Teaching Experience
Teaching Awards
- George Schenck Teaching Assistant of the Year, Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (2021)
- Teaching Assistant Award, Penn State Geosciences (2020)
- Jan Tullis Undergraduate Teaching Award, Brown University Geology (2014)
Lead Instructor
Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (ENE 371), Franklin and Marshall College
New project based course in sedimentology and stratigraphy for spring 2026. Sediments and sedimentary rock records provide windows to investigate climatic, tectonic, biologic, and anthropogenic history. This class will examine the processes of sediment transport, deposition, and preservation in the rock record, tracing from source to sink in landscapes over the world. Students will learn how to collect and measure sediments in the field, analyze large international datasets, and interpret the physical and environmental history from stratigraphic sections in the lab and through research driven projects.
Syllabus for Spring 2026
Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (ENE 371), Franklin and Marshall College
New project based course in sedimentology and stratigraphy for spring 2026. Sediments and sedimentary rock records provide windows to investigate climatic, tectonic, biologic, and anthropogenic history. This class will examine the processes of sediment transport, deposition, and preservation in the rock record, tracing from source to sink in landscapes over the world. Students will learn how to collect and measure sediments in the field, analyze large international datasets, and interpret the physical and environmental history from stratigraphic sections in the lab and through research driven projects.
Syllabus for Spring 2026
Teaching Assistant
Physical Geology (GEOSC 001), Penn State University
Introductory course for majors & non majors.
Virtual Field Investigations (GEOSC 497), Penn State University
3 week, virtual capstone experience, covering stratigraphy, geologic mapping, geomorphology, structure, and thermal histories of the western US. Developed virtual field trip alternatives during summer 2020, based on field surveys in 2018 & 2019.
Field Camp (GEOSC 472a & 472b), Penn State University
Field camp is a 6 week course out west, based out of Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and Utah. Covers stratigraphy, geologic mapping, geomorphology, structure, volcanics, and thermal modeling.
Advanced Field Stratigraphy (GEOSC 572), Penn State University
Graduate course on the field study of sedimentary rocks, with a 10 day field trip to Guadalupe Mountains National Park to measure carbonate stratigraphy and facies. I developed virtual field trip alternatives for the Pennsylvania field trips during spring 2020
Introductory Field Geology (GEOSC 470), Penn State University
Local field course primarily for non-majors, covering field mapping and interpretation.
Structural Geology (GEOL 1450), Brown University
Equilibrium, Rate, and Structure (CHEM 0330), Brown University
Physical Geology (GEOSC 001), Penn State University
Introductory course for majors & non majors.
- 2021 | Head TA (lab)
Virtual Field Investigations (GEOSC 497), Penn State University
3 week, virtual capstone experience, covering stratigraphy, geologic mapping, geomorphology, structure, and thermal histories of the western US. Developed virtual field trip alternatives during summer 2020, based on field surveys in 2018 & 2019.
- 2021 | Head TA (hybrid)
- 2020 | Head TA (virtual) | press
Field Camp (GEOSC 472a & 472b), Penn State University
Field camp is a 6 week course out west, based out of Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and Utah. Covers stratigraphy, geologic mapping, geomorphology, structure, volcanics, and thermal modeling.
- 2019 | Head TA: 472a & 472b | press
- 2018 | TA: 472a & 472b
Advanced Field Stratigraphy (GEOSC 572), Penn State University
Graduate course on the field study of sedimentary rocks, with a 10 day field trip to Guadalupe Mountains National Park to measure carbonate stratigraphy and facies. I developed virtual field trip alternatives for the Pennsylvania field trips during spring 2020
- 2020 | TA (virtual, field trip delayed)
Introductory Field Geology (GEOSC 470), Penn State University
Local field course primarily for non-majors, covering field mapping and interpretation.
