THE EPOCHSummer/Fall 2008 | No. 38 Mitchell Says Farewell to Chair Duties

Charles E. Mitchell, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor

NY State geology includes several regionally you yet another new faculty member who will fill extensive gas-producing shales and the current Matt’s shoes and help us meet our commitment interest in the early Late Devonian Marcellus to offer outstanding professional training in Shale is a wonder to behold. UB Geology has environmental geology. The search has begun! begun working with several local energy com- panies (Nornew, Seneca Resources, National Finally, I am particularly pleased to be able to Fuel) to help meet their needs for expertise in introduce this edition’s alumni feature article. the regional geology and employees to join their Dr. Stephen T. Hasiotis, Associate Profes- growing team of geologists. Dr. Jacobi is work- sor of Geology at the University of Kansas ing part time for Nornew and in the near future, completed an MS degree here at UB in 1991 Paul Basinski (BA, ’76) will lead a visit to UB and his BS in 1985. He made wonderful work from the ConocoPhillips Corp. recruiting team out of what seemed at the time to be a very That’s right. I’ve slipped out the back door of as they also seek to hire additional geologists to off-beat idea I suggested to him: that burrows the chair’s office and am headed down the their exploration and development efforts. we found in the Chinle Formation near our field hall. On August 15th I completed six and a half camp in Steven’s Canyon Utah might have years as Department Chair, with a six-month In this ebb and flow we also welcome a new been produced by Triassic crayfish. After all, I leave in the spring of 2005 made possible by senior faculty hire, Dr. Greg Valentine, and bid knew nothing about the Triassic, trace fos- Bob Jacobi’s generosity and his ability to serve farewell and best wishes to Dr. Matt Becker. sils, or the geological history of crayfish – it’s as acting chair for a semester. Now Professor Greg comes to us from Los Alamos National just what they looked like! Steve took up the Richelle Allen-King has stepped forward to Lab where he led a large team of geologists challenge, discovered that these burrows had take up the balancing act that is the chair’s job: and worked extensively on the evaluation of the already been described as lungfish burrows. to be an administrator, a faculty member, and volcanological geohazards in the region of the Unconvinced, he went on to discover abundant a research scientist. I hope that you will soon Yucca Mountain Repository for spent nuclear evidence of similarity between the Chinle bur- discover, as I have, that she is an exceptionally reactor fuel rods. He joins our Geohazards rows and those he induced crayfish in our lab talented person who will take up this opportunity Center as a member of the UB 2020 strategic to make and substantial differences from the with enthusiasm and dedication. In other words, strength in Extreme Events: Mitigation and burrows of lungfish. And then, not content with she will be terrific as department chair! Response. As reading the accompanying these discoveries, he found actual body fossils article about Dr. Valentine I hope you will feel of crayfish associated with the burrows. Sigh. As many of you are probably aware, the budget the same excitement that we do about his Steve is now a world-renown expert in conti- of the State of New York has suffered some of joining the department. nental trace fossils with a long list of scientific the same calamitous decline as our individual publications, newspaper stories about termite stock portfolios and this will affect the SUNY Among the consequences of hiring outstand- mounds the size of buildings, and many other budget in similarly drastic ways. Nevertheless, ing faculty is the fact that they may be lured by marvelous discoveries – not the least of which Richelle and I are confident that with your help, the siren call of new opportunities at another is that trace fossils are of considerable value to UB Geology will be able to continue the positive university. Matt Becker has taken up an at oil exploration (they help define the sequence development of its programs and the effective The California State University of Long Beach, boundary exposure surfaces among other nurturing of our students and personnel. which has received a major alumni gift aimed at things). Way to go Steve! developing an outstanding Master of The globally expanding demand for oil and Science hydrogeology program and they se- Thank you all for your support and your natural gas has hit us all in the wallet of course, lected Matt Becker to lead this effort. Matt has contributions to UB Geology. Thank you most but here in New York it has also lead to a taken up the endowed professorship created by especially for the opportunities you have given phenomenal expansion in gas exploration, es- this gift at the rank of full professor. As much as me to serve our community. If you visit UB, pecially in non-traditional resources: localized, we will miss him here at UB, I do hope that he stop by to say “hi.” You will find me in my lab fracture-controlled reservoirs and shale gas finds out in California the success and content- up to my elbows in graptolites. And with that, I (exactly matching Bob Jacobi’s interests and ment he and his wife, Amy seek. I also hope am outa here! experience – naturally. Here is a man ahead of that next year we will be able to introduce to the curve, if ever there was one!). Greetings from the New Department Chair

Richelle M. Allen-King, Professor and Chair

It is an outstanding time to be involved in Through these transitions, our department and all!). This will occur over some time as educating the next generation of geoscientists remains strong. At the moment, we comprise new spaces are renovated for us and we are because society has never had a greater need 14 tenure/tenure-track faculty, 6 professional already enjoying improved teaching facilities. for the knowledge of geoscientists than today. staff, 1 research associate professor, 3 re- Clean water, global warming, natural hazards search assistant professors, 8 adjunct faculty, I am proud to serve as Chair of an outstanding, and energy are important current issues in 3 emeritus professors, 55 graduate students productive and positive department. Although which geoscientists in general – and gradu- and 76 undergraduate students. Several of the financial shortfalls in the NY State budget ates from our department in particular - are our graduate students have recently received will certainly translate into budget challenges, positioned to take an increasingly important prestigious academic awards: Patrick Whel- I am confident that our department is up to role. As a consequence, career prospects for ley received a NASA graduate fellowship; meeting these challenges with the same posi- recent and upcoming graduates are bright. A Sungwook Choung and Nicolas Young have tive and innovative spirit that we have drawn geological education is a great asset. received Geological Society of America student on in the past. And as we move forward this research grants, and Dale Hess is currently on year, we shouldn’t forget about our history. Each autumn brings a new class of students a Fulbright Scholarship. In addition to these I encourage all of our alumni to keep in touch and transitions in our department, a few of accolades, five of our current graduate stu- with our department and let us know what you which I highlight here. As the incoming dents are supported through highly competitive are doing. We are always eager to learn how Department Chair, I look forward to the new admission to the National Science Foundation we can strengthen our ties to those of you that challenges and opportunities that the job Interdisciplinary Graduate Education and Re- have gone before and improve the student will bring. On behalf of the faculty, staff and search Traineeships. We are privileged to work experience here. I look forward to hearing students, I want to thank Professor Chuck with top notch research students! from you! Mitchell for his service as Chair during the past six and a half years of growth in UB Geology. Over the next few years, I look forward to We extend a warm welcome to Professor working with the Department’s Executive Com- Greg Valentine, an internationally recognized mittee, who will help guide the department. Dr. volcanologist, who has joined our faculty roster Marcus Bursik has been appointed Associate this past August. Sadly, this August we said Chair and will be leading our alumni relation farewell to Professor Matthew Becker and efforts and Drs. Tracy Gregg and Bea Csatho wish all the best for him in his new position as are our Directors of Graduate and Undergradu- the Conrey Endowed Chair of Hydrogeology at ate Studies, respectively. California State University at Long Beach. We hope to fill this vacancy very soon and are To prove that our Department is not too static, currently searching for an Assistant Professor we have begun the process of moving our From top, left to right, UB Geology Executive Committee: group to Cooke and Hochstetter Halls (rocks Drs. Marcus Bursik, Beata Csatho, Richelle Allen-King, of Hydrogeology. and Tracy Gregg Table of Contents Department News

1 Update Your Address Books, UB Geology Has Moved 2 Meet the New Faculty 2 Faculty Awards/Recognition 3-4 Field Camp 2008 5 Department Move

Research News

6-14 Faculty Updates

Alumni News

15-16 Feature Article: Dr. Stephen T. Hasiotis 17-18 Alumni Gatherings 19 Alumni Advisory Board Report 20 A Word About Alumni Giving 22-26 Alumni Notes The EPOCH is published for the students, alumni and friends of: Student News University at Buffalo 27-28 Student Honors & Degrees Conferred The State University of New york The Department of Geology 29-30 Student Research 411 Cooke Hall Remember When Page Buffalo, NY 14260-1350

We can be contacted by: Phone:(716) 645-3489 ext. 6100 Fax: (716) 645-3999 E-mail: [email protected]

Dr. Richelle Allen-King, Chairwoman Alison Lagowski & Heather Kornacki, Co-Editors, The EPOCH

Special thanks to the College of Arts Sciences and CAS Creative Design Services for the design and layout of The EPOCH

Please visit us online at: www.geology.buffalo.edu DEPARTMENT NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

Update Your Address Books! UB Geology has moved!

This fall, the Geology office and classrooms have moved to Cooke Hall. Any US mail to staff and faculty should be sent to the following address:

University at Buffalo, SUNY Department of Geology 411 Cooke Hall Buffalo, NY 14260-1350 (716) 645-3489 ext. 6100 (Telephone) (716) 645-3999 (Fax) www.geology.buffalo.edu

NOTE: Most faculty offices are still located in Natural Sciences Complex.

For additional information on the move, including more pictures, please see page 5.

New administrative space

1 DEPARTMENT NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

Meet the New Faculty! In addition, he has a strong interest in applying climate change, and artificial life. He led our fundamental understanding of volcanism to projects on the coupling of environmental problems of natural hazards risk and mitiga- sciences with urban infrastructure engineering, tion, and in using volcanic hazards as analogs defense-related issues, and in the past four to help us prepare for other types of hazards. years led studies related to the consequences Dr. Valentine received his B.S. in Geology of potential volcanic activity at a proposed and Geological Engineering from New Mexico radioactive waste disposal site in Nevada. Institute of Mining and Technology (1984) and Much of this latter work was recently published his Ph.D. in Geological Sciences from the in journals such as Earth and Planetary University of California-Santa Barbara (1988). Science Letters, Journal of Volcanology and Part of his Ph.D. research involved numerical Geothermal Research, Bulletin of Volcanol- Dr. Greg Valentine joined the Department of modeling of explosive eruptions and an intern- ogy, and Geophysical Research Letters. Dr. Geology in August, as Professor and Associ- ship at Los Alamos National Laboratory (New Valentine was Editor in Chief of Journal of ate Director of the UB Center for GeoHazards Mexico), where he later was a postdoctoral Volcanology and Geothermal Research from Studies. Dr. Valentine’s interests cover a fellow and then a research staff member. 1993-2001. He is looking forward to joining broad range of volcanology problems, includ- Between 1998-2008 he led a group of the outstanding volcanology group at UB ing the source-to-surface dynamics of volcanic researchers at Los Alamos who conducted and to participating in the exciting strategic fields, basaltic eruption dynamics, pyroclastic basic and applied research in the areas of direction of Extreme Events – Mitigation and flows and surges, volcaniclastic deposits and subsurface flow and transport, experimental Response, part of the UB 2020 plan for major geomorphic evolution of volcanic surfaces. mineralogy and geochemistry, field geology, interdisciplinary initiatives.

Dr. Beata Csatho, Promoted to Associate Professor and another MS in Applied Mathematics from geosciences, including the solid earth, atmo- Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary in 1989. sphere, cryosphere and oceans. To process, She earned her PhD in Geophysics from the merge and analyze data sets from multiple University of Miskolc in 1993, while fulfilling a sources Beata adopts methodologies from Fulbright Scholarship at the USGS in Arizona. geophysics, remote sensing, photogrammetry, Dr. Csatho was a research scientist at The geodesy, spatial statistics, GIS, visualization, Ohio State University, Byrd Polar Research digital image processing, pattern recognition, Center in Columbus Ohio from 1994 until and data fusion. Her funded research includes 2006 when she accepted a position with the the investigation of glacier and ice sheet mass UB Geology Department as an Assistant balance and subglacial geology, application Professor. Dr. Csatho’s research focuses on of remote sensing for mapping periglacial and Dr. Beata Csatho understanding the complex dynamics of the glacial geomorphology, satellite laser altimetry Dr. Beata Csatho was promoted to Associate Earth’s system and its interaction with the and the development of data fusion approach- Professor effective the fall 2008, semester. human environment. Pursuing this goal she es. Congratulations Beata! Dr. Csatho earned her MS in Geophysics in frequently works in a multi-disciplinary set- 1981 from the University of Miskolc, Hungary ting to integrate information across all of the

2 DEPARTMENT NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

2008 Field Camp – Oh...That Crazy Weather Travis A. Nelson, Field Camp Operations Coordinator, Geologist, Geology Support Technician

As you might have already guessed by the title, good ol’ Mother Nature pulled out a few tricks for us this time… she’s just crazy. I’ll get to that soon, but first, let’s roll out the camp stats. We had 39 remarkable (go with the flow) students this year. They had to adapt to the ever-changing weather conditions and did so with style and smiles. Hats off to all!! Camp population consisted of 16 gals and 23 guys including 2 graduate students. 16 students from UB, 6 from three different universities in the State of Tennessee, 4 - Binghamton University, 2 - North Carolina State University (Hi Rebecca☺), 2 - University of Maine, 2 - University of New Hampshire, 1 - Slippery Rock University, 1 - Beloit College, 1 - Aus- tin Peay State University, 1 - University of Group photo from Field Camp 2008. Pittsburgh, 1 - Pacific Lutheran University, 1 - Denison University and 1 student from Rice University. Mother Nature brought her own camp participants – 16 days of wind, 5 days of soaking rain, 3 days of snow, and 20 days of just plain cold.

