Research Group Members
Current M.S. Geology Graduate Students
Anya Castro Mendez, MS anticipated 2025
B.A. California State University Northridge
Virginia Brown, MS Geology 2022
B.S. Appalachian State University
Current position: Geologist at Rio Tinto Copper, Salt Lake City, UT
Matthew Dietel, MS Geology 2021
B.S. West Georgia University
Current position: Geologist with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Professional licenses: Geologist in Training (GIT)
Lonnie Hufford, MS Geology 2018
B.S. Colorado State University
Now at: Ph.D. program at ETH-Zurich with Dr. Whitney Behr
Courtney McGinn, MS Geology 2018
B.S. Colorado School of Mines
Current position: Geologist at Rio Tinto Copper, Salt Lake City, UT
Craig Stewart, MS Geology 2017
B.S. Appalachian State University
Current position: Senior Geologist at Cotton, Shires and Associates, Los Gatos, CA
Professional Licenses: Professional Geologist (PG), Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG)
Jeffery Joseph, MS Geology 2016
B.S. Texas Tech University
Current position: Field Service Technician at Braun Intertec Corporation, TX
and Field Geologist at Rone Engineering Services, TX
Benjamin Moss, MS Geology 2016
B.S. UC Santa Cruz
Current position: Staff Geologist at Cornerstone Earth Group
David Annis, MS Geology 2012
B.S. Fresno State University
Current position: Geologist at US Forest Service, Placerville, CA
Rebecca Greenberg DeMarais, MS Geology 2010
B.S. UCLA
Current position: Senior Geologist at California Resources Corporation (CRC)
Former Senior Thesis and Undergraduate Research Students
Joshua Cottingham
Research Topic: Soil contamination in the Jordan Downs Housing Complex, Watts, California
Patricia Lopez-Lima
Research Topic: Environmental degradation from the City of LA Oil Field, Echo Park, Los Angeles
José Tepal
Research Topic: GIS mapping of environmental and health trends for residents of the Echo Park Neighborhood, Los Angeles
Miguel Zamora-Tamayo, BS Geology, May 2019
Research Topic: Microstructural deformation of the Santa Rosa Mylonites, Eastern Peninsular Range Mylonite Zone, California
Jennifer Bautista, BS Geology, May 2019
Research Topic: Titanite petrochronology of the Borrego Springs Mylonites, Eastern Peninsular Range Mylonite Zone, California
Kelly Lourcey, BS Geology, May 2018
Research Topic: 'Hot' slickensides in the Harquahala Mountains Core Complex, Arizona
James Ingraffia, BS Geology 2015
Current position: Owner of Lithium Arrow LLC; M.S. University of Nevada Reno
Tina Zeidan, BS Geology 2014
M.S. Geology, San Diego State University
Current position: Instructor at Saddleback College, CA