- 2017, 2018 | TA
Structural Geology (GEOL 1450), Brown University
- 2012, 2013 | TA (undergrad)
Equilibrium, Rate, and Structure (CHEM 0330), Brown University
- 2013 | TA (undergrad)
Video compilation of Field Camp 2019
Mentoring
Franklin and Marshall College
S. Yang, E. Craver, & L. Federman, Earth and Environmental Science Hackman summer research (2026)
Project: Paleoclimate, tectonic & lithologic controls on Appalachian permafrost deposits
N. Ford, Earth and Environmental Science Hackman summer research (2026)
Project: Constraining spatial variability in water temperature along the Little Connestoga from distributed sensors and thermal drones
S. Sexton, Earth and Environmental Science Independent Study (2026)
Project: Investigating groundwater-surface water connectivity in restoration sites with thermal drone imagery
T. Wolpert, Earth and Environmental Science BSc. Independent Study (2025-26)
Project: Reconstructing restoration impacts on flooding along the Blue-Green Connector with HEC-RAS
Simon Fraser University
E. Fairley, MSc. student (2024-)
Project: Flume experiments on sediment dynamics through alluvial-bedrock transitions
C. Ross, MSc. student (2025-), Environmental science senior thesis (2023-24)
Projects: Rapids of the Fraser Canyon (MSc); Revealing dynamic sediment cover and sediment storage in the Fraser Canyon with repeat multibeam bathymetry (BSc.)
- Presented poster at AGU 2023
- SFU news article on her work
M. Wright, BCSCRIF post-masters researcher (2023-24)
Projects: Modeling velocity-discharge relationships in the Fraser River, controls on the hydraulics of rapids
- Presented talk at AGU 2023
K. Baird, SFU Environmental science senior thesis (2023-24)
Project: Debris flows from the 2021 atmospheric river
- Presented poster at AGU 2023
A. Lee, S. Standen, E. Anderson, BCSRIF research and GIS techs (2023-24)
Projects: Constraining patterns in bedrock river surface velocity from particle image velocimetry
S. Sabor, BCSRIF tech (summer 2023)
Project: Quantifying bedrock exposure along the Fraser River, British Columbia
R. Tailor, BCSCRIF tech (spring 2023)
Project: Constraining topographic metrics for bedrock exposure along the Fraser River, British Columbia
Penn State
M. Kita, NSF GEMT student (2021-2022)
Project: Quantifying fluvial and structural controls on bedrock channel width in Taiwan's Eastern Central Range
- Presented poster at 2022 Northeastern GSA meeting
- Best poster in the 2022 Celebration of Undergraduate Engagement showcase (PSU EMS)
C. M. Erikson, NSF REU/GEMT student (2020-2021)
Project: Quantifying spatiotemporal patterns of grain size, roughness, and flow resistance in the Liwu River, Taiwan
- Presented poster at 2020 AGU Fall Meeting
A. Clark, NASA PA Space Grant WISER (Women in Science and Research) Research Intern (2020-2021)
Project: Quantifying boulder mobility in the Taiwan Central Range with repeat drone surveys
M. N. Yusri, Geosciences BS senior thesis student (2019-20)
Project: Quantifying the impact of coarse sediment input from landslides and tributaries on river morphology in the Lele River, Taiwan
C. M. Kohlman, NASA PA Space Grant WISER Research Intern (2019)
Project: Relating grain size distribution and bed change to typhoon discharge in Swallow Gorge, Taiwan
- Highlighted in this news article about the 2019 the WISER research symposium
- Best sophomore presentation in the 2020 Celebration of Undergraduate Engagement showcase
T. Wu, NASA PA Space Grant WISER Research Intern (2018)
Project: Alluvial fans and debris flow mapping in Saline Valley, CA
Association for Women Geoscientists (AWG)
I was actively involved with the Penn State chapter of the Association for Women Geoscientists throughout my time in grad school. I served as a co-president (2020-21 school year), mentor-mentee program coordinator (2021-22), and webmaster (2018-22), and led discussions on accessibility in geology and accessibility in conferences.
AWG is a student led group in the geosciences department that runs events to promote discussion and community within the department and with visiting scholars, runs a mentorship program to pair undergraduate students with graduate mentors, and fundraises for scholarships for field camp, undergraduate conference attendance, and more. Check out our poster for AGU 2019 or read the abstract!
AWG is a student led group in the geosciences department that runs events to promote discussion and community within the department and with visiting scholars, runs a mentorship program to pair undergraduate students with graduate mentors, and fundraises for scholarships for field camp, undergraduate conference attendance, and more. Check out our poster for AGU 2019 or read the abstract!
