Dave Szymanski is an associate professor of geology and Chair of the Department of Natural and Applied Sciences at Bentley University. He’s been a CUR member since 2012 and became a GeoCUR councilor in 2018. “I work mainly with undergraduate business…
Council on Undergraduate Research – Geoscience Division
Activities and resources for faculty mentors of undergraduate student researchers
Blog Archives
Councilor – Ken Brown
Ken Brown is a Teaching Assistant Professor at West Virginia University. He began serving as a GeoCUR Councilor in 2017. “As a Teaching Assistant Professor at WVU, one of my primary goals is to provide a memorable classroom experience that…
Councilor – Kristina Walowski
Kristina Walowski is an Assistant Professor of Geology at Middlebury College. She started as a GeoCUR Council in 2018. “For my research, I primarily utilize melt inclusions (tiny blobs of magma trapped in crystals) and mafic minerals (olivine, pyroxene, and…
Councilor – Lydia Fox
Lydia Fox is at the University of the Pacific, in Stockton CA where she is both Director of Undergraduate Research and a professor in the Dept. of Geological & Environmental Sciences. She has been a GeoCUR Councilor for many years…
Councilor – Dan Brabander
Dan Brabander is a Professor of Geosciences, Frost Professor Environmental Sciences, at Wellesley College. Fostering integration as a way of thinking. Brabander offers “Big Idea” courses that introduce systems thinking in applied and messy problem spaces. Course goals are centered…
Councilor – Jennifer Wenner
Jennifer Wenner is a Professor of Geology at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh with expertise in igneous petrology/geochemistry and geoscience education. She has been a councilor since 2013. “Undergraduate research is one of the most important and rewarding parts of my…
Councilor – Liz Johnson
Liz Johnson is an associate professor in the Department of Geology and Environmental Science at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. She began serving as a GeoCUR councilor in 2014 and ended her term in 2017. “I am pleased…
Councilor – Erik Klemetti
Erik Klemetti is an assistant professor in Geosciences at Denison University. He has been serving as a GeoCUR councilor since 2013. “Undergraduate research in my own experience is was launched me onto the path I know follow as a geoscientist.…
Councilor – Kim Hannula
Kim Hannula is a Professor of Geoscience, Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences, and Undergraduate Research Director at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. She began serving as a GeoCUR Councilor in 2013, but also was also a councilor from…
Councilor – Charles Tilburg
Charles Tilburg is an Associate Professor of Marine Sciences at the University of New England. He is also the Associate Dean and Undergraduate Research Coordinator of the College of Arts and Sciences. He served as a GeoCUR councilor 2013-2014.…
Councilor – Wes Dripps
Wes is an Associate Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Furman University in South Carolina. He began serving as a councilor in 2013. “I am an avid supporter of undergraduate student research and have been very outspoken on the…
Councilor – Dan Moore
Dan Moore is a professor of geology at Brigham Young University – Idaho. He is also the Research Director of the Southeast Idaho Research Institute, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide mentored research experiences to undergraduate students. He…
Councilor – Sarah Fortner
Sarah Fortner is an assistant professor of geology and environmental science at Wittenberg University. She has been a GeoCUR councilor since 2012. “Mentoring undergraduate research brings me great joy! As we work through the scientific method, my students learn how…
Councilor – Chris Kim
Chris Kim is an associate professor of earth and environmental sciences at Chapman University. He has been a GeoCUR councilor since 2010 and a member of CUR since 2007. Chris is also the recipient of an NSF-CAREER Award (#0847811) and…
Councilor – Amy Weislogel
Amy Weislogel is at West Virginia University. She began serving as a councilor in 2010 and completed her term in 2013. “Involving undergraduates in research is not a mandate for my position but I’ve become increasingly convinced that it lies…
Councilor – Laura Guertin
Laura Guertin is a Professor of Earth Science at Penn State Brandywine. She first began serving as a GeoCUR Councilor in 2003 and completed her service in 2018. “As Penn State Brandywine primarily serves as a two-year feeder school for…
Councilor – Lee Phillips
Lee Phillips is the Director of the Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creativity Office at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, where he is also an Adjunct Associate Professor of Geology. Lee has been a member of CUR since 2006 and a Councilor…
Councilor – Erin Kraal
Erin is at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. She began serving as a councilor in 2011. “I was lucky to have a series of great undergraduate research experience when I was in college that helped shaped my scientific, personal, and world…
Councilor – Jeff Ryan
Jeff Ryan is a Professor in the School of Geosciences at the University of South Florida. He first became a GeoCUR member in 1996 and a Councilor in 2000 “It was trying to learn how to mentor undergraduate researchers both…
Councilor – Meagen Pollock
Meagen Pollock is an Associate Professor of Earth Sciences at The College of Wooster. She began serving as a GeoCUR Councilor in 2009. “CUR’s mission naturally aligns with my interests in research and teaching. At The College of Wooster, all…
Councilor – Elizabeth Heise
Elizabeth Heise is at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in the Environmental Sciences Program. She joined CUR in 2008 and served as a Councilor from 2009 to the present. “I was an undergraduate researcher at UCLA, That experience lead…
Councilor – Jeff Marshall
Jeff Marshall is a Professor of Geology and Campus Coordinator for Undergraduate Research at Cal Poly Pomona University. Jeff Marshall is a geomorphologist with research and teaching expertise in neotectonics, geologic hazards, coastal processes, river dynamics, and watershed restoration. He…
Councilor – Pat Manley
Pat Manley is a Professor of Geology at Middlebury College. She has been a Councilor for the geoscience division since 2004. “The interaction between professor and student has proven to be one of the most rewarding experiences I have had…
Councilor – Ed Hansen
Ed Hansen is at Hope College. “I have been doing research with undergraduate students for nearly 30 years. For me research by itself is rewarding but it is particularly rewarding when done with young energetic, enthusiastic students who bring a…
Councilor – Katherine McCarville
Katherine McCarville is Associate Professor of Geosciences in the Division of Science and Mathematics at Upper Iowa University. As a lone-wolf, her teaching load is varied, from introductory geology, dinosaurs, and natural disasters in the lower division, to GIS/remote sensing,…
Council on Undergraduate Research - Geoscience Division 