Examples of topics completed by undergraduates as part of their capstone research experience in Geology over the past 5 years are listed below; a comprehensive list of the ~500 projects completed since 1972 can be accessed through the Geology Senior Thesis page.

Interns, Lab Assistants and Researchers (publications/presentations produced from this work can be found here)

Current | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Current

• Breeden, Benjamin (UM undergraduate)
  A stable isotopic investigation of resource partitioning among neosauropod dinosaurs of the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation
  Advisor: Drs. Holtz, Kaufman, Carrano
• Collins, Jennifer (UM undergraduate)
  Locating the Westminster-Potomac Terrane Boundary in the Maryland Piedmont Province
  Advisor: Drs. Martin, Piccoli
• Connolly, Brian (UM undergraduate)
  HSE and Re-Os systematics of the 3.3 Ga Weltevreden komatiites from the Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa: Implications for early Earth’s mantle evolution
  Advisor: Dr. Puchtel
• Farrell, Adam (UM undergraduate)
  Carbon Dioxide Storage in Stable Carbonate Minerals
  Advisor: Dr. Evans
• Keane, James (UM undergraduate)
  Lithospheric Extension on Icy Satellites
  Advisor: Dr. Montesi
• Michalitsianos, Gerasimos (UM undergraduate)
  Time Dependence of Postseismic Creep Following Two Strike-Slip Earthquakes
  Advisor: Dr. Montesi
• Ohly, Rebecca (UM undergraduate)
  Geochemistry of apatite from the carbonatite and associated alkaline rocks of the Magnet Cove Igneous Complex, Hot Spring County, Arkansas
  Advisor: Dr. Piccoli
• Watter, Katherine (UM undergraduate)
  Water Weakening and Temperature Effects on the Deformation and Transport Properties of Indiana Limestone
  Advisor: Dr. Zhu

2010

• Baril, Tyler (UM undergraduate)
  Assessment of Natural Gas Production Potential in the Devonian Marcellus Shale of Pennsylvania
  Advisor: Dr. Kaufman
• Deane, T.J. (UM undergraduate)
  W-WO₂ and W-WO₃ Oxygen Fugacity Relationship at High Temperature and Pressure
  Advisor: Dr. Campbell
• Dietderich, Jesse (UM undergraduate)
  Modeling Fractional Crystallization of Group IIAB Iron Meteorites
  Advisor: Dr. Walker
• Fisher, Steven (UM undergraduate)
  Investigation of the age and origin of the Sykesville Formation in Maryland
  Advisors: Drs. Martin and Piccoli
• Jenner, Brittany (UM undergraduate)
  Hydraulic Consequences of Invasive Hydrilla (submerged aquatic vegetation) in Tidal Channels: Implications for Wetland Maintenance
  Advisor: Dr. Prestegaard
• Khenissi, Heyfa (UM undergraduate)
  Sulfur isotopic composition and concentration in throughfall and precipitation samples from a suburban forest
  Advisor: Dr. Prestegaard
• Ohaka, Stanley (UM undergraduate)
  Evolution of Porosity and Permeability during Brittle Faulting
  Advisor: Dr. Zhu
• Regen, Sarah (UM undergraduate)
  Fluid-Rock Interactions: Lithium Concentrations in Minerals from a block in the Franciscan Complex, California
  Advisors: Drs. Penniston-Dorland, Piccoli, McDonough