Our amazing faculty and staff dealt with the challenges we experienced this year with pro- fessional enthusiasm. It’s a privilege to work with such great people, Thank You! Dr. Charles Mitchell and Dr. Joaquín Cortés got the students acclimated to mapping in the field at the first map site in Grand Junction, Colorado. Dr. Greg Valentine (new faculty member - welcome Greg “The Hammer” Valentine!) and Dr. Charles Mitchell taught the “muddy” second map site in Davis Canyon, Cell phone charging station at Field Camp 2008. Utah. Dr. Paul Baldauf and Dr. Jason Briner Dr. Jason Briner felt right at home from his teaching assistants this year were: Shannon suited up in their rain gear and taught the Rain- research in the Arctic teaching the final map Kobs (4th yr), Mike Howley (3rd yr) and Sean bow Ranch map site in Dinosaur, Utah. Again, site at Q Creek Ranch in Wyoming where it McGrane (1st yr) and our superb cooks: thanks to Ron & Dixie Ufford for another snowed for several days. Our fantastic Phil Stokes (5th yr. franchise player), barbecue at the Rainbow Valley Ranch. continued page 4 3 DEPARTMENT NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

continued from page 3

Patrick Whelley (1st yr) and Heather Stewart Right off the bat I knew we were in for a most (1st yr). Hope to have everyone back next year, unusual sequence of weather related experi- just a great group. ences when we had to relocate our first camp site by direct order from F.E.M.A. due to the From a most generous alumni donation rising Colorado River and a bridge upstream (recieved from Ronald & Virginia Herdman), that could collapse at any moment. In Davis this year I integrated the first item, in a series Canyon, we were met with a low snow line, of many things to come, to achieve a “GREEN” wind, mud and chains for the vans. Next, the field camp. An energy efficient solar refrigera- rains in Dinosaur, days of soaking rain. And to tor, complete with photovoltaic cells and battery cap it all off, snow, 10 degrees, and extreme pack was added. Next year I hope to replace wind in Wyoming. Ah yes, that crazy weather. the gas generator and halogen lighting by Hey, we wouldn’t have it any other way, adding more photovoltaic cells and fluorescent we’re geologists! Chuck Mitchell describing the regional geology to lights. students in preparation for their mapping exercises. There is a lot, and I mean a lot of work and en- Many trips to the hospital for what was dubbed ergy that goes into making this the best geology camp “crud,” a 48-hour type flu, that just about field camp in the country. It is the people, fac- everyone got. One student went home after ulty, staff, alumni and our friends at the places a nasty slip down the Morrison Formation. 5 we stay, that will continue to make this camp a days in the hospital, 1 surgery, 10 screws and success and a perfect tool for young geologists 2 titanium plates in your leg will always get you to learn, enjoy and remember. Thanks to ALL. a ticket home from field camp. Hope all’s well Rebecca, and wish you a speedy recovery. See Please visit: you on the trails! http://www.geology.buffalo.edu/fieldwork/fieldCamp.shtml for more information, highlights and pictures.

Geology 2008 Field Camp students.

Field Camp 2008 snowman, complete with a pretzel bow-tie!

4 DEPARTMENT NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

UB Geology Finds New Home in Cooke Hall

According to UB Geology staff member Peter across four buildings (Cooke Hall, Hochstetter Avery, this marks the sixth time the depart- Hall, Natural Sciences Complex and Fronczak ment has moved in its 80+ year history. (See Hall) with good humor and an eye on the final timeline, below.) Most of the moves have taken prize – some decent space that will accommo- place within the last few decades and we can date our needs for research and education. tell you – it never gets easier! There is a ton of planning, preparation and hard labor that goes So, update your records to include into these moves by countless people. This our newest address: Cooke Hall, built in the 1970s. project, in particular, seemed to be especially University at Buffalo, SUNY Department of Geology arduous and time consuming – given that 411 Cooke Hall the department will occupy its new space in Buffalo, NY 14260-1350 phases: First, staff and classrooms in fall 2008 (716) 645-3489 ext. 6100 (Telephone) followed by faculty according to their research (716) 645-3999 (Fax) groups, with the last group to arrive sometime www.geology.buffalo.edu after 2011 - give or take a few years. Most of us have handled the inconvenience of being split

New Department Office under construction, late summer. TIMELINE: GEOLOGY ON THE MOVE (Where will we land next?)

Crosby Hall, South Campus 1927 – 1969

Bell Facility, Race Street 1969 – 1975

Ridge Lea Campus, North Bailey Avenue New classroom, under construction, late summer. 1975 – 1990

Fronczak Hall, North Campus 1990 – 1994

Natural Sciences Complex (NSC), North Campus 1994 – 2008

Fall 2008, Staff and Faculty Split Staff Move to Cooke Hall, North Campus Faculty remain in NSC Travis Nelson, excited to move some chairs and tables into our new space.

5 RESEARCH NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

Professor Emeritus, Paul Reitan, Presented at International Geological Congress Paul Reitan, Professor Emeritus

Once every four years the Earth sciences com- The organizers are expecting about 4000 oral Those of you who were associated with the munity gathers for an International Geological presentations and about 200 posters, so it’s department in 1970-72 may remember Tom Congress (IGC). The host changes: in 2000 a BIG meeting! I will be representing UB at Paces. He will be there, coming from Prague, it was China, in 2004 it was Italy, and in 2008 the congress, having organized a symposium, Czech Republic, organizing a symposium and presenting papers in two. Those of you it will be “Norden.” “Norden” you say? Yes, “Earth Ethics II: The Earth sciences and sus- who were around the department in the 80’s meaning the nordic countries: Denmark, Fin- tainable world cultures” in which I’ll present a may remember Janusz Wasowski. He will be land, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. The meet- talk “Earth systems and humans: Is our future there with one paper, coming from Bari, Italy, ings this year, for the 33rd IGC, will be held in sustainable?” I’ll also be presenting papers where he now lives and works. Tom will be Oslo, Norway, August 6-14, with field trips from in two other sessions with tiles “Earth ethics: without his family, but Janusz will have his wife, Greenland to Svalbard to Russia to Denmark reaches how far?” and “Earth system Miriam, and daughter, Chiara. Trond Skyseth and points in between. The last time the nordic geoscience education: How broad?” (late 80’s-early 90’s), who lives and works in countries hosted an IGC was in 1960. Stavanger, Norway, may or may not make it.

Mexican Exchange Students Visit UB Geology Eliza Calder, Assistant Professor

Erasmo Edgar Barreto Mejía (University of me the opportunity of learning volcanology, Colima, Mexico): “Hi, I am Erasmo Barreto but also the nice chance of interacting with the from Colima, Mexico. Currently, I am studying North American culture…. thanks E-Haz.” Environmental Science and Management of Risks in the Faculty of Sciences, at the Univer- Rafael Ortiz Nielsen (University of Colima, sity of Colima; I will begin my second year next Mexico): “Like Erasmo, I’ll begin my second August. During this summer I had the chance year in the Environmental Science Risk to take part in the E-Haz fieldtrip in Mexico, Management program at the University of to study the Mexican volcanic belt, and now Colima. I also have the opportunity to partici- pate in the E-Haz course and the fieldtrip to Photo left to right: Gabriel, Erasmo, Anaid and Rafael I am visiting the University at Buffalo, sup- ported by the consortium. Here, I am learning study the Mexican Volcanic belt. I particularly During the summer, UB Geology was fortunate volcanology with Dr. Eliza Calder and currently loved the fieldtrip! We visited Popocatepetl, enough to host four visiting students from I am involved in the study of the activity of Colima, Nevado de Toluca, Jorullo and Mexico, funded through the E-Haz consortium Chaitén volcano in Chile and in the analysis of Paricutin volcanoes. I am currently visiting program. We asked the students to introduce temperatures of active lava lakes using satel- University at Buffalo also working supervised themselves and say a few works about their lite images. This program not only has given by Dr. Eliza Calder. involvement with the program.

6 RESEARCH NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

I am currently compiling information on the Soufrière Hills Volcano, Monserrat. The main focused on natural hazards. This summer I activity of Llaima Volcano in Chile and also idea is to try to find a possible relationships have had the opportunity to visit the University learning the analysis of remote sensing images between the major dome collapses and dome at Buffalo to learn to simulate lahars using the to determine lava lake temperatures. I think this growing activity with precursory data. Finding TITAN2D software, supervised by Dr. Michael visit is a great opportunity to learn new things, such relationships will improve our ability of Sheridan. My research project is the study of to know another culture, and interact with other predict major disasters and understand better the occurrence of lahars in the SW slope of people dedicated to the same area.” the volcano. I really like Buffalo and I feel really Colima Volcano. Using TITAN2D, I will be able fortunate to be here. I love the University, I think to identify vulnerable areas that will help to pro- Gabriel Reyes Alfaro (University of Colima, it is really pretty and has a lot of facilities. Is duce hazard maps and evaluate the potential Mexico): “I recently finished my degree in Phys- really nice and easy to practice a lot of different effects of lahars in a future eruption scenario ics at the Faculty of Sciences in Colima, Mexico. activities, sports, etc., and people is usually very of the volcano. This visit has been useful and Thanks to the E-Haz program, I am now enjoy- kind. I am really having a great summer here in informative since I have been learning about the ing this 2008 summer at the University at Buf- the States.” projects at the University and being able to in- falo and gladly working under the supervision teract with American students and researchers.” of Dr. Eliza Calder and Dr. Joaquín Cortés in Anaid Pérez Pérez (Universidad Nacional Au- Volcanology. Using time series analysis we are tónoma de Méjico, UNAM): “I am just beginning studying rockfalls and pyroclastic flow data from the second year of my MS at UNAM in Mexico,

Coral Reef Ecology at UB Geology

Mary Alice Coffroth, Professor

Coral Reef Ecology continues to thrive in the mini-symposium on “Ecological and Evolution- our work is the symbiosis between reef corals Geology Department at UB through activities ary Genomics of Coral Reef Organisms.” The and single-celled algae, called zooxanthellae. both on and off campus. Last fall I traveled to meeting, which occurs once every four years These algal symbionts provide the coral with Townsville, Australia to take part in a workshop and brings together coral reef biologists and nutrition and enhance calcification making the on “Connectivity and population resilience geologists from around the world, was full of symbiosis the foundation of the coral reef eco- -- sustaining coral reefs during the coming cen- interesting science. system. With funding from the National Science tury.” Due to natural and anthropogenic per- Foundation, I am examining the establishment turbations such as fishing, pollution, disease At the end of the summer I spent two weeks of the symbiosis in newly settled corals and and climate change, reefs world-wide are in a on the island of San Salvador in the Bahamas how the symbiosis changes over time and in state of decline. To understand the potential where I taught a field course in Tropical Marine response to different environments. Ecology with Dr. Howard Lasker (also UB resilience of these fragile systems, it is impera- continued page 8 tive that we understand how larvae of reef Geology). The class consisted of nine UB organisms disperse. Can larvae from nearby graduate and undergraduate students and or distant reefs repopulate degraded reefs? At we all had a great time exploring and learning this workshop we examined both empirical and about the various marine and terrestrial habi- theoretical approaches to determining how far tats on the island of San Salvador, Bahamas. larvae of reef organisms travel before settling The course included field trips to the reefs, onto the reef in order to provide managers and the mangroves, the seagrass beds, intertidal conservationists with the needed data to de- areas, a fossil reef and a partially submerged sign effective Marine Protective Areas (MPA). cave (Fig. 1). This summer several of my students and I Back in Buffalo, the lab has been working attended the 11th International Coral Reef away on several projects. The overall focus of Symposium, where I was a co-organizer of a Figure 1 7 RESEARCH NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

continued from page 7

Over the past year, in conjunction with the at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Aquarium of Niagara, Niagara Falls, NY, my in Panama (See D. Hamilton in the student graduate student, Daniel Poland studied the research section) and characterizing the kinetics of uptake of different strains of symbi- population structure of these symbionts among onts by corals. He reared newly settled corals the coral hosts in an attempt to determine con- at the Aquarium and exposed them to different nectivity among these algal populations (See J. strains of symbionts to determine how symbiont Mansfield in the student research section). type affects coral growth and survivorship (Fig. 2). Other students in the lab are looking at coral bleaching (the loss of the algal symbionts) and Fig. 2 Newly settled polyps from the octocoral, Briareum asbestinum. Brown color in tentacles recovery in a long term study being conducted is due to the algal symbionts Going Places with UB’s Evolution, Ecology and Behavior (EEB) Program Howard Lasker, Professor

