PhD Research Projects - Idaho State University & University of Idaho - August 2024-Present

Spectral Signatures of Water-Lava Interaction at Mud Lake, Idaho: Defining End-Members for Mars Analog Studies

• Conducted field work to collect spectral data and hand samples at The Breaks in SE Idaho

• Presented research results at the following conferences:

  • Geological Society of America national conference - San Antonio, TX - October 2025

  • Space Point iLife - Planetary Science conference - Bosie, ID - October 2025

Master’s Thesis Research Project – East Carolina University – August 2021-July 2024

Constraints on Subvolcanic Magma Plumbing System Evolution from Crystal Size Distribution Analysis of Igneous Groundmass 

• Conducted fieldwork and collected a suite of samples throughout the Copper Ridge Laccolith in the Henry Mountains in Central Utah 

• Utilized microprobes, SEM, EBSD image processing, ImageJ, and CSDcorrections to produce data for analysis and analyze data 

• Presented research results with a poster at the Geological Society of America national conference (October 2022), at the American Geophysical Union conference (December 2023), and an oral presentation at the Southeastern GSA section meeting (April 2024) 

Undergraduate Research Project - Southern Utah University – 2019-2021

Petrologic and Geochemical Analysis of the Harmony Hills Tuff 

• Utilized the microprobe at Stanford University to produce data for analysis 

• Conducted fieldwork to collect samples to prepare thin sections 

• Presented research results with a poster at the Geological Society of America national conference (September 2019) 

RIGS Program - RoadMaps Into Geoscience - University of Missouri Science and Technology – Summer 2019

NSF Funded Undergraduate Student Research Program at Missouri S&T 

• Completed 50 hours of job shadowing with governmental agencies including the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and Department of Natural Resources 

• Completed Introduction to Geoscience Research Methodologies Course - 3 credit hours 

Lab Instructor & Teacher Assistant - Idaho State University - August 2025-Present

• Lab Instructor - GEOL 1100: Dynamic Earth 

• Lab Instructor & TA - GEOL 3313: Earth Materials 1 (Mineralogy)

Adjunct Professor – Southern Utah University – January-April 2024 

• •     Developed engaging online geology courses and lab activities in alignment with curriculum objectives using multimedia resources and emerging technologies  

  •     Implemented effective strategies to promote student engagement and interaction in online classes

Lab Instructor & Teacher Assistant – East Carolina University – August 2021-Present 

• Lab Instructor – GEOL 1501: Dynamic Earth – Instructed multiple lab sections, created and assessed assignments, set up labs and activities, managed the Canvas course 

• TA – GEOL 4000: Summer Geology Field Course – Assisted instructor on ECU’s 5-week Field Course – guided students on correct field methods and mapping concepts, consulted on curriculum preparation 

• TA – GEOL 3300/3301: Structural Geology – Assisted instructor with grading, curriculum preparation, field trip planning, and implementation, provided individual tutoring 

Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics – East Carolina University – July 2023 
Assistant instructor for the “Global Environmental Monitoring: Technologies and Applications” course 

• Collaborated with eight high school students in developing and implementing research projects 

• Partnered with governmental and non-governmental agencies to facilitate student participation in authentic geoscience research within a limited timeframe   

• Presented student research results and using Summer Ventures as a model for establishing partnerships to facilitate student research as a poster at the Geological Society of America national conference (October 2023) 

Student Teacher - Cedar High School – January-May 2021
High School Earth Science Teacher  

• Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans aligned with Utah curriculum standards for Earth and Space Science, Geology, and Environmental Science 

• Collaborated with mentor teachers to foster a positive and inclusive learning environment to enhance student participation, differentiated instruction to meet diverse learning needs, assessed student progress through various evaluation methods and provided feedback, successfully managed classroom dynamics and effectively resolved disciplinary issues, and integrated educational technology to enhance lesson delivery and student engagement 

• Completed all state requirements for the Secondary Teaching License in Earth and Space Science in the State of Utah - April 2021 

Teachers Assistant & Geology Tutor - SUU Tutoring Center & SUU Geology Department – 2018-2020 

• Created and assessed assignments, organized labs and activities, provided support during field trips 

• Led group and individual tutoring sessions providing differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse student knowledge levels by implementing various teaching strategies  

Earth Science Research Explorers - SUU STEM Center - Fall 2020-May 2021 

• Discovered ways to apply research-based Earth Science teaching methods to lessons fulfilling the Utah state core science standards 

• Developed and piloted Earth Science lessons to K-12 students within Iron County School District
   

Professional Memberships: Geological Society of America (GSA), American Geophysical Union (AGU), Association for Women Geoscientists (AWG), National Association for Geoscience Teachers (NAGT), Sigma Gamma Epsilon (SGE) (geoscience honor society), American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) 

Graduate Student / Faculty Representative - University of Idaho - 2024-2025

• Represented geoscience graduate students to the faculty. Addressed any issues that came up with confidentiality and tact. 

Student Chair of the Student Organizing Committee for ECU’s Student Research Symposium 

• Collaborated with the Chair of the committee in event planning and preparation, demonstrated effective communication with the Chair and other committee members and student presenters 

ECU Geology Department Newsletter Committee 

• Developed sections of the annual newsletter, communicated effectively with committee members and encouraged student participation 

Geology Instagram Page - @ RockTalksWithTess  

• Created engaging written and visual content educating others about geology on Instagram 

Presidential Ambassador SUU - 2014-2015 

• Supervised high school students to ensure their safety and enjoyment, coordinated and actively participated in events aimed at promoting SUU, demonstrated effective communication skills in both leadership and follower roles. 

Secretary of SUU Geology Club and Sigma Gamma Epsilon- Geology Honor Society - 2018-2021 

• Organized and participated in chapter meetings by recording minutes, planning agendas, and assigning tasks  

• Engaged in volunteer and community outreach activities  

• Social Media Coordinator for @ SUU_Geo_Club Instagram page (2019-2021) creating engaging content promoting the Geology program at SUU 

Secretary of the Teach STEM Club- SUU - 2018- May 2021 

• Coordinated and participated in club meetings by recording minutes, assigning tasks, and organizing agendas 

• Organized and engaged in volunteer and community outreach events and activities  

• NASA Idaho Space Consortium Travel Grant to attend the International Volcanological Field School hosted by the University of Alaska Fairbanks

• Geologic Society of America - Lipman Research Award for Research in Volcanology and Petrology - $2500 

• SUU College of Science and Engineering Skaggs Undergraduate Research Award - $1880 

• GSA Travel Grants – Southeastern Section Fall 2022 Meeting, Rocky Mountain Section Fall 2019 Meeting 

• Dean's List, Southern Utah University, Fall 2014, Fall 2019 

• Graduate Student Service Award, ECU Department of Geological Sciences, Spring 2023  

• Undergraduate Scholarships: Geosciences Departmental Scholarship, Deans Scholarship Award (four years)