis of the Hydrothermal Ree-Fluorite-Ag-Pb-Cu Ore Deposits of the Gallinas Mountains, New Mexico

Advisors:

Lueth, Campbell, Mozley

Following graduation, Zach moved to a post-MS program at Los Alamos National Laboratory, then became a Senior Customer Support Engineers at PerkinElmer, Inc. for ICP-OES and ICP-MS products.
Jesus Velador

PhD — 2010, Geology, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Timing And Origin Of Intermediate Sulfidation Epithermal Veins And Geochemical Zoning In The Fresnillo District, Mexico: Constrained By ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar Geochronology, Fluid Inclusions, Gas Analysis, Stable Isotopes And Metal Ratios

Advisors:

Campbell, Heizler, Axen

Jesus is now a Corporate Manager of Brownfields Explorations for ‎Fortuna Silver Mines in Durango, Mexico.
Shirley Wade

Masters (IS) — 1992, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

A hydrothermal study to estimate vertical groundwater flow in the Canutillo well field

Advisors:

Reiter

Shirley works as a hydrogeologist for the Texas Water Development Board specializing in groundwater modeling.
Timothy Wallin

Masters — 1983, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Stratigraphy and paleoenvironments of the Engle Coal Field, Sierra County, New Mexico

Advisors:

MacMillan, Johnson, Wolberg

After graduating Tim went on to get his PhD from University of Kansas. He worked many years as an associate professor at University of Nevada Las Vegas before moving on to be a water rights program manager for the Oregon Water Resources Department, then an independent geologist.
James M. Watrus

Masters — 1998, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

A regional geochemical Atlas for part of Socorro County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Kyle, McLemore, Chapin, Norman

Following graduation, Jim worked for several consulting companies, and was then, in 2006, was employed as a hydrologist, and then senior hydrologist, by the Southern Nevada Water Authority.
Thom I. Wilch

PhD — 1997, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

Volcanic Record of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet in Marie Byrd Land

Advisors:

McIntosh, Kyle, Mozley, Smith

Following graduation, Thom accepted a faculty position at Albion College in the Department of Geological Sciences. where he became Department Chair in 2008. He also served as NSF Antarctic Program Manager for 2 years, starting in 2015.

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William Jr. Wilkinson

Masters — 1976, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Geology of the Tres Montosas-Cat Mountain Area, Socorro County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Chapin, Condie, Smith
Jeffrey Winick

Masters — 2000, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Excess argon (⁴⁰ArE) in melt inclusion bearing quartz and sanidine from the Bishop and Bandelier Tuffs

Advisors:

McIntosh, Dunbar, Kyle

Following graduation, Jeff gained employment with Schlumberger Water Services, and then moved to Mighty River Power where he pursued research and exploration in Chile and New Zealand. In 2014, he moved back to Schlumberger, located in Denver.
Carmen Winn

PhD — 2019, Geology, University of New Mexico

Dissertation:

Constraining the drainage evolution of the Grand Canyon region by analyzing detrital zircon and sanidine of Paleogene river deposits

Advisors:

Karlstrom, Heizler, ?

As of 2021, Carmen is a Postdoctoral Appointee at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM.
Ashlynne Winton

Masters — 2019, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

The characterization of legacy uranium mines in New Mexico

Advisors:

Walder, Chavez, Frey, Mojtabai

Following graduation, Ashlynne went to work for New Mexico Environment Department, focusing on groundwater quality.
Virgina Wong

PhD — 1998, University of Texas at El Paso

Dissertation:

Gamma-ray characterization of Uranium-series nuclides and its application to the study of the Pena Blanca natural analogue site, Chihuahua, Mexico.