I’m writing this update from the Gerace The Bahamas is also the site of my primary Program in Evolution, Ecology and Behavior Research Centre on San Salvador in The research project, a National Science Foun- (EEB). The program, now going into its third Bahamas. Dr. Coffroth and I and 9 UB dation funded study of the connectivity of year, has graduated its first M.S. student and students are here for our field course in octocoral species. Most of the bottom dwelling has 16 students enrolled in its M.S. and Ph.D. Tropical Marine Ecology. The Bahamas is a marine invertebrates produce larvae which degree programs. Six of those students are living carbonate environment, and our students float in the water column before settling to the working in Geology faculty labs. I am also are quite literally immersed in learning how the bottom and developing into adults. This is true one of the Co-Principal Investigators on UB’s organisms and the environment interact and for both diminutive species that may live for new NSF funded graduate training program in have created the islands and the surrounding only a year or two and for massive coral colo- ecosystem restoration, Ecosystem Restoration platform. San Salvador is a special treat for nies, which can grow and survive for centuries. through Interdisciplinary Exchange (ERIE). The the geologists as it is one of the few places For decades the dogma was that the larvae program which is a truly interdisciplinary effort in the world where you see and feel living were widely distributed and that the supply of incorporates faculty from both Engineering stromatolites. We have a great mix of Geology, larvae never affected populations. We now and Arts and Sciences departments and has Biological Sciences, and Evolution, Ecology realize that is not the case and that the larvae at its focus stream restoration. We have ac- and Behavior students, and it has been fun do not necessarily travel large distances before cepted our first group of students including two watching the geologists and biologists learn settling to the sea floor. My project is looking at geologists. The students will be taking courses from each other. It also is a great opportunity the rates of larval settlement, the genetic ranging from the nitty gritty of stream hydrology for undergrads to learn what field work is relatedness of populations and combining through to the policy and ethical considerations all about. those data with a high resolution model of involved in restoration efforts. oceanic circulation that is being developed by Once every four years the world’s coral reef collaborators at the University of Miami. Un- As is the case for everyone in the department scientists meet, and earlier this July, I along derstanding dispersal is crucial to our ability to it all adds up to a very busy but exciting array with over 2000 other scientists attended the predict the resilience of coral reef communities, of activities. 11th International Coral Reef Symposium. which are increasingly threatened by climate The science was exciting and it was great change and other anthropogenic effects. seeing old friends, but updates on the state of the worlds’ reefs and the need to act now to Back in Buffalo, in addition to my graduate and save them were sobering messages. undergraduate teaching, I direct the Graduate

8 RESEARCH NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

Bored of Graptolites?

Jörg Maletz, Visiting Assistant Professor

After the frantic days of last summer with a lites from Korea with post-doc Hyun Su Cho, conference on the Ordovician and Silurian Middle Ordovician graptolites from Argentina Systems in Nanjing (China), at which I pre- (with Blanca Toro, Mendoza, Argentina) and sented a number of talks on biostratigraphy, Peru (with Heinrich Bahlburg, Cornelia biogeography and evolution of Ordovician Reimann and Michaela Spiske, Münster, Ger- graptolites and radiolarians with colleagues many and Edsel Brussa, Cordoba, Argentina) from the USA, Argentina and Germany, things and paleogeography and sequence stratigra- got a little quieter and I was able to concentrate phy in Scandinavia (with Sven Egenhoff, Fort on teaching and research. The GSA Meet- Collins, Colorado). ing in Denver was the next challenge with a An exciting project is the recently re-submitted Figure 1: An impression of Prague in July 2008, a very presentation by Jesse Carlucci on a cladistic touristy and crowded city. analysis of Lower to Middle Ordovician grapto- NSF proposal on ”Direct Re-Os dating of Or- lite faunas, and others on biostratigraphy and dovician graptolite biozones in Newfoundland” paleogeography in Scandinavia and on Ordovi- with Judy Hannah, Holly Stein and Sven cian ostracod faunas from Québec (Canada). Egenhoff (CSU Fort Collins, Colorado), for which we had a meeting discussing details Jesse Carlucci also presented his research in Berlin. on graptolite evolution and taxonomy at the NEGSA in Buffalo this spring and graduated As the geologic time scale relies on correlation in May. His work will be featured prominently of absolute ages with biostratigraphy, it is excit- in the project for a new edition of the Treatise ing to be able to directly date fossil material Graptolithina (edited by Chuck Mitchell, and improve the accuracy and resolution of Figure 2: Judy Hannah (l) and Holly Stein (r) at the Neptun Fountain on Alexanderplatz, Berlin (June 2008). Buffalo and Mike Melchin, Antigonish, Nova the time scale with this new method. It is very Scotia, Canada). The preparations for this proj- unusual to be able to directly date fossil materi- ect included a ten-day workshop in the Prague als and to provide fossil age data not only via Region of the Czech Republic for me, perfectly relative dating and biostratigraphy. Therefore, scheduled for summer 2008. Luckily, Prague we have high hopes for this project. is just a few hours by train from Berlin, where I So I am not bored of graptolites yet - but there am living when I am not teaching in Buffalo. is so much more in the world to do and so little The NEGSA in Buffalo this spring also led to time …Last semester should have been the new territory for me: I led a fieldtrip on Middle last semester for me in Buffalo. Thus, I thought and Upper Devonian strata in western New of giving a farewell talk in the Pegrum Lecture York (thanks to Bettina Martínez-Hackert Figure 3: Judy Hannah (r) and Holly Stein (l) crossing Series – great idea – but what to present? at Buffalo State College, who asked me to the former border between Berlin (east) and Berlin (west) behind the Reichstag. This is where the Berlin organize this trip) - not that I worked that much Talking about graptolites or radiolarians, about wall was between 1961 and 1989. in the Devonian so far, but I had done fieldtrips my interest in biostratigraphy and paleogeog- for my classes before and I am interested in raphy … who wants to know? Thus, I choose Devonian microfossils, especially radiolarians. a different topic, my favorite fossil group: The My research is going on in various directions, Rhinogradentia or Snouters. including taxonomy of Tremadocian grapto- continued page 10

9 RESEARCH NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

continued from page 9

Many of you attended the talk and apparently more than 100 species that evolved on these enjoyed it - For the rest a few notes here: islands. The Rhinogradentia recently gained more attention and wider distribution through The Snouters are a fictive group of mam- the internet, where hundreds of websites can mals, created by the German professor now be found and even life-like reconstructions Gerolf Steiner to educate his students about of the peculiar animals are provided. The evolution. He developed the idea around the Rhinogradentia even found their way into scientist Harald Stümpke and his monograph scientific journals (e.g. Kashkina 2004). on the Rhinogradentia. The idea was to show how evolution might have acted on a group of References: rodents(?) in isolation on a distant archipelago. Kashkina, M.I. Dendronasus sp. - a new spe- A comparable - but real - example of island cies of the Nose-Walkers (Rhinogradentia). Figure 4: Nasobema lyricum, the Morgenstern Nasobema (based on an original illustration from the evolution would be the Galapagos Islands west Russian Journal of Marine Biology30, 148-150. book). of the coast of South America, providing prime (2004). examples of allopatric speciation with the Darwin finches, the giant tortoises and others. Stümpke, Harald, Bau und Leben der Rhi- On the Hi-Iay Islands, somewhere in the Pacific nogradentia. Mit Vorwort und Abbildungen von Ocean, a strange fauna with primitive mam- Gerolf Steiner. Gustav-Fischer-Verlag, mals developing their noses in various ways for Stuttgart, (1981). ISBN 3-437-30083-0. walking and even flying, was found. Unfortu- Stümpke, Harald, The Snouters: Form and Life nately the islands were destroyed in 1956 by a of the Rhinogrades. Translated by Leigh Chad- nuclear explosion and all traces of the faunas wick. The University of Chicago Press (1967). were lost. Steiner described and illustrated

Figure 5: New cladistic diagram of the relationships of the Rhinogradentia (Maletz, unpubl.).

Monitoring Climate Change from Space: Updates from the Remote Sensing Lab Beata Csatho, Associate Professor The polar regions have been undergoing environmental changes, including higher mean Toni Schenk continued their research for com- dramatic changes during the past few decades. annual air temperatures, increasing precipita- bining multisensor data from remote sensing, Glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica are tion, and thawing of permafrost. Our research photogrammetry, geodesy and in situ measure- accelerating and surface melt increases in the demonstrate how remote sensing and digital ments. Drs. Briner and Csatho have received coastal regions. In addition, iceberg calving in imaging techniques can produce rich datasets a new grant from NSF to link recent changes Antarctica has increased in frequency, millen- needed to investigate these rapid changes in from historical data with the paleo-record on order to understand how the polar regions may nia-old floating ice shelves are disintegrating the behavior of the Greenland Ice Sheet’s respond to future climate changes. and the sea ice cover of the Arctic Ocean is fastest and most dynamic outlet glacier, Jakobshavn Isbræ, to quantify its sensitivity to rapidly decreasing. High latitude terrestrial To measure ongoing changes of Greenland temperature change. ecosystems have also experienced dramatic and Antarctic glaciers Drs. Bea Csatho and

10 RESEARCH NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

Drs. Csatho and Schenk have also received The Remote Sensing Lab also participated support from NASA to participate in the work at the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sens- of the ad-hoc science team definition team of ing Symposium, held in July 2008 in Boston. the ICESat-II satellite. ICESat-II, planned to be As part of the outreach program Dr. Taehun launched in 2015, will monitor cryospheric and Yoon, a research scientist of the lab, demon- vegetation changes of the Earth. strated ongoing research on 3D visualization. The 3D images and animations presented at Justin Rich (MS student) is examining the the meeting included remote sensing data of current surface conditions of a study area near the Jakobshavn Glacier, Greenland from NASA the Arctic Long Term Ecological Research site and from the Center for Remote Sensing of Ice at Toolik Lake, Alaska. He seeks to differenti- Sheets, U. of Kansas; a simulation of the Frank ate the surficial geology and geomorphology, landslide, Turtle Mountain, Alberta, Canada largely influenced by glacial activity, as well as modeled by the TITAN software and provided ecology of the region. Using an object oriented by Dr. Michael Sheridan; and remote sensing Justin Rich measures the spectra of tundra multi-scale segmentation approach, his study data of Mono Lake, CA from Dr. Marcus vegetation by using a field spectrometer, North is utilizing Definiens Professional, a remote Bursik. Viewers were wearing special polariz- Slope of Alaska in 2007 – Field course on Soils af- sensing application which, among other things, ing glasses, similar to those worn at 3D movie fected by permafrost, led by Chien-Lu Ping (UAF). allows for fuzzy analysis of data and integration theaters, which allowed them to perceive depth of multiple data types within the same project. in the images projected on the screen. Future young researchers were dazzled to see evi- About to start her second year as a MS dences of glacier’s thinning in 3-D! People from student, Heather Stewart has been staying Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science busy this past summer as a Provant Logger in Rochester Institute of Technology also joined for the UB Field Camp and in Alaska attending with the Remote Sensing Lab to demonstrate Dr. Briner’s Advanced Field Methods course. a 3D visualization software of urban sites. Heather’s focus at the moment has been pre- The group has also been active in collecting paring for field work near Ilulissat, Greenland and sharing remote sensing data of the polar at the Jakobshavn Glacier. She, along with Dr. regions. MS student Justin Rich with Jennifer Heather Stewart in Alaska with Mt. McKinley in Briner, Dr. Schenk, and PhD student Nicolas Dexheimer (nee Farino) and Melissa Zelazny background, glaciology field trip in 2008 with Dr. Jason Briner. Young, are spending more than a month in (UB geology undergraduate students) was 2008 summer near the Jakobshavn Glacier, collecting and organizing digital maps, satellite Greenland to core pro-glacial lakes and obtain imagery and aerial photographs for a new GIS high resolution GPS data. Being co-advised by database of Greenland, which will be used Dr. Bea Csatho and Dr. Jason Briner, Heather for identifying areas undergoing significant is privileged to integrate current and recent changes during the past few decades. Melissa glacial changes seen in aerial photos and has also developed a new interactive website satellite images with glacial changes seen in featuring Greenland mass balance data, col- the lake sediment record. This past year she lected by NASA’s PARCA project in the 1990s. has successfully presented preliminary results She will continue her research in remote sens- of ice flux changes in the past 20 years at the ing at UB as a graduate student studying linea- International Arctic Workshop in Boulder, CO, ments in central New York State as part of the Melissa Zelazny in Mexico, volcanology field trip in 2008 with Dr. Eliza Calder. and at the UB Sigma Xi Research Day; winning CO2 sequestration project of Dr. Bob Jacobi first place in the Sigma Xi poster contest. and Bea Csatho, funded by the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority.

