Undergraduate Student Mentoring
Mentoring Philosophy
Science is a collaboration - every party brings different perspectives, knowledge, and purpose to a given project. As a PhD student, I have had the privilege and opportunity to work with undergraduate students on various research projects. My approach to mentoring is centered around providing support to student (technically, logistically, scientifically) to gain the experience they want out of a given project, in order to lead to successful research outcomes and co-creation of knowledge. Throughout a project, I have continuing conversation with the student about:
(1) their research topic interests (i.e. is the student more interested in structural geology or metamorphic petrology? Both? Science Communication-focused project?);
(2) what kind of experience they would like to get out of doing research (do they want to learn a specific method/technique? Apply knowledge from a different background/topic/course to a given project? Gain a better understanding of a specific scientific question/topic? Present at a conference?
(3) the amount of time they are able and willing to dedicate to research, how long they would like to work on a project, and in what capacity (for course credit, as a paid position, etc.), and-
(4) logistics and support, establishing a timeline and giving the student tools to be able to successfully carry out their project. I will usually meet with student on a regular (1 or 2-week) basis to check-in and discuss progress/results and/or additional ways I can provide support.
Undergraduate Student Research Projects
Lexi Stricker | 2020-2021
Relationships between quartz and garnet in mineral inclusion-host systems
Lexi used petrography, XRCT, EBSD and EPMA analyses to investigate the relationships between quartz inclusions in garnet in an upper-staurolite zone sample from the Dutchess County, NY Barrovian sequence to investigate the deformation history of the rock and the relationships between these minerals during and after entrapment. Her project resulted in her an undergraduate Thesis project!
Nick Moore | Fall 2021
Analysis of composition and textures of coexisting kyanite, andalusite, and sillimanite
Nick is using petrography and EPMA to characterize the textures and trace element composition of co-existing aluminosilicate polymorphs (andalusite, sillimanite, kyanite) in rocks from Turkey and Norway. ultimately, we hope he will be able to get Oxygen-isotope analyses of the aluminosilicate polymorphs at UW Madison-Wisconsin to investigate fluids!
Paxton Buboltz | Fall 2021
Identification and analysis of mineral inclusions in garnet, Skagit gneiss, North Cascades
Paxton is using the microprobe (EPMA) to identify different minerals included in garnets from the North Cascade using EDS. Paxton is also hoping to get element maps of garnets to reveal any chemical zoning to better understand the formation history of these rocks, and determine if the garnets interacted with or if their formation resulted from melting.