I have had the privilege of working with many many talented students at EMU. The list below highlights the achievements of each independent research student I have had the pleasure of mentoring or helping to succeed following their undergraduate studies in the Geology, Earth Science, and Environmental Science programs at EMU.
Key
A = Author/co-author on peer-reviewed published journal article
C = Presented at national geology (or other) conference
L = Presented at local/regional geology (or other) conference
M = Published in the EMU McNair Scholars Journal
S = Presented at EMU Undergraduate Symposium
T = Wrote undergraduate thesis
Students listed alphabetically
Collin Bogoski (Professional Geology, BS, '21; C/S)
Research Title: Reproducibility of 10Be in a burned catchment before and after the 2018 Woolsey Fire
Data from this work published in Geomorphology, doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2025.109713
Logan Carney (Earth Science, BS, current; S)
Research Title: Determining exposure ages of glacial erratics from the Sturgis Moraine with in situ 14C and10Be
Ken Ferrell, Jr. (B.S., '21; A/C/M/S)
Research Title: Assessments of streamflow and flooding along the Pere Marquette River, MI
This work was published in the EMU McNair Scholars Research Journal, v. 14, article 4, 2021
Update: Ken successfully defended his MS Thesis in Geographical Information Systems at the University of Arizona in 2024 (Estimating Urban Stormwater Generation Under Future Land Cover Scenarios)
Max Fraleigh (Professional Geology, BS, '18; C/L/S)
Research Title: Analysis of motion on faults associated with the Ste. Genevieve Fault System, eastern Missouri
Award Winner: Best Undergraduate Research Poster Presentation, Michigan Chapter of the American Institute of Professional Geologists
Update: Max is now a Staff Geologist with Zipper Geo Associates in Washington State
Joel Harris (ENVI Geoscience, BS, '21; S)
Research Title: Using an N-type Schmidt Hammer to determine the initial orientation of a displaced glacial erratic
Recipient: EMU Undergraduate Research Stimulus Program
Update: Joel is now a Staff Environmental Scientist with Michigan Consulting & Environmental
Luna Hennig (Physics, BS, current; S)
Research Title: Determining exposure ages of glacial erratics from the Sturgis Moraine with in situ 14C and10Be
Sloane Kennedy (B.S., '20; C/L/S)
Research Title: Is there a link between volcanic eruptions and trackless zircons in northern Australia?
Award Winner: Best Undergraduate Research Poster Presentation, Michigan Chapter of the American Institute of Professional Geologists
Recipient: EMU Undergraduate Research Stimulus Program
Update: Sloane successfully defended her MS Thesis in Geology from Western Washington University in 2023 (Using chemical zoning in minerals to understand magmatic processes at St. Augustine volcano, Alaska) and is now working towards her PhD in Volcanology at Oregon State University
Stephen Ogden (General Geology, BS, '20; S)
Research Title: Using 10Be to understand the glacial history of Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
Update: Steve is now a Project Geologist with the Parsons Corporation
Colin O'Neill (Professional Geology, BS, '23; A/C/S)
Research Title: Effect of the Woolsey Fire on 10Be measurements in stream sand from burned and unburned catchments
Data from this work published in [Geomorphology, doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2025.109713]
Update: Colin is now pursuing his MS in Environmental Scince at the University of Toledo
Alexys Peplinski (ENVI Geoscience, BS, '20; A/S)
Reconstruction depositional orientations of large glacial erratics in a human-disturbed interlobate landscape
Data from this work published in [Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, doi:10.1002/esp.5973]
Update: Lexy is now a Geologist working with Stantec
Brianna Shepherd (Professional Geology, BS, '24; A/C/L/S)
Research Title: Schmidt hammer exposure dating unsuitable in the Great Lakes region? and
Importance of glacial transport distance and rock fractures in Schmidt hammer exposure-age dating?
Data from this work published in [Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, doi:10.1002/esp.5973]
Runner-up: Best Undergraduate Research Poster Presentation, Michigan Chapter of the American Institute of Professional Geologists
Recipient: EMU Undergraduate Research Stimulus Program
Update: Anne is now pursuing her MS in Geoscience at Boise State University
Samantha Skora (General Geology, BS, '23; S)
Research Title: Reproducibility of 10Be measured from stream sand in the Santa Monica Mountains between 2016–2021
Data from this work published in [Geomorphology, doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2025.109713]
Leah VanLandingham (ENVI Hydrology, BS, '20; A/C/S/T)
Research Title: Analysis of meteoric and in-situ 10Be denudation rates in the George River, Tasmania, Australia
Published as [Geochronology, v. 4(1), p. 153–176]
Update: Leah is now an Onsite Program Manager for Envita Solutions