2009

• Dangol, Achyut (UM undergraduate)
  Transport and Storage of Coarse and Fine Grained Sediment, Little Paint Branch Creek
  Advisor: Dr. Prestegaard and Blanchet, Graduate Student
• Drymala, Susan (UM undergraduate)
  Floral Indicators of Late Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum Climate Change in the Bighorn Basin, Wyoming
  Advisor: Drs. Holtz and Kaufman and Wing
• Gaeman, Jodi (UM undergraduate)
  Thermal Evolution of an Early Magma Ocean
  Advisor: Dr. Hier-Majumder
• Gribbin, Jill (UM undergraduate)
  Insights into deep-sea hydrothermal vent environments from measurements of permeability and porosity
  Advisor: Drs. Zhu and Tivey
• Hanson, Cory (UM undergraduate)
  Vein Related Mass Transport in the Ritter Range Roof Pendant during Late Cretaceous Contact Metamorphism
  Advisor: Drs. Penniston-Dorland and Piccoli and McDonough
• Kingman, Gus (UM undergraduate)
  Constraining depositional ages of Potomac Terrane formations by zircon U/Pb isotope analysis
  Advisor: Drs. Martin and Piccoli
• Lillibridge, Jeffrey (UM undergraduate)
  Estimating water flux over a tidal cycle in tidal marsh networks based on tidal prism and gauge height
  Advisor: Dr. Prestegaard and Seldomridge, Graduate Student
• Mitchell, Garrett (UM undergraduate)
  Rift interaction at the Galápagos Triple Junction
  Advisor: Dr. Montesi
• Occhi, Marcie (UM undergraduate)
  Sources of Stream Discharge in the North East and North West Branches of the Anacostia Watershed
  Advisor: Dr. Prestegaard
• Slobodyanik, Darya (UM undergraduate)
  Using Chemical Contaminant Profiles to Determine Sediment Depositional History at Little Paint Branch Creek
  Advisor: Drs. Prestegaard and McDonough and Ash
• Wernecke, Nina (UM undergraduate)
  The Color of the Lower Mantle
  Advisor: Dr. Campbell

2008

• Bilenker, Laura (UM undergraduate)
  A Phase Equilibrium Study of Cu-Fe Sulfides Between 700°C and 800°C
  Advisor: Drs. Candela and Piccoli and Tattich, Graduate student
• Kosiba, Andrew (UM undergraduate)
  Stability of Gravel Bars & Bedload Transport in Paint Branch Creek
  Advisor: Dr. Prestegaard and Blanchet Graduate student
• Leone, Eugenia (UM undergraduate)
  Correlating the "Fulton Site" within the Gettysburg Basin
  Advisor: Drs. Holtz and Merck and Fulton and Weems
• Raum, Joseph (UM undergraduate)
  Measuring U-Pb Zircon Ages in the Bear Island Granodiorite
  Advisor: Dr. Martin
• Skold, Peter (UM undergraduate)
  Investigation of Keyser Limestone Paleoenvironments at the Cumberland Bone Cave
  Advisor: Dr. Holtz
• Via, Marco (UM undergraduate)
  Topography, Melting, and Viscosity Near the Core-Mantle Boundary
  Advisor: Dr. Hier-Majumder

2007

• Behrns, Krystle (UM undergraduate)
  Evaluation of Channel Adjustments to Urbanization on the Paint Branch Stream System
  Advisor: Dr. Prestegaard
• Bilenker, Laura (UM undergraduate)
  Phase equilibrium study of sulfides between 700°C and 800°C.
  Advisors: Drs. Candela and Piccoli
• Kosiba, Andrew (UM undergraduate)
  Analysis of the Paint Branch Gravel Bars and Bedload Transport.
  Advisors: Dr. Prestegaard and Blanchet, Graduate student
• Leone, Eugenia (UM undergraduate)
  Stratigraphic Correlation of the “Fulton Site” in the Gettysburg Basin
  Advisors: Drs. Holtz, Merck, Fulton
• Nguyen, Helen (UM undergraduate)
  Melting of Olivine (Mg, Fe)₂SiO₄ Under High Pressure
  Advisor: Dr. Campbell
• Raum, Joey (UM undergraduate)
  Rocks of the Potomac Terrane
  Advisor: Dr. Martin
• Soneira, Casey (UM undergraduate)
  Investigation of Fault Control at Mather Gorge and Petrographic Analysis of Lamprophyre Dikes
  Advisor: Dr. Martin
• Streker, Peter (UM undergraduate)
• Thomas, Robert (UM undergraduate)
  Effect of Phase Transition and High Pressure on Trace Element Partitioning Between Metal and Sulfide Melt
  Advisor: Drs. Campbell and Fei
• Weinstein, David (UM undergraduate)
  Taphonomy of the Late Pleistocene Key Largo Limestone: A Comparison of Modern and Ancient Coral Reef Ecosystems
  Advisor: Drs. Kaufman, Holtz, Ginsburg, Garza-Perez

