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Death Valley National Park, Geology department field trip with Bryn Mawr College, March 2014

I regularly teach classes in mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry, and related topics (isotope geochemistry, volcanology, and others) at UNL:

Geology 200. Mineralogy
Taught in the fall semester, this 2-credit class covers crystallography, optical mineralogy, and the properties of the most common rock-forming minerals. Conditions permitting, the course includes a mineral-focused field trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota, with spectacular stops at the Harney Peak granite near Mt. Rushmore, local caves, and an active travertine deposit.

Geology 201. Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
Taught in the spring semester, this 2-credit class covers igneous petrology, metamorphic petrology, basic phase diagrams, microscopy and petrography studies, and the properties of the most common types of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Conditions permitting, the course includes a field trip to the ancient Precambrian gneisses of southern Minnesota.

Geology 110. Deadly Planet
This spring semester class for non-majors explores the science behind geologic natural hazards and catastrophic events, and how that science intersects with society's response and preparation in the face of a dynamic and hazardous world.

Geology 412/812. Volcanology and Igneous Petrology
This advanced undergraduate/graduate level course explores advanced igneous petrography and petrology, an introduction to igneous geochemistry, and an introduction to the study of volcanology. Typically offered in alternate years, depending on interest.

Geology 415/815. Geochemical Thermodynamics
This advanced course explores geochemical thermodynamics from first principles, an important study that is applicable to all geochemical and petrologic systems. Typically offered in alternate years, depending on interest; sometimes is offered as a graduate-only class.

Geology 455/855. Computational Methods for Modeling Earth Systems
This advanced course provides an introduction to statistical and numerical modeling techniques used across the Earth Sciences, primarily using the language python. This class is offered frequently and is co-taught with other EAS faculty.

Geology 499. Independent Study
Students who are interested in exploring igneous petrology or geochemistry and related research may request supervision for independent study credits. Note that I can only supervise a few independent research students per semester, and this is only open to upper level, high-caliber students and with my prior approval. Please request a meeting if you wish to discuss this opportunity.

I am also an instructor for field camp!


Student Research
I supervise undergraduate and graduate students in my research group, either for independent study credit or as funded research students. This has included many independent study and UCARE undergraduate students at UNL, as well as former undergraduates at Bryn Mawr College. I have also supervised a number of graduate students:
  • Yitong Lyu (M.Sc., 2019)
  • Kirby Hobbs (M.Sc., 2020)
  • Juliet Messer (M.Sc., 2021)
  • Nick Richard (Ph.D. candidate, in progress)
  • Logan Soluri (former Ph.D. student, changed projects)
  • Anne Lepow (M.Sc., in progress)
  • Ana Jimenez Bustos (M.Sc., in progress)

UNL undergraduates and prospective graduate students are encouraged to contact me if they think they would like to conduct research as part of my group. I particularly encourage minority and underrepresented students to contact me if they are interested!

For undergraduates at UNL, please be mindful of UCARE funding deadlines if you think you would like to apply for that research funding program: summer research deadlines are at the very beginning of the spring semester, and the deadline for academic year research is only slightly later in the spring semester.

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Prior Teaching Experience
I also taught a wide range of classes in my previous faculty appointment in the Geology Department at Bryn Mawr College (2008-2015):
​EMLY002. Volcanoes and Society (a freshman writing seminar)
GEOL101. Physical Geology Lecture and Labs
GEOL102. Earth History Labs
GEOL103. Earth Systems & Environment Labs
GEOL109. Quantitative Problems in Geoscience (a quantitative skills class)
GEOL110. Molten Rock: The Evolution of Planet Earth (a 7-week short course)
GEOL115. Living With Volcanoes (a 7-week short course)
GEOL202. Mineralogy and Crystal Chemistry
GEOL209. Natural Hazards and Human Populations (a quantitative skills class)
GEOL305. Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
GEOL350. High-Temperature Geochemistry
GEOL399. Senior Thesis Seminar
Department Field Trip to Costa Rica (led 8-day department field trip to explore convergent margin environments, 23 participants)