������

GENESEO, N.Y. -- Twelve ������ students and two recent College alumni presented their Geneseo-mentored research projects Oct. 22-25 at the annual Meeting in Seattle, Wash.

GSA is one of the largest gatherings of geoscientists from across the nation and abroad. Approximately 5,000 geoscientists presented their projects in multiple facets of the discipline including petrology, paleontology, and geoscience education. Students had the opportunity to interact with other presenters and top researchers in the field.

Attending GSA really showed me that geology is such a diverse area of study, and provided a chance to see success outside of Geneseo is within reach,” said Melissa Hartwig ’18, a geophysics major from Canandaigua, N.Y. “I feel the Geneseo offers a lot of opportunity for learning and really expands the field of geology; we are prepared for the workforce.”

Hartwig’s project was called “Preliminary Analysis of Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility and Paleo Magnetic Fabrics Within Exhumed Portions of the Nankai Accretionary Complex, Kii Peninsula, Japan.” Her advisor was Scott Giorgis, professor of structural geology, tectonics.

Alumnus Matthew Nigro ’17, a geological sciences alumnus from Altona, N.Y., said the highlight of the conference was the opportunity to network with major researchers in the field.

“I was able to talk to Dr. Carl Brett, a leading figure in paleontology,” said Nigro. “It was really neat to talk and learn from someone whose work I have studied for years.”

His experimental taphonomy project was titled “The Effects of Sediment Grain Size on Microbial and Mineral Film Growth on Tissues.” His advisor was Lindsay MacKenzie, visiting assistant professor of geological sciences.

Other conference presenters with project title and faculty sponsors included:

Amelia Mindich, a senior geological science major from New City, N.Y. “Assessment of Wave Processes Affecting the Erosion of Spirit Island.” Her research was associated with a summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) project.

Cameron Cummings, a senior geochemistry major from Farmington, N.Y. “Degree of Pyritization of Varying Tissue Types: A Taphonomy Experiment.” Faculty advisor: Lindsay MacKenzie, visiting assistant professor of geological sciences.

Anne Kelly, a senior geological sciences major with a business studies minor from Endicott, N.Y.  “Morphometry and Origin of Hesperian to Amazonian: Age Valley Networks on Xanthe terra, Mars.” Faculty advisor: Nicholas Warner, assistant professor, planetary geology, remote sensing, geomorphology.

Timothy Clark, a junior geological sciences major from Scotia, N.Y. “Effects of Exposure Prior to Burial on Preservation of Detailed Morphology in Fossil Nereis.” Faculty advisor: Lindsay MacKenzie, visiting assistant professor of geological sciences.

Leanna Mclane, a senior geological sciences major from Rochester, N.Y. “Constraints on Uplift from Geomorphic Analysis of a Digital Elevation Model of the Central Range Mountains, Trinidad.” Faculty advisor: Scott Giorgis, professor of structural geology, tectonics.

Josephine Chiarello and Emily Hauf. Josephine is a junior geological sciences major from New Woodstock, N.Y., and Emily is a senior geological sciences major with an environmental studies minor from Marion, N.Y. “Biostratigraphy, Sea Level Change, and Disconformities in the Upper Devonian Chattanooga Shale of Western Tennessee Based on Conodonts and Magnetic Susceptibility.” Faculty advisor: Jeffery Over, professor earth history, stratigraphy.

Mary Legawiec, a senior geological sciences major and an environmental studies minor from Ballston Spa, N.Y. “Influence of Microbial Biofilms on the Preservation of Soft Tissue in Snails.” Faculty advisor: Lindsay MacKenzie, visiting assistant professor of geological sciences.

Andrew Schuyler, a junior geological sciences major from Lyons, N.Y. “Bringing Geological Collections into the Online World.” Faculty advisor: Dori Farthing, associate professor and department chair, earth materials, environmental geology.

Brennan Voorheis, a senior geological sciences major with a mathematics minor from Montour Falls, N.Y. “Utilizing Reflectance Spectrometry to Define the Hue, Value, and Chroma of Colors.” Faculty advisor: Dori Farthing, associate professor and department chair, earth materials, environmental geology.

Brandon Perpall, a senior geological sciences major from Westbury, N.Y. “Exploring Paleomagnetism as a Tool for Resolving the Timing of Igneous Intrusions in the Mount Tallac Metamorphic Roof Pendant; Desolation Wilderness Area, Eldorado National Forest, Calif.” Faculty advisor: Scott Giorgis, professor of structural geology, tectonics.

Alumna:
Julianne Sweeney ’16, a geological sciences major from Geneseo, N.Y. “Degradation of Small Impact Craters: Erosion Rates and Mars Climate.” Faculty advisor: Nicholas Warner, assistant professor planetary geology, remote sensing, geomorphology.

News release written by College Communications and Marketing intern Kitrick McCoy ’18.