11 RESEARCH NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

Big Findings in Little Science

Tracy L. Bank, Assistant Professor

ous solutions using atomic force microscopy ways to prevent biofilm formation and, hence, (AFM). He is now working to identify how reduce periodontal disease and tooth decay. slight changes in aqueous and non-aqueous Anja presented her preliminary results at the geochemistry, such as pH and ionic strength, Northeastern GSA and will present final results influences these forces. Michael presented of her study at the upcoming AFM workshop his preliminary results at the Northeastern in California. GSA meeting and will present an update of his results at the regional AAPG meeting in In addition to AFM, we are currently investigat- Pittsburgh this fall. ing how the fate and transport of toxic metals are influenced by aqueous chemistry and redox Figure 1: SEM image of silica colloid attached to We are also continuing our collaboration with conditions. Kylah Wyatt joined the research AFM cantilever. the Department of Oral Biology and Dr. Giese group in January ‘08 and has developed a new Several research projects investigating nano- in the Geology Department. PhD student Anja method of measuring arsenic transport through scale forces in geologic and related systems Dosen is working to determine the nature of sedimentary columns. Her research will help are underway in the new nano(bio)geochem- adhesion between Aggregatibacter actinomy- us understand the significance of redox condi- istry lab. Michael Bower joined the group in cetemcomitans and tooth and mineral surfaces. tions and temperature on arsenic transport fall ‘07 and has been studying the forces that The bacterium, affectionately called Aa, is an through porous sediments. We also continue stabilize silica and iron oxide colloids in aque- indigenous oral pathogen that readily forms to collaborate with Oak Ridge National Lab and ous and non-aqueous systems. These forces biofilm on dental surfaces. The biofilm con- Montana State University in our quest to better are extremely important in understanding the tributes to the formation of plaque and causes understand the relationship between biofilm fate and transport of pollutants in the subsur- localized aggressive gum disease. Using AFM, growth, aqueous chemistry, and bioremedia- face, as well as in maximizing efficient removal our collaborative research will determine the tion of uranium. We are excited to welcome of hydrocarbons from sedimentary systems. mechanism of adhesion of the cell and tooth two new graduate students to the group in fall Michael is focusing on geologically relevant surface and how that mechanism is possibly ‘08. Their interests are both in bioremediation colloidal systems and he has made the first changed due to salivary chemistry (yup- spit of inorganic contaminants and will focus on measurements of colloidal forces in non-aque- chemistry!). Data from this study may suggest uranium and arsenic remediation.

Lava Lab Exploding With Students Tracy Gregg, Associate Professor

The Lava Lab was an exiting place this last position at Colin Community College in Plano, rhyolite lava flows in Idaho will continue, as she year! Mr. Joel Allen successfully defended TX, and began teaching there this fall. guides her own students to do fieldwork there. his M.S. thesis in the fall, describing and Ms. Emily Laity is balancing a full-time job interpreting the distribution of pedestal craters Ph.D. candidate Ms. Abigail Semple is now Ms. Abigail Domagall, and she successfully at a local environmental consulting firm with on and around the Medusae Fosse Formation, completed the oral defense of her Ph.D. dis- finishing the writing of her M.S. thesis. She’s Mars. He’s spent this summer working for the sertation in the spring of 2008. She’s currently completed the planned data collection and National Park Service in Bryce Canyon as an working on finishing up the written portion of analyses of the distribution of submarine lava interpreter. Mr. Brett Burkett also successfully her dissertation requirements, and plans to pillars at the Juan de Fuca Ridge and the East defended his M.S. thesis in the fall. His work have that completed before she starts teaching Pacific Rise, and now just needs to finish writ- concentrated on the strange Hualca Hualca another year at Black Hills State University in ing the thesis and plans to defend this fall. volcano in Peru. Mr. Burkett has accepted a Spearfish, SD. Her research on large-volume 12 RESEARCH NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

M.S. candidate Ms. Kelly Shockey joined the (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) as we try to put Exploration Academy.” The goal is to provide lab this year, and is supported through NASA together a text book for advanced volcanology a living and learning community for under- grants to investigate the spatial distribution of students. Dr. Lopes, Dr. David Rothery (The graduates who are particularly interested in basaltic shield volcanoes on Earth, Mars, and Open University) and I are co-chairing a ses- the research opportunities offered at UB. See the Moon. She’ll be joined this fall by M.S. sion on Planetary Volcanism at the upcoming http://academy.buffalo.edu/ for more informa- candidate Ms. Trevelyn Lough, who will be International Association of Volcanology and tion about this effort. working on a NASA-funded project to generate Chemistry of Earth’s Interior (IAVCEI) confer- I’m looking forward to a new year, sure to be the one of the first new geologic map of the ence in Iceland. filled with enthusiastic students and grand lunar surface in over 30 years! A great deal of my time over the past year was adventures! spent on establishing a new undergraduate I’m continuing my collaborations with Dr. Sarah research program at UB, called the “Research Fagents (U. of Hawaii) and Dr. Rosaly Lopes

Rocks, Ridges and Glaciers: The Alaska Field Methods Adventure Greg Babonis, UB Geology Ph.D. Student

The poet Robert Service claimed “there are put to the test when we visited 27-Mile Creek geology expertise of Dr. Jason Briner and to strange things done ‘neath the midnight Glacier. There, we were split into two groups learn from each other as we explored, mapped, sun.” I’d say there’s nothing strange at all to explore and map the extent of the Little Ice and studied glacial environments in Alaska. about filling your days with moraine mapping, Age advances of the 27-Mile Creek Glacier, learning about the past advances of glaciers, which have never been mapped before. On bushwhacking miles of alder trees, and hiking the last day of the journey we drove back to hummocky terrain in search of the elusive Anchorage, stopping at the Matanuska Glacier Rhizocarpon Geographicum; and all of this and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park (home to while keeping roaming bears at bay. This a glacier larger than the state of Rhode Island). was the daily routine of the Alaska Field That evening, we toasted a successful journey, Methods course. and went our separate ways back to Buffalo.

On July 3, 2008, 17 students, TA Nicolas Student involvement was an extremely impor- Young, and Dr. Jason Briner trekked 176 tant part of the Alaska Field Methods course, Mt. McKinley, Alaska. miles north from Anchorage, Alaska, to Denali not only in the classroom but also in the field. National Park. A 6-hour, 85-mile bus ride later Graduate and undergraduate students, alike, through majestic untamed wilderness teeming prepared for the field portion of the course with caribou and bears, we stood on miles of by researching and giving presentations on dead ice at the foot of the Muldrow Glacier that topics of Alaskan geology and glacial geology. winds its way down the flanks of Mt. McKin- In the field, students led demonstrations and ley. From Denali we headed east, across the discussions on techniques useful to under- Alaskan oil pipeline, to the Castner and Wor- standing glacial geology such as lichenometry, thington glaciers where we learned about tree dendrochronology, proglacial geochemistry, coring and moraine mapping. All of the field and subglacial hydrology. The whole trip was Group photo at Denali National Park. techniques we employed during the trip were equally an opportunity to learn from the glacial 13 RESEARCH NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

Eruption Forecasting for the Masses Sara Hanson-Hedgecock, UB Geology MS Student

Understanding the eruption history of a volcano data and lithostratigraphic characteristics. The for each volcanic tephra layer. This spatial is important in forecasting future eruptive data is processed by the intelligent system by information is important in the determination of behavior and hazards. At Pinatubo, the record a suite of both unsupervised and supervised eruption patterns and is used by the intelligent of ignimbrite deposits from repeated, large ex- classifiers, built and combined within the system classifier to correlate of tephra layers. plosive eruptions indicated that the repose time framework of the evidence theory. Integrating the maps and expert knowledge between eruptions decreased through time and about stratigraphic order of the tephra layers that the volcano was due for another ash-flow The tephra beds of the Mono-Inyo Craters, into the classifier improves the lithostrati- event from the central vent. In volcanic chains California, are used to test the ability of the graphic correlation from 56% to 87% of layers and fields, with a more complex eruptive intelligent system for tephra layer correlation. correctly identified. Geochemical data for de- history and no central vent, determination These data were collected by Dr. Bursik and fining groups of tephra sources are processed of eruption patterns becomes more difficult. students; Shannon Kobs, Shannon Burkett, by a suit of fuzzy k-means classifiers. Improved Although eruption patterns can most easily be Justin Deming, Stephanie Piil and Charles clustering results of geochemical data are determined from correlation of tephra beds by Meyn. The Mono-Inyo Craters are comprised achieved by the fusion of individual clustering their lithologic, mineralogic, and geochemical of craters, domes and flows that extend 40 results with an evidential combination method. properties, the collection of enough data for km northward from the Long Valley caldera to The intelligent system aids correlation by analysis is costly and time consuming. Mono Lake. The volcanic chain is character- showing matches and disparities between data ized by a variety of magma and eruption types patterns from different outcrops that may have Dr. Marcus Bursik and Dr. Galya Rogova and by migration of the volcanic activity in been overlooked. The intelligent system pro- have developed an intelligent computer space and time. The most recent eruption of duces a useful recognition result, while dealing system to correlate tephra layers by using the the Mono Craters occurred between A.D. 1325 with the uncertainty from sparse data and the lithologic and geochemical characteristics of and 1365, and is referred to as the North Mono imprecise description of layer characteristics. field samples, to aid geologists in interpreting eruption. The intelligent system has proved to be a good eruption patterns in volcanic chains and fields. tool for pattern classification and matching The intelligent system is used to define groups Sara Hanson-Hedgecock has been working since it can extract complex patterns and of tephra source vents and to correlate tephra to develop methods to automatically calculate detect trends better than many other pattern layers based on combination of geochemical maps of thickness, lithic and pumice size recognition methods.

14 ALUMNI NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

Paleontology—So Much More Than Just Fossils! An Alumni Profile: Dr. Stephen Hasiotis, MS ’91, BA ‘85 Heather Kornacki, Project Staff Assistant

Science and the study of science, evolves. idea what I wanted to do. I remember coming Particularly over the last decade or so, Science to the University at Buffalo as a senior or junior has become increasingly multi-disciplined. in high school to see what the department was Many science programs offer interdisciplinary all about and thought this is gonna be a great tracks to broaden a students’ knowledge of the place! I thought I wanted to be a petroleum ge- subject matter. Take for instance, paleontol- ologist; I wanted to work on an oil rig – I never ogy – which is thought by non-geologists to thought I’d become a professor.” But, in 2001, be simply the study of fossils. However, those Hasiotis took an assistant professor position in who know better, understand that paleontology the Department of Geology at the University of is so much more. It’s the study of what fossils Kansas and has since moved up the ranks to tell us about the ecologies of our past, about associate professor. Picture 1: Dr. Stephen Hasiotis, MS ’91, BA ‘85. evolution and our place as humans in the world. As such, paleontology draws from and In 2003, U. S. News and World Report ranked adds to knowledge from many disciplines like KU’s program in paleontology fifth in the nation. anthropology, geology, biology, botany, zool- We asked Steve what it was like to be part of ogy, ecology, and even computer science. This such a successful program and what he attri- has lead to the growth of subdisciplines like butes to the program’s success. “Our success invertebrate paleontology, vertebrate paleontol- is building upon strengths but also maintaining ogy, paleoecology, geomicrobiology, paleobio- balance and being active. It’s not so much the geography, and on and on. This fall, we sat pedigree but the productivity and our interac- Picture 2: Hasiotis at Cabin Peak Mountain. down with alumnus Dr. Stephen T. Hasiotis tions with our colleagues across the country (known to former classmates as Zorba!), As- and internationally. I think that is why we are sociate Professor of Geology at the University such an effective program. We are standing of Kansas, to talk about his perspective of this on the shoulders of giants – in particular those changing science. Steve focuses on ichnology, giants being R.C. Moore [Raymond C. Moore] the study of trace fossils and trackways, and and his contemporaries.” KU’s Paleontology he uses these in combination with detailed Program is studied through multiple depart- fieldwork, to study key evolutionary events ments, including the Geology Department and in the history of arthropods and vertebrates. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Depart- He uses fossil trackways not only to identify ment, with research also conducted in other trace makers but also to study the ecology disciplines, such as Anthropology. We asked Picture 3: Hasiotis and his colleague in Alaska. and evolution of behavior. Steve received his Hasiotis what his thoughts were regarding on moons of Jupiter. I think this strengthens our Bachelor’s of Arts and his Master’s of Arts such a multi-disciplinary program “This creates programs because of the selection of courses degrees from UB Geology in 1985 and 1991, students who are going to be well trained or under the guise of other departments yet with a respectively and his PhD from the University of better trained to deal with future issues in focus in particular strengths. The down side is Colorado, Boulder in 1997. Explaining his ca- paleontology and understanding new frontiers the students are split up in so many depart- reer choices, Stephen said, “UB Geology really like the deep oceans, deep earth, or potential ments our program can be underestimated.” prepared me well for a future in which I had no life on extraterrestrial bodies – Mars and the

continued page 16 15 ALUMNI NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