2006

• Aeiker, Dusty (UM undergraduate)
  Internship to develop an international seawater standard for lithium isotopes
  Advisors: Drs. W. F. McDonough, R.L. Rudnick and Piccoli
• Burgy, Kate (UM undergraduate)
  The measurement of small-scale structures to determine their iInfluence on the orientation of the Mather Gorge of the Potomac River, Maryland and Virginia, USA
  Advisors: Drs. Martin and Zen
• Grabowski, Sandra (UM undergraduate)
  Evaluation of Marsh Restoration Progress at Blackwater National Wildlife Reserve
  Advisors: Drs. Prestegaard and Needleman (ENST)
• Limburg, David (UM undergraduate)
  An analysis of apatite chemistry in garnet porphyroblasts and in the matrix of metamorphic rocks
  Advisor: Dr. Piccoli
• Masterson, Andrew (UM undergraduate)
  Anomalous fractionation patterns of multiple S-isotopes in the broadband UV photolysis of He-SO₂
  Advisors: Drs. Wing and Farquhar
• McCleaf, Ashley (UM undergraduate)
  Hydraulics affecting bedrock erosion at a stream knickpoint
  Advisor: Prestegaard
• Pitcher, Lynette (UM undergraduate)
  The behavior of rhenium and the platinum group elements during fractional crystallization of the Kilauea Iki Lava Lake in Hawaii
  Advisors: Drs. Walker and Helz
• Shansby, Andrew (UM undergraduate)
  Comparison of the petrology of samples from two amphibolite facies localities from the Andrelândia Group, Brazil
  Advisors: Drs. Brown and Piccoli, Reno, Ph.D. student
• Youell, Lynn (UM undergraduate)
  Experimental determination of the partitioning behavior of silver between various silver between various sulfide phases and electrum
  Advisors: Drs. Candela and Piccoli
• Williams, Brendan (UM undergraduate)
  A sulfur isotopic study of neoproterozoic evaporites in the shaler supergroup, Victoria Island, Northwest Territories, Canada
  Advisors: Dr. Kaufman and Johnston, Ph.D. student

2005

• Baker, Emily (UM Undergraduate)
  Internship to specialize in the the petrographic analysis and isolation of specimens for the geochemical analysis
  Advisor: Dr. R. Rudnick
• Chung, Elena (UM undergraduate)
  Internship specializing in chromatographic separation of Lithium in geological samples
  Advisors: Drs. R.L. Rudnick, W. F. McDonough and F.Z. Teng
• Hulbert, Jacquiline (UM undergraduate)
  Internship to evaluate the role of fluids in the eruption of felsic Yellowstone magmas (with Dr. Piccoli); Laboratory aide in project related to characterization of apatite chemistry in high-grade metamorphic rocks
  NFS-funded, PIs Drs. Brown and Piccoli
• James, Jonathan (UM undergraduate)
  Internship specializing in preparation of geological materials for quantitative analysis
  Advisors R. Rudnick and S. Timpa
• James, Jonathan (UM undergraduate)
  Internship in stable isotope geochemistry
  Advisor Dr. Kaufman
• Losey, Cara (UM undergraduate)
  Internship to analyses of geological materials using laser ablation-ICP-mass spectrometry
  Advisor: W. F. McDonough
• Masterson, Andrew (UM undergraduate)
  Aids with the study of biological isotope effects involving oxygen and sulfur
  Advisor; J. Farquhar and D Johnston
• McCleaf, Ashley (UM undergraduate)
  Field assistant in Brazil, summer 2005
  (with Barry Reno, PhD student; NFS-funded, PIs Drs. Brown and Piccoli
• McCleaf, Ashley (UM undergraduate)
  Internship in mineral separation techniques and MS spectral analyses
  (with Drs. W.F. McDonough and J. Baldwin and Barry Reno, PhD student
• McLeaf, Ashley (UM undergraduate)
  Internship in stable isotope geochemistry with Dr. Kaufman
• Paraoan, Jett   (senior at Oxon Hill High School)
  Water analyses in the Washington DC Area (Senior Research Practicum)
  Advisor: W. F. McDonough
• Shetty, Purushottam (UM graduate student)
  Internship in computer programming for the plasma mass spectrometry laboratory
  Advisor: W. F. McDonough
• Soneria, Casey (UM undergraduate)
  Internship in instrument development for the plasma mass spectrometry laboratory
  Advisor: W. F. McDonough

