Kathleen Van Wesenbeeck
Phone: (208) 270 - 7052 Email: kvanwese@uwyo.edu
University of Wyoming l Laramie, WY, USA 2023 to present Ph.D. student Geophysics
Idaho State University | Pocatello, ID, USA 2020 to 2023 BSc. Geology, Honors Distinction
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Hydrological processes
Geophysical methods
Subsurface flows
Seismology
Geophysics
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Computer Skills
ArcGIS Pro, Adobe Illustrator, Word, Excel, Minitab, Matlab
FIELD SKILLS
Independent implementation of hydrological field studies
Independent research in an intermittent stream using several geophysical methods (SV, ERT, GPR) and dilution gauging (Q gain/Q loss) using HOBO and EC loggers
Spatial analysis of a watershed using Stream, Intermittency, and Conductivity loggers, as well as pebble count
Collecting geolocated samples for XRF analysis and mapping features in the field using ArcGIS Pro
Collecting Ksat data of the vadose zone using an Amoozemeter
PRESENTATIONS
Van Wesenbeeck, K., Finney, B., Shapley, M., Past Productivity of Lakes in Idaho: Relationships to Climatic Change presented at 2021 Idaho State University Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 8.
Kindred, T., Godsey, S., Hale, R., Aho, K., Wu, D., Van Wesenbeeck, K., Spatial Intermittency Models of Gibson Jack (ID, USA) Reveal the Importance of Identifying the Drivers of Intermittency: Abstract H45P-1364 presented at 2021 Fall American Geophysical Union Meeting, December 13-17.
Van Wesenbeeck, K., Godsey, S., Clanton, J., Subsurface Controls and Characteristics for Gaining and Losing Segments of Streams: Abstract #122 presented at 2022 Summer Idaho Conference for Undergraduate Research, 20-21 July.
Van Wesenbeeck, K., Godsey, S., Clanton, J., Subsurface Controls and Characteristics for Gaining and Losing Segments of Streams presented at 2022 Summer McNair Summer Research Institute, 28 July.
Van Wesenbeeck, K., Godsey, S., Carr, B., Subsurface Controls and Characteristics for Gaining and Losing Segments of Streams presented at 2021 Fall American Geophysical Union Meeting, 12-16 December.
Undergraduate Researcher August 2021 – August 2023
Idaho State University, Department of Geosciences
Advisor: Dr. Sarah E. Godsey
Independent research on intermittent streams and subsurface characteristics for losing or gaining segments of streams
Used several different geophysical instruments (GPR, SV, IRT)
Assisted Graduate Student Research regarding spatial drying patterns
Funding support: ISU Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program, Dept. of Education (P217A170169) and the National Science Foundation, Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) award (NSF EAR-1653998) and CPI (Career Path Internship) by Idaho State University
Research Assistant August 2021 – August 2023
Idaho State University, Department of Teaching and Educational Sciences
Advisor: Dr. Cory Benett, Dr. Shannon Kobs Nawotniak
Developed a website for upper elementary-aged students and teachers nationwide interested in science, but with focus on Idaho Earth Sciences
Adapted teaching and hands-on experiences for age-appropriate learning modules that encourage active observation and interpretation
Student lead in 2022, overseeing several other students
created a series of educational videos to help kids learn about earth science concepts
Funded by INL (Idaho National Laboratory), Idaho STEM Action Center, and additional support for student internships from the Idaho Space Grant Consortium
Undergraduate Research Assistant Summer 2021
Idaho State University, Department of Geosciences
Advisor: Dr. Sarah Godsey
How sensitive is discharge at the rain-snow transition zone to the spatial and temporal distribution of surface water inputs?
Undergraduate Research Assistant Summer 2021
Idaho State University, Department of Geosciences
Advisor: Dr. Shannon Nawotniak Kobs
Water-lava interaction in Table Butte, ID
Undergraduate Research Assistant Summer 2021
Idaho State University, Department of Geosciences
Advisor: Dr. Sarah Godsey
Spatial drying patterns in the Gibson Jack, ID area
Undergraduate Independent Research January 2021 – February 2022
Idaho State University, Department of Geosciences
Advisor: Dr. Bruce Finney
Analyzed sediment core samples using stable isotopes
Independent Research 1998-2003
Recipient of the Jacques Kets Award (typically given to Belgian Masters students for their thesis) provided by the Royal Belgian Zoological Society as a high school student for original research
Characteristics of Hibernacula of Bats and Preference by Species by using hibernacula sediment coverage (WWI and WWII sites such as bunkers, forts, and ice houses)
Tools used are structural maps of forts and bunkers to find a correlation between species preference and different sites and orientations, relative humidity meter, temperature meter, and visual observation regarding site sediment coverage
Key findings of individual species and preference in air draft, temperature, and moisture level
Used to adjust several sites to accommodate individual species of bats
Research has taken over by the University of Amsterdam when I started undergraduate studies at the University of Antwerp, Belgium
OUTREACH EXPERIENCE
Vice President American Association of Petroleum Geologists Idaho State University Student Chapter August 2021 - present
Outreach, Physics, and Astronomy Idaho State University August 2020- present
Hosted science workshops for nearby elementary and high schools, both on-site and off-site
Developed scientific outreach activities that meet current Idaho teaching standards
President Idaho State University Geology Club August 2021-August 2022
Organized and led club meetings, field trips, and fundraisers
START Mentor August 2020 - August 2022
Mentored students attending the Successful Transitions And Retention Track (START) program at Idaho State University
including scheduling college tours, personal support, help with enrolling, signing up for classes, and ordering books
minimum of weekly meetings with prospective students, virtual and in-person
four mentees per semester
AWARDS, FELLOWSHIPS, AND SCHOLARSHIPS
McNair Scholar January 2020- present
Dean’s List August 2019- August 2023
STEM IS U Scholarship 2022-2023
James D Stephens Geology Scholarship 2022-2023
ASISU Scholarship 2022-2023
Honors Research Funding Award 2022-2023
Honors Owl-portunity Scholarship 2021-2022
First Generation Scholarship 2021-2022
Dr. Cynthia Hill Honors Scholarship 2021-2022
ASISU Scholarship 2021-2022
ASISU - Spring Award 2021-2022
Albertsons Foundation Scholarship 2021-2022
STEM is U Scholarship 2020-2021
Honors Owl-portunity Scholarship 2020-2021
Albertsons Foundation Scholarship 2020-2021
Student Success Local Scholar 2020-2021
Recipient of the Jacques Kets Award 2003