continued from page 15

together and….. publish what we know about John King would have corralled my crayfish taxonomy, we would have basically taken care which had escaped from the tanks overnight of everything and its usefulness would come to and were walking down the hallway.” an end because we’ve figured everything out. But here we are in 2008-2009 and we are still We asked Steve how he felt about those times putting out new volumes, we are re-doing and and his studies as UB Geology, and he replied updating the taxonomy and we are publishing “I loved my time at UB Geology. It was the pro- what we know about the world’s taxonomy of gram, it was the learning, it was the field trips invertebrate paleo and micro paleo and we are – I just loved my time there, it was all just so Picture 4: Hasiotis and his “famous” crayfish tank doing the same thing with trace fossils. So it is much fun. I love the department and the thing when he was studying at UB Geology. a really important part of the department.” I remember the most was being at the Ridge Lea Campus. We had our own campus, our In addition to his teaching duties, Dr. Hasiotis own building. We had barbeques and picnics has been serving as co-editor of PALAIOS, an there in the parking lot. It was great camara- international peer-reviewed journal published derie and excellent professors. We had a very by the Society of Sedimentary Geologists balanced, classical education in geology, which (SEPM) since 2006. We talked to Steve about really prepared me well for a future.” his experience as co-editor and asked him how he prepared for such an appointment. We could not agree more about the value of a Hastiotis explained that as a student, he’d give integrated approach to learning. For instance, Joe Maxwell MA ’87, BA ‘84 and Steve Hasiotis in 1986. his advisor, Dr. Charles Mitchell, chapters to our Ecology and Evolution research area ranges from the paleobiology of graptolites An important component to the Paleontology his thesis work and get them back with pencil to the population genetics of modern coral Program at KU is the Paleontological Institute. marks everywhere and things crossed out. reef invertebrates. The research foci of our The Institute is home to the Treatise on Inver- Steve said this was a tremendous learning faculty are on studies of marine and aquatic tebrate Paleontology and serves as a clearing- experience for him, teaching him how to incor- invertebrates and the ecological and evolution- house for the world’s taxonomy of invertebrate porate these changes into his thinking. ary scale interactions between the environ- paleontology as well as ichnology and some “These life experiences from my time at Buf- ment and morphological, physiological and of the micropaleontology. R.C. Moore, the falo to my time at Colorado and then here at genetic traits. Most recently we have added project’s founder, imagined the Treatise as KU, really helped prepare me for being the an explicitly interdisciplinary graduate program ultimately comprising three hefty volumes with co-editor of PALIOS.“ He continued, “Our pur- in Evolution, Ecology and Behavior, where a total of some 3,000 pages. The Treatise, pose is to make people’s research better and students can actually earn a Master’s or PhD expanding fifty years beyond Moore’s vision, present it in a fashion that gives it the highest while working with a consortium of faculty from now comprises 49 volumes and involves the profile possible.” a broad spectrum of the disciplinary depart- work of more than 300 authors worldwide with Steve’s active research projects include using ments at UB, including Anatomy, Anthropology, another dozen or so volumes in various stages trace fossils to understand the Cambrian Biological Sciences, Geology, Psychology, and of preparation. “Along with the Paleo Institute radiation, studying the formation of soils, and Geography. The program’s goal is to promote and the Treatise…..the KU Paleontological evaluating the origins and evolution of crayfish interdisciplinary research and education in Contributions were created for fast turnaround and other groups of continental invertebrates. the study of evolution, ecology and behavior. of papers on invertebrate paleo taxonomy. The When Steve was a master’s student, he used For more information on this or our other Treatise was a place where they didn’t put new to study active burrows and had a tank of cray- programs, please visit us online at information but was a summary of taxonomy fish in his office. Hasiotis recalled, “I remember www.geology.buffalo.edu. to date. One of the interesting things about coming in the next day and Bob Jacobi or it is people thought that once we had this all

16 ALUMNI NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

UB Geology Alumni Events

OCTOBER, 2007: UB Geology Hosted Participants included many geology faculty, Private Alumni Reception at GSA National. including Dr. Michael Sheridan (Director of the On Monday, October 29, 2007 UB Geology Center for GeoHazards Studies), Dr. Marcus hosted a private alumni event in which nearly Bursik, Dr. Beata Csatho, and Dr. Eliza Calder 30 alumni and friends caught up each other and Dr. Tracy Gregg. Additionally, many alumni and department faculty over good food and participated in the conference, including Dr. wine. The event was held at the Hyatt Regency Bernard Hubbard (USGS), as well as many Denver, at the Colorado Convention Center. current students. Some of whom can be seen in the picture to the right. NOVEMBER, 2007: Dr. Mitchell Goes to Houston, Texas The conference consisted of four sessions with a total of 27 talks, four of which were invited In early November, 2007, Dr. Charles E. keynote presentations. There were 20 posters Mitchell traveled to Houston, TX to visit with by students about their research and projects. alumni and friends from that area. Alumni Figure 1: Poster of the First conference hosted by the Center for GeoHazards Studies. board members, Dr. Gary P. Citron and Dr. The session’s topics were: Modeling and Un- James Douglas Murphy graciously agreed to certainty in Geohazards, Geohazard Analy- host the event. sis and Management with Remote Sensing and GIS, Case Studies of Hazards, and MARCH, 2008: Conference, Natural Health, Communication, and Management. Disasters in Small Communities: The conference was videotaped and it will be How Can We Help? posted on our website http://www.geohazards. This past March 29th and 30th the Center for buffalo.edu for everyone to see. A CD with all GeoHazards Studies hosted its first conference the conference abstracts was created and it can entitled “Natural Disasters in Small Communi- be obtained by sending an email to geohaz@ ties: How can we help?” buffalo.edu. The journal NATURAL HAZARDS Figure 2: From left to right: Melissa Zelazny, has expressed an interest in publishing a spe- Leila Marzeki, Gregory Babonis, Sarah Ogburn This meeting provided a forum for experts in cial volume devoted to the theme of the confer- all Geology students enjoying and talking science, mathematics, engineering, social during one of the breaks. ence featuring papers by conference authors. sciences, communication and management Go to our website for updates on that and many to share viewpoints on disaster research with other things happening. their colleagues, students and members of the public. There were 90 participants who came from as far away as Colombia, United King- continued page 18 dom and Canada and represented 34 institu- tions, universities, colleges, and businesses.

Figure 3: In for front and from left to right Dr. Renschler from UB, Dr. Kremmens from RIT, and a third man talk during the student poster presentation. In the background you have several students and professors talking in front of the students posters.

17 ALUMNIRESEARCH NEWS NEWS | THE | THE EPOCH EPOCH | No. | No.38 38

continued from page 17

APRIL 2008: Alumnus Paul Mayewski APRIL 2008: UB Geology Hosted Private FALL 2008: ConocoPhillips To Visit UB Returns to UB to Give Climate Talk and Alumni Reception at AAPG Geology to Recruit Students for Summer Receive Award On Monday, April 21, 2008, UB Geology hosted Internships a private alumni event in which many alumni Alumni Advisory Board Member, Paul Basinksi, and friends caught up with each other and BA ’75, plans to visit UB Geology with col- department faculty. The event was held at the league Jacek Lupa to give a Pegrum Lecture Grand Hyatt, San Antonio. and interview students for summer 2009 internship positions with ConocoPhillips. Paul OCTOBER, 2008: UB Geology Hosted will give a lecture “Unconventional Shale Gas Private Alumni Reception at GSA National Exploration: Paradigms, Paradoxes & Prospec- in October 2008! tivity,” to students, faculty and alumni. On Monday, October 6th from 7:00 PM until Watch for more upcoming alumni events on 9:30 PM, UB Geology hosted a private alumni www.geology.buffalo.edu and/or through event in which alumni and friends were able your e-mail! to catch up with each other and department faculty. The event was held at the Hilton Americas-Houston.

OCTOBER 2008: Alumni Advisory Board Dr. Paul M. Mayewski, Director and Professor, Member, David Muscalo, Gave Pegrum Climate Change Institute, University of Maine Lecture on Thursday, October 16, 2008. gave a lecture, “The The Ice Chronicles, Rapid Climate Change, the Importance of Polar Regions, and Implications for the Future” to students, alumni, faculty and friends on April 4, 2008. Mayewski’s lecture defined climate and detailed how climate changes, why climate changes an how humans are impacting climate. Mayewski explored whether recent climate change is part of a natural process or in a “new state.” Mayewski is a 1964 gradu- David Muscalo, MA ‘69, BA ‘66 ate of UB Geology and has led several major David Muscalo, MA ’69, BA ’66, gave a Pegrum scientific projects including Greenland Ice Lecture on why and how he chose to be a Sheet Project 2, International Transantarctic geologist, sharing highlights of his career and Scientific Expedition and the Central Asian giving a description of some of the geology Deep Ice Coring, authored more than 300 found in New Jersey. The Pegrum Lecture publications and has been a keynote speaker Series was established to honor Reginald H. at as many events. He was this year’s recipient Pegrum, founder of UB’s Geology Department. of the University at Buffalo Alumni Achievement This series is funded in part by the Maurice Award in recognition of his work in polar glacier Crook and Orin Foster Lecture funds. Lectures research. In attendance were Professor’s are free and open to the public. For informa- Emeriti: Dr. Parker Calkin and Dr. Dennis tion on this lecture and others, please visit us Hodge. Congratulations Paul! online at www.geology.buffalo.edu.

18 ALUMNI NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

Geology Alumni Advisory Board Completes Successful First Year James Douglas Murphy, MA, ’72, GAAB Chair

The UB Geology Alumni Advisory Board There is an extensive network out there just While these outreach events will be an ongoing (GAAB) has had a successful first year of waiting to be reconnected and it is the intention effort and will continue to be both fun and operation. The brainchild of former Depart- of this Board to be the enabler in that process. valuable to the participants, the Board has a ment Chair, Chuck Mitchell, the concept was You can expect an expanding effort to make larger vision for our contribution to the further nurtured on the back of a boat in Long contact with you. Don’t hit the DELETE button, Department, including: Beach Harbor at the 2007 AAPG convention. this is not a fundraising effort, it truly is an effort • Adding to the educational experience of the With encouragement and assistance from Deb to rewire the global UB Geoscience network. students, thereby improving and expanding McKinzie, UB Vice President of Development their employment opportunities. and Melanie Buhrmaster-Bunch, Director of Two specific results of the first GAAB meet- • Enhancing the image of the department with Corporate and Foundation Relations, Chuck ing involved the Outreach and Development government and industry, focusing on enlisted a core of volunteers for the first GAAB objectives. Chuck Mitchell committed that the creating greater employment and research meeting which was held on October 1, 2007, department will continue its outreach to alumni funding opportunities. at the University. You can see the make-up of by sponsoring receptions at national conven- • On into the future, the “Big Stuff” could the initial Board on the department web site: tions, such as the AAPG and GSA. Addition- include an Endowed Chair, a Study Center and http://www.geology.buffalo.edu/alumnirelations/ ally, Gary Citron and Jim Murphy volunteered a Speakers Fund. advisoryboard.shtml. to sponsor a Houston, Texas alumni reception/ dinner in November, 2007. Most of you know that there have been The meeting was opened by Dr. Bruce changes in the department’s organization. McCombe, Dean of the College of Arts and As you read this, we will have had a UB recep- Chuck Mitchell has survived his sentence Sciences, who provided the Board with an tion at the AAPG in San Antonio in April, 2008 as Department Chair (he will need extensive endorsement from the University and an insight and at the GSA in Houston on October 6, 2008. rehabilitation). He is succeeded by Richelle into expected outcomes from the University’s Citron and Murphy pulled off the Houston Allen-King as Department Chair and Marcus perspective. A field trip and lively discussion reception with the able assistance of Chuck Bursik as Associate Chair. Marcus will have throughout the afternoon and evening resulted Mitchell, Heather Kornacki of the Department primary responsibility for GAAB, although in a grouping of five overall objectives and and Deb McKinzie and Melanie Burmaster- Chuck will continue to buy drinks and provide the formation of committees to manage those Bunch. All three events were a great success valuable pontification. objectives. In the interest of brevity, the objec- with alums from around the country reconnect- tives are only summarized here: ing with one another and with the department. As a final note, none of this will be possible • Program Enhancement without the active participation and input of all The 2008 AAPG reception was particularly • Development alums. Take a minute and contact other UB exciting because of the number of attend- • Outreach Activities grads that you know and encourage them to ees and the diversity of their geography and • Communication check in and share their contact information employment choices. There were alums from • “Big Stuff” with the department so that we can make them NY, TX, CA, IL, CT, WV, CO, OK and The aware of upcoming events. Get active yourself There was an overarching theme to all of our Netherlands. Long-lost faces like John Karlo and plan, with the department’s help, a local discussion. As an Alumni Board, the founda- and Sam Koster materialized and people were event. In short, help us rewire the network tion of our efforts and activities is reaching out reluctant to let the bartender shut down the to the mutual benefit of the department, the to Alumni and bringing you back into the UB room. In true UB Geoscience style, we partied students and the alumni. Geoscience community. UB, and the depart- on long after the bar closed. We got contact Oh, by the way, there’s a pretty good football ment specifically, were instrumental in our info for everyone and added to our growing team playing in Buffalo this season, and they’re success and in making us what we are today. network database. not just in the NFL. 19 ALUMNI NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

A Word about Alumni Giving

It’s been a year of changes at UB Geology, there is no doubt about that. Our staff offices and classrooms are moving (or by the time you read this, will have moved) from Natural Sciences to Cooke Hall. We’ve had a change in department leadership, with our first-ever woman chair at the helm! We’ve added even more new faculty to the department, expanding our programs – and even have said goodbye to some faculty we’ll miss. One thing that hasn’t changed is our dedication to our students and their success. We’re working harder than ever to provide students with a solid aca- demic foundation, offering our top students scholarships and placing more and more into good paying internships so they can gain work experience prior to graduation. This assistance is so important, especially in such tough economic times – and it wouldn’t be possible without the support of our dedicated alumni.