2004

• Baker, Deborah (UM undergraduate)
  Aids with the chemical isolation of atmospheric sulfate and nitrate from precipitation
  Advisor; J. Farquhar and K. Cooney
• Hertz, Marla (UM undergraduate)
  Aids with the chemical isolation of sulfate from Archean carbonates
  Advisor; J. Farquhar and J Kaufman
• Huang, Grace(Montgomery Blair HS)
  Studied photoxidation reactions involving hydrogen sulfide
  Advisor B. Wing
• Jones, Victoria (Prince George's County Public School Science and Technology Program
  Computer simulation of rigid clast rotation in viscous flows.
  Advisor: D. Jiang
• Masterson, Andrew (UM undergraduate)
  Field Assistant in Brazil, summer 2004 with Barry Reno, PhD student; NFS-funded, PIs Drs. Brown and Piccoli
• Schumann, Kimberley (UM undergraduate)
  Study of the history of northern Appalachians using Re/Os in Newfoundland
  (results presented at UM undergraduate research day)
  Advisor W. Minarik

2003

• Azzer, Bou (UM undergraduate)
  Research on ultramafic rocks from Morocco.
  Advisor W. Minarik
• Bao, Ning (Montgomery Blair High School)
  Replication of the Miller-Urey experiments on the abiotic origin of life
  Advisor: J. Farquhar
• Booker, Cherina (UM undergraduate)
  Internship in radiogenic isotope geochemistry.
  Advisor W. Minarik
• Gale, Allie (UM undergraduate)
  Research on the origin of rocks at Patapsco Valley State Park
  (results presented at UM undergraduate research day)
  Advisor W. Minarik
• Njo, Heather (UM undergraduate)
  Internship on lithium isotope geochemistry of saprolites
  Advisor R. Rudnick and P. Tomascak [through 2004]
• Thompson, Ruth (UM undergraduate)
  Laboratory assistant in stable isotope geochemistry
  Advisor Dr. Kaufman [through 2003]
• Waller, Michael (UM undergraduate)
  Laboratory assistant in stable isotope geochemistry
  Advisor Dr. Kaufman [through 2003]

2002

• Emily Baker (UM undergraduate)
  Variety of lab-related tasks
  Advisor R. Rudnick and W. McDonough [through 2004].
• Cassara, Jason (UM undergraduate)
  Laboratory assistant in stable isotope geochemistry
  Advisor Dr. Kaufman [through 2004]
• Zhao, Robin (Montgomery-Blair High School)
  Construction of an isotopic line for the analysis of meteorites
  Advisor: J. Farquhar
• O'Driscoll, Leland (Humboldt State University)
  Isolation of S from Archean Banded Iron Formations
  Advisor: J. Farquhar
• Watt, Eric (Towson State University)
  Paragenesis of tourmalines in early Paleozoic metasediments of the Maryland piedmont. Research presented at the annual meeting of the Geological Society of America
  Advisor: S.M. Lev and R.J. Burks; UM contact P.Piccoli
• Dickson, Timothy A. (Montgomery Blair High School)
  Computer simulation of single-layer folding.
  Advisor: D. Jiang

