Photo: Taranaki Maunga, North Island, Aotearoa New Zealand

Graduate Students

Madelyn Cook (current)
2023-current
Co-supervised with Dr. Nathan Andersen (USGS)
Rejuvenation of magma mush preceding the eruption of the rhyolite of Separation Creek, Three Sisters Volcanic Complex, central Oregon Cascades

The Rhyolite of Separation Creek (rsc) erupted in the Three Sisters/Klah Klahnee Volcanic complex, directly between South Sister and Middle Sister and could reflect interactions between the magma systems of the two volcanoes. This rhyolite also contains mafic enclaves, which indicates open system processes. Madelyn (she/her) will use mineral textures and compositions from rsc and the enclaves to identify discrete mineral populations and determine their magma origins, storage conditions, and what processes took place during the final stages of mineral growth. Outside of research, Madelyn enjoys running, cycling, and reading.

Alex Newsom (current)
2022-2024 (graduated Fall 2024)
Stuck in the Middle – Dacitic Eruptions through Time at Three Sisters, Oregon

Dacites are the most abundant intermediate-felsic lavas erupted at Middle Sister, OR. Alex (they/he) investigated whole rock and mineral geochemistry and textures, in combination with thermobarometry, of three temporally distinct dacites to better understand intermediate-felsic magma formation at this intriguing volcano. Outside of the lab, Alex likes nature photography, learning languages, and playing guitar.

Undergraduate Students

 
Olivia Ernst (current)
2024-current
Dacite origins during a compositional shift in eruptive products at Middle Sister volcano, Oregon Cascades

Olivia will be examining two dacite lavas from Middle Sister volcano, OR, to determine and compare how they formed. To do so, Olivia will use whole rock data in concert with compositional data of major mineral phases. Outside of academia, Olivia enjoys outdoor activities such as backpacking and surfing. She’s also a musician and enjoys a good science fiction novel when time allows. Olivia received the 2024 Murdock Poster Prize for Environmental Science-Geology, congratulations!

Sean Halstead
2022-2023 (graduated Fall 2023)
Shared Roots: A geochemical investigation of basaltic andesites to understand magmatic cogenesis at the Middle Sister and South Sister volcanoes, central Oregon
Read thesis here

Of the lavas erupted at the Three Sisters volcanoes, basaltic andesites represent the more mafic, primitive end of the compositional spectrum, giving a glimpse into the chemistry of the deep-rooted source material that feeds the volcanoes. Sean (he/him) is conducted an in-depth analysis of subtle variations in mineral chemistry in three basaltic andesites from Middle Sister and South Sister in order to help uncover the processes that have supplied magma to these neighboring volcanoes and identify evidence of magma sharing between them. Outside of the lab, Sean enjoys backpacking, climbing, carpentry, photography, and music.

Emma Calvert
2022-2023 (graduated Fall 2023)
Deciphering magma genesis and potential reservoir interconnectivity between two contemporary arc volcanoes during onset of cone-building activity
Read thesis here

Emma (she/her) will used petrography, whole rock, and microanalytical techniques to determine the origins and storage conditions of two coeval, early cone-building lavas from Middle Sister and South Sisters, and whether the two lavas are in any way interconnected. Outside of minerals, Emma enjoys hiking, exploring art galleries, and occasionally fly fishing.

James Peale
2022-2023 (graduated Fall 2023)
Using two coeval andesites from Middle and South Sisters, Oregon, as clues to understanding alternating periods of activity at adjacent, coincident stratovolcanoes
Read thesis here

James (he/him) combined whole rock, with mineral textures and chemistry to understand magma genesis and connectivity at Middle Sister and South Sister during a period of intense volcanic activity at the two stratovolcanoes. Outside of research, James enjoys metalworking, sailing, and woodworking.

Charlotte Wall
2020-2021 (graduated Summer 2021)
Populations of Major Phases in Glacier Peak Lavas
Read thesis here

Charlotte (she/her) combined petrography and SEM-EDS analysis to identify discrete mineral populations in mingled magmas from Dahkobed/Glacier Peak volcano in the north Cascades. When not looking at minerals, Charlotte loves to explore the outdoors or learn fun facts about anything and everything!

Committee Advising

Saisha Brody-- M.Sc. working with Dr. Kristina Walowski (current)
Vanessa Mendoza-- M.Sc. working with Dr. Asmaa Boujibar (current)
Cassie Vanlanen-- M.Sc. working with Dr. Bernard Housen (current)
Sloane Kennedy-- M.Sc. working with Dr. Kristina Walowski (graduated 2023)
Brendan Garvey--  M.Sc. working with Dr. Susan DeBari (graduated 2022)



Student interested in research? Read the the information provided on the "Potential Students" page!