This year the department awarded 31 scholarships, totaling more than $19,000. Without your support we would not be able to provide our students with this level of support. In addition to scholarships, gifts from alumni and friends helps us support student field trips - including our outstanding summer field camp program.

Donations to UB Geology Thank you to the following alumni and friends who have donated to UB Geology since July 1, 2007: (Reporting on donations received July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008).

David L. Aloysius Shinji Fujimoto Ross W. Richards American Association of Petroleum Tyler E. Gass James E. Rivard Geologists Foundation Stephen E. Gatz Bertil W. Rolander Anadarko Petroleum Corporation Global Impact Byron R. Rupp Mary P. Anderson Stephen T. Hasiotis Salvatore J. Schillaci Joseph R. Baker Garrett G. Hollands Michael C. Schmidt John H. Barnes Ronald E. Janowsky John P. Scofield Paul M. Basinski Michael I. Khan Robert C. Seiler Michael G. Beikirch Heather A. Kornacki Theresa E. D. Seitz Parker E. Calkin Margie H. Koslow Debra Shaffer Carleton Technologies, Inc. John L. Krajewski Gerald D. Shaffer Richard G. Chalcraftå Susan I. Krajewski Robert A. Spiller Duane E. Champion Andrew J. Kucserik Jack F. Sweeney Stephen C. Condon James T. Lagonegro Margot Sutton ConocoPhillips Corporation G. Warren Leve Nicholas Terech Father Luigi Cremis David E. Mann P. Michael Terlecky Theodore E. Davis Jr. Glenn M. May Paul S. Vallone Donald J. Drazan Kathryn M. McKee Charles J. Vasilius Harris Economou Eileen T. Mohr Kathy E. Vasilius James M. Ellis Barbara L. Munro Chris W. Viani Victoria L. Everett Kenneth J. Munro Jr. Michael J. Welch David A. Fagerlund Elizabeth A. Porter Donald R. Wiesnet Judith A. Fenerty Scott A. Powlin Harold O. Wolf Dianne Foley Diehl Daniel G. Quible Lori A. Zimmerman Dorothea C. Duttweiler Estate Lawrence A. Reade Glenn G. Zinter

20 ALUMNI NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

How I Caught a Break Sarah Gay, UB Geology Undergraduate Student

It was a particularly bad mid-April day. The I then received an ambiguous email, direct- tried). Receiving the Duttweiler Scholarship pressures of final exams, labs, and projects, ing me to meet with UB Geology professor, helped make it more enjoyable, and I’m very finding an apartment, preparing for a month Dr. Marcus Bursik. I was informed then that glad to have received it! out west, and trying to maintain my schedule I would receive the Duttweiler Field Camp at work were mounting, as I am sure any Award. Along with being relieved at the timing college student can relate to. Then I realized of it, I was, and still am, honored and thank- that on top of the cost of field camp itself and ful to receive it. It went right towards paying the necessary equipment for it, the University the tuition for field camp, and it has served as wanted its piece as well, and a large one at encouragement to keep working hard in my that, being that field camp is a summer course. classes. I was also able to enjoy Field Camp I had taken a loan out to cover everything, more because I wasn’t so worried about the including a trip to Alaska in July for another financial end of it. class, but overlooked the tuition for Field Camp. Whoops. Looking forward to the next I had a blast at field camp. The people I met couple months and how much I was not going were awesome, the geology was fantastic, to be working, I figured my situation was going and I’ll never forget the scenery-the west is to get interesting and stressful after I was done beautiful beyond words-and so BIG too. I loved every second of it, even the cold and snow in with my adventures and was back in Buffalo for Sarah Gay, dusted with snow at the Q-Creek Ranch the summer. Wyoming (although my spirit was significantly Campsite, 2008.

My Scholarship Stress Reliever Emily Harper, UB Geology Undergraduate Student

After having the opportunity to attend this year’s put everything I had learned in the past year to field camp with help from the Dorothea practical use. Of course the mapping workload Duttweiler scholarship, my craving to travel had had its stresses and strains, but the whole become a realistic endeavor this summer. experience was worth every minute. Making While finishing up the spring semester was friends with new people, better friends with enough of a challenge itself, the added acquaintances, and learning loads about geol- pressure of figuring out how to pay for field ogy and myself, all while tuning in to the nature camp, a trip to Alaska, and equipment for all of of the Wild West was one experience I’m not this, was quite overwhelming. It was a wonder- likely to forget anytime soon. I’m tremendously ful day when I found out I had received the thankful for having the scholarship make this a scholarship; I was honored and grateful. The reality for me, and thanks to the students, TA’s, timing couldn’t have been better. staff, professors, etc. who made this trip unfor- gettable and helped me to be a better geologist! Arriving at field camp I had no idea what to expect. What I found was a rewarding way to Emily Harper, Field Camp 2008, holds up an arch in Arches National Park.

21 ALUMNI NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

Alumni Notes Got Pictures? UB Geology alumni and friends, we need offices). Not only am I the staff geologist, but geologic evaluation of lease tracts to determine your help! We’re running out of pictures for an Environmental and Safety Specialist that the value, with a focus on hydrocarbon traps the “Remember When” section of The also does safety training. This is an interest- and the resources that could be contained EPOCH. If you have pictures from your ing facet of my job, because I am flown to within them. My personal life consists of doing time at UB Geology, send them to us and various locations in the United States to anything and everything to meet new people we may use them in a future edition of our teach wind power technicians about climbing and establish friendships. publication. You may submit them elec- safety including using the particular equipment tronically to [email protected], or in (shipped from Europe), the risks of suspension De, Narendra (Baba) (MS ’04): Married hard-copy to: UB Geology, 411 Cooke Hall, trauma, and working at heights. As geologist I Korrena McNalley (BA Geology 2000, MA Buffalo, NY 14260. Be sure to include a participate in environmental site assessments, Secondary Education 2002) on 7/06/07 in self-addressed, stamped envelope so we geoprobe investigations and classifying soils, the Adirondack Mountains. Korrena has just can return them to you!!! and well water investigations. I am actually in completed her 6th year of teaching high school the process of developing this aspect of our Earth Science and Historical Geology. Moved We’d like to thank everyone for their informa- office – geological investigations. Eventually to Colorado (near Denver) approximately two tion and encourage you to visit the depart- (hopefully next year), according to NYSCPG years ago. Have two dogs – Tungsten (5 years ment’s Web site at: www.geology.buffalo.edu, (New York State Council of Professional Geolo- old) and Mica (2 years old). July 2008 was our where an on-line Alumni Notes section can be gists), geologists will be licensed professionals first year wedding anniversary – we took a trip found. We encourage you to visit often and as engineers already are. I’m putting myself in to Iceland! communicate with your classmates, friends the position to take this professional exam in a Deming, (Nee: Lugert), Courtney (BA ’00): I and professors. few years (there is an experience requirement love working all day to convince kids that being of 5 years). I’m proud to be a UB graduate If you have any pictures you would like to in- a Geologist is really the coolest career choice who has a job related to my degree, and who clude in your alumni update or in the “Remem- ever! While working hard to finally finishing my is working locally and nationally to help Buffalo ber When” section, please e-mail them to us at thesis, I worked at the New York State Museum become a better, environmentally friendlier [email protected] along with an appropriate in the office of the State Oil and Gas Geologist. place – and as a woman who is striving to suc- caption. A very exciting place to be when our state’s ceed in a male-dominated field. natural gas exploration was hot. While there, Alumni are listed in alphabetical order, by the Bapst, David (BS ’07): I hiked the Grand I went back to school to get my certification to date of their highest UB Geology degree. Canyon for a second time! teach Earth Science. I’m in my second year at Schalmont Middle School where I teach Earth 2000s: Bufano, Elizabeth (BS ’05): Relocated back Science to a group of accelerated 8th grad- Abdi, Laura (BA ’08): I finished my course to WNY in summer 2007 after 2 years in Syra- ers. Yet another very exciting place to be!! In work last spring semester and ascertained a cuse for grad school & employment. October 2005 I married Justin Deming another position in my field. It was a long haul for me UB Geology Alumni. Our wedding info told Cary, Adam (BS ’03): As of June 2008 I have to graduate, and I’m excited that I did. I would of our beginnings as lab partners in Geology been employed with Minerals Management love to give back to the Geology Department 104. I wonder how many marriages start out Service for 14 months. We are the regula- if I can, as I tried to make the most of my time this way? Like me, Justin has made a slight tory agency within the federal government participating in research and the geology transition from geology. He now works for the that oversees oil and gas operations in the club. I graduated from UB with a Bachelors NY State Health Department in their Bureau Gulf of Mexico. We employ geologists that in Geological Sciences last May, and ascer- of Environmental Exposure. We still are in serve in the typical capacities of any private tained a position in a local environmental, contact with several Alumni, but I look forward oil company, such as exploration geologists health and safety consulting firm with an office to the Epoch each time to hear how everyone and development geologists. My job is to do a here in Buffalo, NY (we have several satellite is doing!

22 ALUMNI NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

Domagall, (nee: Semple), Abigail (PhD ’08, 6, 7, 8 including Earth Science. In the fall I will 1990s: MS ’03): I recently found out I had the tenure- be teaching both 6th grade general science as track position here at Black Hills State (BHSU) well as a new advanced 7th grade Life/Physi- Adams, Douglas (BA ’97): Well, just plug- (in fact on May 9th!) after having taught here cal Science course which will better prepare gin’ along here on Long Island (somewhat twice for a year as a stand-in instructor. I students to take and excel in Regents Earth predictable geology-wise) and very busy. also very recently got married (May 24th) to Science as 8th graders. Working on my CPESC certification right now William Domagall, who is from Rapid City, SD. and trying to find my way through this fabulous My family all came to SD from England for Pardy, (nee: Talley) Jennifer (MS ’05, BS economy. Two boys, 6 and 3 years old, make the wedding, which was fantastic. Hope all is ’03): After graduating in May 2005, my hus- it all worthwhile. I truly miss my UB days and wonderful at UB! band and I relocated to the Atlanta area. Since wouldn’t mind hearing from any of you. Hope then, I have been employed as a hydroge- everyone finds happiness and pauses to smell Ferris, Jeffrey (BA ’07): I have recently ologist at Golder Associates, a geotechnical the flowers and see the boudinage. completed my first year of graduate school engineering and environmental consulting firm, at UB’s Department of Learning and Instruc- working primarily on site characterization and Bates, Jeff (BA ’91): I was promoted to Profes- tion. I have recently accepted a position as groundwater remediation projects. We currently sor at Columbus State Community College in a Missionary in Japan, teaching English as a live in Stone Mountain, GA with our 2-year old June 2007, and graduated with a PhD in Geo- Second Language. I will be working through a labrador, Luke. logical Sciences from Ohio State University in church teaching English while sharing Jesus December 2007. I reside in Johnstown, Ohio Christ’s love with them. The commitment is for Pietraszek-Polovich, Jane (MA ’02, BA ’99): with my wife Suzie and our three children. two years and at the end of those two years I My husband Eric and I will be celebrating our Frederick, William (MA ’91): I recently passed plan to return to Buffalo to seek employment 6-year anniversary in September. Our daughter the AS BOG exams for a professional geologist as an Earth Science teacher while finishing my Evelyn will be three years old in July. We’re license in Pennsylvania. It was an interesting master’s degree in education at UB. still in WNY, with no plans to leave. I’ve been at CRA now for almost seven years, and have experience and made me study all those geo- Fredrick, Kyle (PhD ’08): After recently worked my way up to project coordinator on logic topics long forgotten. If anyone intends to completing my first academic year of teaching several local WNY environmental sites. All is take the tests, I recommend the “Reg Review” at California University of PA, I look forward well with the Polovich family and I hope all is study manuals available online. Have a safe to continuing my career here and growing the well for my classmates, too! summer field season. program from its humble roots. I am leading Kim, Jonathan (PhD ’96): I’m still working at the first of hopefully many summer field trips Scarpinato, Frank (BA ’07): I work for Erie the Vermont Geological Survey. I’ve been in this June, where along with 15 students we’ll County Department of Environment and Vermont since I left UB in 1996. I’m currently traverse the Colorado Plateau. Personally, my Planning doing indoor air quality. Presently working on projects involving bedrock geologic wife and I have enjoyed our move to Pitts- this includes Radon, CO, mold and household mapping, naturally-occurring radioactivity in burgh, PA and continue to be amazed as we hazardous waste. I also handle the CESQG ground water, nitrate contamination of bedrock watch our daughter Paige, now a year and half, program helping detoxify our school systems aquifers, and rock slide mitigation. I still ride grow ever more cute and curious. and handle small amounts of hazardous waste produced by local small businesses. my bike, hike, and ski a lot. Kowalski, Paul (BA ’03): I completed my Mendes, Michael (BA ’97): Got married Sep- Ed.M. through UB’s GSE in 2007 and continue Spitzer-List, Tara (MS ’04): I have a son who tember 8, 2007 and then traveled to a couple to teach Science at Clarence Middle School in is 20 months old, and am happily employed of Hawaiian Islands. We’re planning to travel to my hometown of Clarence, NY. Since 2004, I as an Earth Science Teacher in the Rochester Portugal and France this summer and will be have taught each science course in grades City School District. having our first child New Year’s Day 2009.