Advisors:

Lueth, ?
Weiqiang Wu

Masters (IS) — 1987, Geology, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Subsurface geology and petroleum potential in the Trinidad Sandstone and associated formations in the Raton Basin, southeastern Colorado and northeastern New Mexico

Advisors:

Wu moved back to China and worked in the Chinese petroleum industry.
Zhidi Wu

Masters — 2018, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Effect of CO²-brine-rock interactions on the strength of sandstones at reservoir conditions

Advisors:

Luhmann, Mozley, and Rinehart

Following graduation, Zhidi went on to pursue a PhD in the Energy and Geosciences Institute at the University of Utah.
William Wyman

Masters — 1980, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Precambrian geology of the Cow Creek Ultramafic Complex, San Miguel County, New Mexico

Advisors:

Robertson, Norman, Condie
Fei (Esther) Xu

Masters — 2018, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Modeling Focused Recharge Through Ephemeral Streams for the Entire Sate of New Mexico

Advisors:

Newton, Phillips, Cadol

Esther went on to pursue a PhD in the Whiting School of Engineering at Johns Hopkins.
Taylor Yazzie

— Stephen Wells Bright Star Intern

Taylor's senior project, partly supported by a Bright Star scholarship, focuses on compiling information on groundwater quality in the Navajo Nation. She presented her results at the 2023 AISES national meeting.
Daniel Young

Masters — 2019, Geology, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Structure, Tectonics and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar Geochronology, Picuris Range, NM

Advisors:

Heizler, ?
John Young

Masters — 1982, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Late Cenozoic geology of the lower Rio Puerco, Valencia and Socorro Counties, New Mexico

Advisors:

Hawley, Johnson, Hamil
Matthew Zimmerer

Masters — 2008, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

The ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronology and thermochronology of the Latir volcanic field and associated intrusions: Implications for caldera-related magmatism

Advisors:

McIntosh, Lipman, Kyle, Heizler

PhD — 2012, New Mexico Tech

Dissertation:

The Volcanic-Plutonic relationship at three contrasting Rio-Grande-Rift-Faulted Calderas

Advisors:

McIntosh, Lipman, Kyle, Heizler

Following graduation, Matt began post-doctoral research at New Mexico Tech. From there, he moved to a research position with the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources.

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William Zutah

Masters — 2017, New Mexico Tech

Thesis:

Mineral Resources Evaluation and Environmental Impact Assessment Mines in the Rosedale District, Socorro County, New Mexico

Advisors:

McLemore, Mojtabai, Chavez

Bureau-supported Alumni

Pedro Acosta-Gongora

Maqsood Ali

Jose F. Alberto Amarante

Daniel Amoakoh

Scott Anderholm

John B. Anderson

Jordan Curtis Anderson

Kojo Anim

Robert Appelt

Brian Arkell

John Asafo-Akowuah

Indira Glenn Balkissoon

Heather Barnes

Margaret (Peggy) Barroll

Paul Bauer

William (Chris) Beck

Michael Berry

David Birney

Nigil Blamey

Kwaku K. Boakye

Danny Bobrow

Jenny Boryta

Suzanne Michelle Bourret

Samuel Bowring

Brian Brister

Lee Brouillard

Elise Brower

David Brown

Reid Brown

James Bruning

Samantha Caldwell

Dylan Canales

Vanessa Candida de Viterbo

Bayani Cardenas

Alan Carmichael

Heather Casey

Steven Cather

Eda Celep

Richard Chamberlin

Olivia Chavez

Colin T. Cikoski

Gerry Clarkson

Robert Colpitts

Jessica Cox

Jessie Crain

Josh Crook

Gina D'Ambrosio-Gunther

Brianna Detsoi

Ariel Dickens

Haley Dietz

Melissa Dimeo

Paul S. Domski

Kelly M. Donahue

Jenna Donatelli

Bright Duah

Chadwick Eastman

C.L. Edwards

Roberta Eggleston

Ted L. Eggleston

David Ennis

Abraham Escalante

Richard Esser

Elizabeth (Liz) Evenocheck

Elizabeth Evenocheck

Heather (Casey) Fairbanks

Kathleen (Babette) Faris

Josh Feldman

Charles Ferguson

Luiza Aline Fernandes Gutierrez

Walter Fisher

Henry Fleischhauer

Kate Fletcher

Kathryn (Kat) Fletcher

Gertrude Fobiah Ayakwah

Kwame Frempong

Bonnie Frey

Joseph Friedman

Patricia L. Frisch

Joan Gabelman