2001

• Dill, R.A. (The College of WIlliam and Mary)
  Mineralogical and chemical variability plus a three-amphibole occurrence in an outcrop of the Chopawamsic Formation, central Piedmont Province, Virginia. Research presented at the Geological Society of America
  Advisor: B.E. Owens; UM Contact P.Piccoli
• Harp, Jeff (UM undergraduate)
  Laboratory assistant in stable isotope geochemistry
  Advisor Dr. Kaufman
• Krelove, Kelly (UM undergraduate)
  Laboratory assistant in stable isotope geochemistry
  Advisor Dr. Kaufman [through 2002]
• Laszlo, Istvan (UM)
  Internship to aid in the development of algorithms for the efficient operation of LA-ICPMS software for analysis reduction
  Advisor: W. McDonough
• Mauck, Taylor (UM undergraduate)
  Laboratory assistant in stable isotope geochemistry
  Advisor Dr. Kaufman [through 2003]
• Webber, Caroline (The College of William and Mary)
  Generation of granitic dikes: can texture, mineralogy, and geochemistry be
  used as guides to determine the mechanisms of diking? Research presented at the annual meeting of the Geological Society of America
  Advisors P.A. Candela, P. Piccoli and A. Simon
• Wright, Kathleen (UM undergraduate)
  Laboratory assistant in stable isotope geochemistry
  Advisor Dr. Kaufman
• Ewing, Anna (James Madison University)
  Trace elements in ruitel as an indicator of provenance
  Advisors T. Zack and R. Rudnick

2000

• Berquist, Peter (William and Mary undergraduate)
  Summer laboratory assistant
  Advisor: Dr. Kaufman
• Chemtob, Steven (Montgomery Blair High School)
  Microbiota and weathering of ultramafic rocks. Research presented at the University of Maryland Biosciences Day
  Advisors P. Candela, P. Piccoli and S. Lower
• Dickerson, Susan (College of William and Mary)
  Kyanite color as a clue to contrasting protolith compositions for kyanite quartzites in the Piedmont Province of Virginia. Southeastern Geology
  Advisor: B.E. Owens; UM contact P.Piccoli
• Hebert, Craig (UM undergraduate)
  Laboratory assistant in stable isotope geochemistry
  Advisor Dr. Kaufman [through 2001]

1999

• Deng, Wei-Li (Montgomery Blair High School)
  Crystallization kinetics of quartz in granitic dikes estimated from crystal size
  distributions. Research presented at the American Geophysical Union meeting
  Advisors: P.A. Candela and P.M. Piccoli
• Missell, Christine (UM undergraduate)
  Laboratory assistant in stable isotope geochemistry
  Advisor Dr. Kaufman [through 2001]

1998

• Baker, Laura (UM undergraduate)
  Laboratory assistant in stable isotope geochemistry
  Advisor Dr. Kaufman [through 2000]
• Poulos, Anastasia (UM senior summer scholar)
  Laboratory assistant in stable isotope geochemistry
  Advisor Dr. Kaufman [through 2001]
• Walter, Talia (UM undergraduate)
  Laboratory assistant in stable isotope geochemistry
  Advisor Dr. Kaufman [through 1999]

1997

• Koval, Anthony (UM undergraduate)
  Laboratory assistant in stable isotope geochemistry
  Advisor Dr. Kaufman [through 1998]
• Richardson, William (UM undergraduate)
  Laboratory assistant in stable isotope geochemistry
  Advisor Dr. Kaufman [through 1998]
• Asuquo, Blessing (UM undergraduate)
  Laboratory assistant in stable isotope geochemistry
  Advisor Dr. Kaufman [through 1998]