continued page 24

23 ALUMNI NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

continued from page 23

Mickler, Patrick (BA ’92) and Staci (nee: in Boise. Life is good and I am keeping busy and daughter Sarah (sophomore in college), Loewy) (BA ’92): We live in southern California hiking, biking, running, gardening, camping and we live in Syracuse. where we teach geology at California State learning about the geology and geomorphology University, Bakersfield. Patrick studies the geo- of Idaho. I miss my fellow UB grads so please Frank, Bob (BA ’89): I was recently in Buffalo chemistry of cave deposits for use as proxies send me an email ([email protected]) and (Xmas 2007) and got to drive by the campus/ for climate change and Staci studies continen- say hello! department. All I can say is WOW! Quite a tal tectonic history using radiogenic isotopes change from the old days at the Ridge Lea and geochronology. We completed our PhD’s 1980s: Campus, waiting on those cold nights for the at The University of Texas at Austin and then single bus to come by...that was never fun. Anzalone, (nee: Kaczanowski), Sandra (BA spent two years at the University of North Great to see and hear from (or at least read ’84): My degree in Geology from UB and my Carolina at Chapel Hill as postdocs before about) Dr. Mitchell after all these years. A love for the sciences has sparked the unex- moving to California. Along the way we were discussion we had over lunch on a field trip pected in my life and career. For 16 years married, dragging all our friends and family out in our Geology 101 class (circa 1986) is what I worked with students in high school as a into the mountains near Lake Placid, NY for got me hooked on Geology, so he’ll always teacher of sciences. Many of these students a week long celebration. Our latest and most be remembered by me for that. It was really had difficulty in school and with learning – but exciting news is the March 2008 birth of our nice to hear how the department has grown in all of them became enthusiastic about science. daughter, Sierra Jade Mickler. We very fondly the past 15 years or so. As for updates, I just In my family the same enthusiasm has oc- remember our days in Buffalo at the Ridge Lea finished my 11th year at CH2M HILL in Tempe, curred – one nephew with a degree in Marine Campus and would love to hear from any of Arizona as a senior hydrogeologist. In addition Biology and the other with a GeoEngineering our classmates. to my crazy work load, I was recently appoint- degree from CSM. He now works for Ivanhoe ed to the Arizona Department of Environmental Waldron, Keith (BA ’98): I graduated from the as an exploration geologist in Johannesburg. Quality’s Underground Storage Tank Technical University of Buffalo with a Bachelors Degree Appeals Panel by Arizona Governor Janet Bijak, Martin (BA ’80): I have been working at in Geology and a Master of Science Degree in Napolitano. This panel helps resolve technical Washington Mills for twelve years doing x-ray Social Sciences (Archaeology). I worked for appeals related to releases and remediation of diffraction. the US Forest Service in McCloud, California, regulated substances from underground stor- as an archeological technician (seasonal Economou, Harris (MA ’83, BA ’81): After age tanks. The appointment is for a minimum worker), then got a full-time position with the graduating from UB I moved to Colorado where of 2 years. US Forest Service in Challis, Idaho. I spent six I worked as a processing geophysicist. When Herrenkohl, Mark (BA ’85): Since receiving months there then got an opportunity to work the price of oil dropped (hard to believe now) I my MS in Oceanography at Old Dominion with the Bureau of Land Management as the lost my job and made a career change into in- University in 1988, I have been working in the Fire Program Archaeologist, doing archaeology surance. I work in State Farm’s Fire Claims De- environmental consulting field specializing in for the Bureaus’ Fire and Oil and Gas Pro- partment as a company consultant. I have been aquatic geochemistry and engineering geology. gram. This is my third year with the BLM and with State Farm for 21 years. I look forward to Earlier this year, I formed my own company I am enjoying the work. Keeps me out of the hearing about my fellow geology graduates! office. During the past few months I have been (again) working on a variety of environmental focused on creating a statistical program that Flick, Greg (BA ’80): After working nearly cleanup projects for municipal and industrial hopefully will allow for more accurate archaeo- twenty years in the consulting business as a clients. I have been married for nearly 21 years logical surveys at the landscape level. geologist and health and safety consultant, I with 2 children, the youngest is completing made my last career switch 4 years ago. I now her senior year of high school. I enjoy boating, Yager, Elowyn (BA ’98): After graduating from teach 9th graders at a local junior high and I hiking, and horseback riding; all available near UB, I moved to California, finished my Ph.D. love it. I write and sing songs for class (Conti- my home in beautiful Bellingham, Washington. (on sediment transport in mountain streams), nental Drift- “Breaking Up is Hard to Do”, Wind It would be great to hear from some of my old moved to Arizona for a postdoc and am now an erosion - “Dust in the Wind”), and am having classmates at UB Geology. assistant professor at the University of Idaho the best time of my life. With my wife Susan

24 ALUMNI NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

Schmidt, Michael (BA ’88): After almost 15 various Port Authority facilities in New York & in the stable isotope geochemistry lab of Doug years in environmental consulting, having New Jersey. Williams at the University of South Carolina, worked on job sites located throughout the which rounded out my training and gave me United States and the Caribbean, I joined AIG 1970s: the credentials I needed to pursue academic Consultants as part of the growing field of envi- positions in the Geosciences. Given my schizo- Barnes, John (MA ‘72): was recently appointed ronmental consulting for insurance companies. phrenic scientific path through academia, I Chief of the Pennsylvania Geological Survey’s In the six years since joining AIG Consultants, wasn’t surprised when in 1990, I was hired by Resource Analysis Section. John has had a the number of consultants working in our the Dept. of Geology, UC Davis, as a paleo- lengthy career at the Pennsylvania Survey, program has tripled. I currently manage a group biologist-paleoceanographer-stable isotope having fun working in the laboratory using of consultants providing technical guidance and geochemist. The primary focus of my research X-ray techniques and a recently acquired SEM claim oversight on environmental clams ranging over the past two decades included experi- on a wide variety of samples from all across in size from small gasoline station releases to mental research on living and fossil planktonic Pennsylvania and sometimes from far beyond. some of the largest Superfund sites. I live about foraminifera, the development and calibration of He also helps keep track of the state’s indus- an hour north of New York City with my wife, geochemical proxies and tracers for paleocean- trial minerals industry and enjoys writing both Barbara (a fellow UB grad) and our two girls. ographic and paleoenvironmental applications technical and educational publications. He has and paleoceanographic reconstructions of fond memories of his years at UB as providing Smith, Stuart (BA ’81): MS in Entrepreneurship Quaternary changes in ocean hydrography and excellent training for this career. in May 2008, current member of the Florida air: sea hydrological linkages. In 2006, I ac- Board of Professional Geologists since 2003 Bunting, Jr., Norman (MA ’76): Have not kept cepted a temporary assignment as a Program where he served as Vice-Chair in 2006, and up with field of geology much in past 30 years; Officer rotator in the Ocean Sciences Division/ Chair in 2007. however I hope to do so more in the future. Marine Geology & Geophysics Program at the National Science Foundation. In this capacity, Stewart, Scott (MA ’88): My son, Tristan just Hadley, (Nee: Coniglio), Susan (BA ’75): I have been in charge of funding decisions on turned 18, graduated from high school and Provide prior-art research and library support paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic proposals started his summer job in a state park. He’ll services to patent attorneys in the Silicon that are submitted to OCE. I look forward to start college in the fall. I’ve been with the state Valley area. returning to UC Davis this fall to get back into permitting public water systems since 1988. I’ve full time teaching and research. kept up with my martial arts since UB – karate, Reade, Larry (BA ’76): In addition to 30 years Aikido and Jujitsu. I have a part time practice as in tool & die work at Ford, raising 4 children, Tucci, Patrick (BA ’74): After 31 years with the a massage therapist and had a chance to and helping guide the Buffalo Bicycling Club, USGS, I retired from the federal government train in Thailand. Vermont is beautiful but I’ve been bicycle racing for 40 years and have in October 2007. Since then I’ve been busy lacks fossils! won 10 national masters’ titles. (Commuted travelling, getting things done around the house to work on the bike, too.) Geology at UB has and working with our mineral, fossil, and jewelry Talkiewicz, Joe (MA ’86): Married with 2 boys, made all our travels much more interesting. business (GEOdyssey). Retirement is highly Kieran and Daniel. Traveled internationally recommended, although I do miss some of the to Hong Kong, China, Europe, England and Rettke, (Nee Kaplowitz), Phillis (MA ’70): I social interaction with work. I do some work as Ireland. 13+ years at the Port Authority Envi- have a new job managing environmental proj- a volunteer with USGS. We took 2 major trips ronmental Engineering Design 13+ Division per- ects for the City of Phoenix (COP). since retiring: to Ethiopia where I led a small forming asbestos and lead abatement design, tour group for 2 weeks, and to Ireland where soil and groundwater investigations/remediation Spero, Howard (BA ’75, BA ’75 Biological our daughter was spending her junior year at design, soil disposal, underground storage tank Sciences): After completing my B.A. at SUNY the Univ. Limerick. Also enjoyed spending 2 removal, obtain various types of permits includ- Buffalo in 1975, I shifted into Oceanography weeks at the Tucson Gem and Mineral show ing landfill disruption, wetlands, Army Corp., and completed degrees in Biological Ocean- in February. water front development, water quality and soil ography (TAMU) and Biology (UCSB) before erosion control and sediment control. Prepare deciding to move back into Geology full time. continued page 26 contract documents and design drawings for In the late 1980’s I spent 3 years as a post-doc

25 ALUMNI NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

continued from page 25

1960s: Kaldor, Michael (MA ’69): Less than two who directs and participates in an investigation years to retirement!! After 33 years at Miami of an abandoned recycling and land fill facility Chalcraft, Richard (BA ’65): Retired after 23 Dade College I am more than ready to retire, in New York State. The facility is fictitious but years with Chevron and 11 years as a college especially since the entire K-University system the geology and scientific exploratory methods professor. Currently, I’m a Visiting Professor of in FL is about ready to collapse due to lack of used as well as the investigatory rationale are Geoscience at Colorado State University. funding. But enough of that. For those of you authentic. The author has a Homptod to pre- who might remember me but haven’t been in sout scientists as complete human beings in Davidson, John (BA ’65): The class of “1964” touch for the past few decades a little bit of contrast to the stereotyped nerds we are often was one of the best! history is needed. I have been in Miami for the misrepresented as. Fulton, William (BA ’62): I was a varsity past 36 years, 33 at MDC. Of those I spent 20 Pawlowski, Walter (BA ’68): After teaching for boys and girls basketball coach for over 24 years as the Dept Chair of Natural Sciences 30 years at North Tonawanda High School – years until I retired in 1997. I coached both in and Mathematics. When the faculty voted Earth Science, which I hated, chemistry, which Pennsylvania and New York and spent 33.5 in a Union and the administration made the I enjoyed, then for may last 14 years, Regents years in Public education as a teacher, guid- chair position an entirely administrative one, I Physics and AP Physics (calculus based ance counselor and coach. A few years ago I stepped down and returned to full-time faculty mechanics), which I truly loved – I retired in was inducted into the Pennsylvania coaches status and became active in the Union. I am July, 1998. My wife of 40 years, Mary Jane, hall of fame in Harrisburg, PA for outstanding now serving as executive vice president of and I have traveled extensively since our retire- coaching achievements. I coached six different United Faculty and am having a blast “dealing” ment (she also taught for 30 years), visiting high schools in NY and PA. Completing my 24 with the administration. We are presently in more than 30 countries. Each summer I teach year coaching career with a 495-210 coaching negotiations for a new contract so things might a graduate course at Buffalo State College, record and winning 73%. During my years in get interesting in the next few months. I have Physics 510, with the noble goal of helping the education from 1964-1997 most of this time I been married for 37 years to Kay and have many physics teachers in New York State to was somehow connected with basketball. After 2 children (Jonathan is in a PhD program in become better teachers of physics. retirement in 1997 I stayed involved in coach- Computer Graphics at Cornell and Lindsay is a first year medical student at Temple). Kay, ing junior high girls and elementary boys for six 1950s: years. Today I’m still involved in basketball as who will retire the same time I do, works as I do a lot of broadcasting of local teams. After a program specialist at a middle/senior high Gore, John (EDM ’64, BA ’55): I fondly some research I have discovered that from the school for emotionally disturbed children. Yes recalled comradeship between the faculty and time I started my involvement in basketball in her stories are a lot better than mine. Both of students. It was a one to one basis. We had high school, my 3 years at UB playing base- us are looking forward to being able to sleep great rapport with Dr. Pegrum and staff. I will ball/basketball, my 24 years of varsity coaching in every day. I would love to hear from anyone never forget the fun we had on outings and who remembers me and wants to contact me. and several years a junior high and elementary field trips and picnics. Feel free to contact me at my college E mail coach and now broadcasting I have spent address: [email protected] Tyburski, Dennis (formerly Tyler) (BA ’50): approximately 48 of my 68 years involved in Name changed from “Tyler” back to “Tyburski” basketball in some capacity. I received my Kollatz, Charles (EDM ’74, BA ’64): Retired family name. degree from UB in 1962 in geography/geol- form NYSDEC as a Citizen Participation Spe- ogy. I then achieved my master’s degree at cialist where he set up public events, appear- 1940s: St. Bonaventure University in guidance, at the ances and meetings. Currently volunteering at same time I received a certificate in the fields Beechwood Residence. Tesmer, Irving (MA ’48, BA ’46): In 2007, of elementary and secondary administration celebrated 50th anniversary of formation of directing curriculum also from St. Bonaventure. Muscalo, David (MA ’69, BA ’66): Currently earth science department at Buffalo State I truly loved my four years at UB and am very editing my first novel to be self-published College. It began with me as the sole faculty glad I chose geography/geology as my career through Lulu®. The novel entitled “Superfund member. Most of the Earth Science teachers in choice. I still have many great memories of Odyssey: A Soulful Scientific Saga,” should be Western New York have been graduates of this these years spent a the old university on available for purchase online by the end of Au- department. Main Street. gust 2008. The protagonist is a hydrogeologist 26 STUDENT NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

2008 Student Honors:

Duttweiler Field Camp Awards: National Science Foundation diversity project project team on a National Science Foundation requires many leadership traits, and Sara- project. She presented the results of her inde- Alumna Dorothea Duttweiler contributed jane’s professional attitude helped to carry her pendent research project that examined the funds to our department to support women (and the program) through many unexpected attributes of sediments which control organic studying in the field of geology; specifically to challenges. Always positive, Sarajane was in- contaminant mobility in groundwater at the help women attend summer field camp. The strumental in helping to motivate and guide her Northeastern Geological Society of America 2008 recipients of the $774 awards are Sarah peers in our seemingly endless outreach to the meeting in Buffalo this past March. She also Gay and Emily Harper. Buffalo Public Schools. Based on her research is a past recipient of the Dorothea Duttweiler (and teaching) interests in all things marine, Field camp award (2007). Jessica has been Pegrum Field Camp Award: this award is an excellent fit for Sarajane. I accepted with funding into the University of Due to increased donations to our depart- foresee only the best in her future endeavors.” Vermont Master’s of Science program where ment from alumni and a generous endowment Sarajane is pursuing her MA in Geography at she intends to pursue further study in account return, the department felt it was the University at Buffalo. Geochemistry. important to expand our support of students Graduate Pegrum Award: attending field camp to include men. This year’s recipient of this $774 award is James Thanks to a large donation of close to Noble. $140,000 from alumnus James W. Cadwell, the Pegrum Fund is now also able to give ad- Gilbert Jaffe Memorial Award: ditional awards to students. The graduate Pe- This award is intended for a student that grum Award is given to a graduate student that excels in the study of marine or environmental excels in teaching, research or both. The de- sciences. Sarajane Gomlak-Green is the partment was pleased to recognize Elizabeth recipient of the $750 award for 2008. Buffalo Thomas with a 2008 graduate Pegrum award Geosciences Program Coordinator, Philip for outstanding graduate student. In the words Figure 2: Jessica Sperling, 2008 recipient of the Un- of Jason Briner “Simply put, Elizabeth has ex- Stokes had this to say about Sarajane, dergraduate Pegrum Award with Dr. Charles Mitchell “A Dean’s List student, Sarajane graduates celled since she started as a student less than this spring with degrees in Geological Sci- Undergraduate Pegrum Award: two years ago, both in the classroom and with ences and Japanese. While tackling courses her thesis research. She has maintained a 4.0 The Pegrum Award has been given annually from two challenging majors (and even some GPA while accomplishing a significant amount since 1970 to an outstanding graduating senior from biology), Sarajane served as Outreach of research. Elizabeth has been involved in two in the Department of Geology. The 2008 re- Coordinator for the Buffalo Geosciences Pro- field seasons in the Canadian Arctic as part cipient of the $750 award is Jessica Sperling. gram at UB. Helping to run a multi-component of her research (not easy field work), and one year stayed after I returned from the field to In addition to outstanding scholarship, the lead several days of outreach activities in a re- Pegrum award is established to recognize mote Inuit village. She also took a leadership students who exhibit characteristics such as role in advising two undergraduate students integrity, enthusiasm and willingness to help (Noble and Ridgeway) in the field, in the lab, others and Jessica Sperling exemplifies these and at a conference in Colorado, where both characteristics. This past year she was the she and the two undergraduates presented president of the Undergraduate Geology Club their research. Her MS thesis consists of two and a member of the Tau Sigma Honor Society. manuscripts, one of which is already pub- She has worked in Dr. Richelle Allen-King’s lished and the second of which has just been hydrogeochemistry research lab over the last submitted for publication. Both papers are two years and has been an integral part of the Figure 1: Sarajane Gomlak-Green, 2008 recipient of the Jaffe Award with Dr. Charles Mitchell continued page 28 27 STUDENT NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38 continued from page 27 big advances in the field. They utilize climate Society of America that was ranked with an These scholarships are offered out of the Regi- proxies from lake sediments to reconstruct outstanding mention (top 20 of 474 proposals nald H. Pegrum fund. For this coming 2008- climate change in the past one to two thousand submitted that year).” 2009 academic year 5 Pegrum scholarships years. She has also presented this research at of $1,200 were awarded to Deanna Hamilton, a number of conferences locally, nationally and Pegrum Professional Development Awards: Trevelyn Lough, Jessica Ball, Shannon internationally. Elizabeth was granted an NSF George and Melissa Zelazny. Since 2001 the department has offered the graduate student fellowship (of which very few Reginald H. Pegrum Professional Development are granted nationally to geoscience students) James P. Owens Award: Award. This award provides financial support and also received a grant from the Geological to undergraduate and graduate students for the This award is given to an outstanding under- purposes of attending professional meetings, graduate or incoming graduate student who workshops and other programs that would has an interest in the fields related to surface aid in their professional development. For the and near-surface geology. The 08-09 recipient 07-08 academic year, this fund supported 19 of this $1,000 award is Karen Daigler. Karen students totaling over $8,000. is an incoming graduate student for the fall 2008 studying geochemistry under Dr. Tracy TA top-off scholarships: Bank.

In order to attract the best students to our Figure 3: Elizabeth Thomas, 2008 Recipient of the Graduate Pegrum Award geology graduate program we offer incentives to the top graduate applicants to our program.

Degrees Conferred September 2007 - June 2008

Geological Sciences

Bachelor of Arts Neil C. Terry Jun-08 Craig M. McClarren Feb-08 Melissa M. Zelazny Jun-08 William J. Stelmack Feb-08 Mary Rumpf Sept-07 Jesse R. Carlucci Jun-08 Laura A. Abdi Jun-08 Master of Arts Jason Szymanski Jun-08 Kimberly A. Garlock Jun-08 Sarajane B.I. Gomlak-Green Jun-08 Karen J. Makey Sept-07 Gerard P. McGroarty Jun-08 Stephanie R. Piil Sept-07 Doctorate Monica L. Ridgeway Jun-08 Jennifer R. Somerville Sept-07 Timothy J. Stringham Jun-08 Todd M. Joki Feb-08 Adam J. Stinton Feb-08 Andrew G. Smith Jun-08 Raymond C. Vaughan Feb-08 Bachelor of Science Kyle C. Fredrick Jun-08 Master of Science Brandon P. Chiasera Sept-07 Howard H. Melcher Sept-07 David R. Blood Sept-07 Evolution, Ecology & Behavior Jason P. Reynolds Sept-07 Shannon M. Burkett Sept-07 Sean T. McGrane Feb-08 Melissa A. Farley Sept-07 Master of Science Tessa L. Krueger Sept-07 John R. Stadler Feb-08 Katherine R. Bala Feb-08 Jacqueline M. Bellnier Jun-08 Charles R. Meyn Sept-07 Ryan B. Morley Jun-08 Joel G. Allen Feb-08 Bryan P. Pula Jun-08 Kristi L. Belscher Feb-08 Congratulations to all our new Alumni! Jessica F. Sperling Jun-08 Brett Burkett Feb-08 Justin C. Starr Jun-08 Tammy L. Dunlavey Feb-08

28 STUDENT NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

Researching the Dynamics of Coral Algal-Symbioses Deanna Hamilton, EEB MS Student

My thesis research is on the dynamics of coral through the stages of thermal stress. To answer algal-symbioses during and following a large these questions I am analyzing algal DNA from scale bleaching event. Corals form a symbiosis the coral samples using a series of molecular with single-celled dinoflagellates which con- techniques. tribute to the coral’s nutrition and calcification. Coral bleaching occurs when the symbiotic Using these techniques we are able to track algae are lost due to stress. The most common the specific types of symbiotic algae that reside stressors that cause bleaching are increased within the corals. Because it has been sug- temperature and UV irradiation related to global gested some types of algae are more resistant warming. The project I am working on follows to thermal stress than others, these types of colonies of seven coral species in Bocas del studies are important. If some types of algae Toro, Panama, directly after the summer 2005 within any of the coral species followed in this mass bleaching event. Thus far the same study are more frequent during thermal stress, colonies have been sampled five times. I will this might mean that there is adaptive poten- be adding a new data point to the set with a tial of the symbiotic system. Later on in my sampling trip to Panama in early September. research we aim to follow the specific abun- I will use these samples to analyze a series of dances of these types of algae too, which will questions that together will hopefully provide in- give great new insight into these ecologically sight to how the coral-algal symbiosis changes important associations.

Connectivity of Coral Hosts and their Algal Endosymbionts among Reefs in the Caribbean Jillian Mansfield, EEB Ph.D. Student

My graduate thesis work focuses on coral reefs bleaching events, which is when the zooxan- and the unicellular dinoflagellate algae thellae are expelled from their coral host, will (zooxanthellae) in the genus Symbiodinium continue to happen, and these vital ecosystems that form an endosymbiosis with reef corals may be lost. This is why it’s important to study and other invertebrates. Corals depend on their the connectivity between corals and their en- photosynthetic zooxanthellae inhabitants for dosymbiont populations to answer the question most of their nutrients, and so these zooxan- will corals and their endosymbionts be able to thellae are key to the coral’s survival. Today’s repopulate areas devastated by coral bleaching coral reefs are in danger due to ever increasing events to ensure the survival of these popula- sea surface temperatures (SST) caused by tions? To answer this question, I’m using highly global warming, and other anthropogenic variable (on an individual level) DNA markers Collecting coral samples in the Florida Keys in the affects. If global warming continues, mass coral (microsatellites) to investigate population Summer of 2007. 29 STUDENT NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 38

continued from page 29

genetics and to study the connectivity or gene Panama, and also over small spatial scales flow between populations over small (meters) (meters) and different depths within one site and large (thousands of kilometers) spatial (the Florida Keys). I’m interested in the spatial scales. Specifically, I am studying the scales at which these zooxanthellae popula- endosymbiont populations in the bipinnate sea tions become differentiated from one another plume, a soft coral species (Pseudopterogor- and the implications this has for the survival gia bipinnata) common in the Caribbean, I’m of this coral species as global warming and, studying the connectivity of symbiont popula- therefore, coral bleaching threaten these tions along large spatial scales (kilometers) reef ecosystems. from the Florida Keys and the Bahamas, to

Pseudopterogorgia bipinnata, the soft coral species I study.

30

Remember When