THE EPOCHWinter/ Spring 2006 | No. 34 Message from the Chair canic eruptions, landslides, terrorist attacks, and so on, as well as Charles E. Mitchell, Professor immediate to long-term responses to such events. INS uses com- ponents whose dimensions are on the nanoscale (in the range of a This spring we welcome our newest billionth of a meter), a scale at which materials show quantum faculty members: Dr. Eliza Calder effects that result in novel properties, allowing for the development and Dr. Joaquín Cortés. Dr. Calder of incredibly beneficial new functions and products. INS and Dr. Cortés come to us from the researchers will pursue, among other things, the social and envi- volcano dynamics group at the Open ronmental impacts of research involved in “miniaturization,” includ- University in London, England. We ing natural nanostructures in the environment and the impact of introduce them to you more fully in engineered bioparticles and nanostructures in the environment. the pages that follow. Here I wish to UB Administration has expressed strong support for our plans to say how very pleased we are to have two such talented and vigor- contribute to both the Extreme Events and the Integrated ous faculty join our Geohazards Signature Program. This semes- Nanostructured Systems strategic strengths, and we are very excit- ter Dr. Sheridan will complete his last semester as a regular facul- ed about the developments to come. You can read more about ty member at UB. However, from what I can tell, Mike shows no UB’s new development efforts at http://www.buffalo.edu/ub2020/ sign of slowing down in his research. Indeed, the opposite seems to be the case! Stay tuned for yet more amazing work from this Many of you certainly will have encountered the recent resurgence fantastic team of UB volcanologists. of Creationist activity in the guise of Intelligent Design (ID). The decision in the Dover, PA federal court case may have taken the As I write to you, we are searching for additional faculty members steam out of this juggernaut, but the pause will be temporary only. in hydrogeophysics, remote sensing, and in the new area of nano- You will not be surprised that, as a paleobiologist whose principle geochemistry. This last is an emerging field that is concerned with research interest is evolutionary dynamics, I don’t have much direct measurements of the bacterial geochemical processes, at respect for the so-called scientific claims of ID proponents. There the mineral-water interface, including microbially mediated is no scientific controversy about whether humans and great apes processes, mediation of geochemical interactions between ground have a recent common ancestor or whether a hypothetical design- water and minerals and organic substances in the subsurface. In er is needed to explain complex adaptations. But the ID move- our case, we are especially excited about the prospect of adding ment does raise some very important philosophical questions for someone who will add to our program in environmental geology our pluralistic society; questions that are especially acute for edu- and to its focus on contaminant hydrogeology. Hydrogeophysics, cational institutions and for us as scientists. It’s really these ques- in which near-surface geophysical techniques are applied to tions that fuel the continuing discussion and hesitancy that many hydrogeological questions, is also an area of work that is key to people feel about evolution: What does an acceptance of human our program goals. Remote sensing similarly provides critical data evolution imply about purpose and meaning in life? What are the for applications in climate change, integrated tectonics and basin “proper” roles of empiricism and faith in an enlightened life? analysis, as well as volcanology and environmental geology. I am Naturally (since evolution is all about variation, after all), the looking forward to announcing hires in one or more (all!!) of these answers that suit our individual needs differ considerably among areas in the next EPOCH. us. How, then, do we live with these differences? This past September, in our Pegrum Lecture series, I summarized the ID In November, for the first time in living memory, we met as a faculty arguments and spoke about how we might seek to resolve the dis- with the UB President and Provost in our very own seminar room agreements. If you would like to watch a video recording of the lec- (it’s still glowing!). President John Simpson and Provost Satish ture, “Intelligent Design: Scientific Creationism’s Next Generation - Tripathi, together with Associate Dean Bruce Pitman, attended a Faster, Smarter, & Still Wrong,” you can find it on our web page at department faculty meeting at which we presented ourselves to the http://www.geology.buffalo.edu/announcements/pegrumlectures.sht new administration. In addition to describing our department and ml. Click on the link “watch” at the end of the lecture title. summarizing recent accomplishments, we had the pleasure of pre- senting our vision of the future for UB Geology. As it happens, UB The response to the new and reinvigorated EPOCH has been very has chosen to pursue a course precisely like that Geology chose gratifying for us all. We have heard many kind words for which we nearly 15 years ago (under the leadership of Mike Sheridan) to are grateful, and we are especially grateful for your generous identify a set of strategic strengths in which we could excel and donations. This year has seen a sharp rise in giving to UB Geology establish a unique program of national stature. Among the ten or and our programs and students benefit greatly from your support. so strategic strengths that UB will pursue within the UB2020 Ms. Shannon Bardo-Burkett (page 19) describes in this EPOCH growth plan, two different strengths align closely with our research issue what your support has meant to her as a UB student. Again, foci in Geology: (1) Extreme Events: Mitigation and Response thank you! We hope that you continue to enjoy reading about the (EE:MR), and (2) Integrated Nanostructured Systems (INS). EE:MR Department and that you contact us with your news and visit when concerns the mitigation of hazards posed by earthquakes, vol- you can. DepartmentMeet the New Faculty..............................................................................................p. News 1 M.F. Sheridan Retiring, May 2006...........................................................................p. 2 Pardee Symposium.................................................................................................p.16 Fall 2006 NYSGA and Eastern Section AAPG Meeting..................................p.16 ResearchFaculty Updates.......................................................................................................p. News 4 Alumni Spotlight: NewsClimate Change Research........................................................p. 11 Alumni Notes..........................................................................................................p. 17 Alumni and Friends, How Giving Benefits Students...........................................p. 19 2005 Donations.......................................................................................................p. 20 Student News Student Research...................................................................................................p. 21 Student Clubs & Events.........................................................................................p. 22 Remember When?..................................................................................................p. 24 The EPOCH is published for the students, alumni and friends of University at Buffalo Dr. Charles E. Mitchell, Chairman The State University of New York Alison Lagowski & Heather Kornacki, Co-Editors, The EPOCH The Department of Geology Special thanks to Renee Ruffino, Creative Design Director, 876 Natural Sciences Complex College of Arts and Sciences and student intern, Keith Dubuque Buffalo, NY 14260 for the design and layout of The EPOCH. We can be contacted by: Phone: (716) 645-6800 ext. 6100 Fax: (716) 645-3999 Please visit us online at: E-mail: [email protected] www.geology.buffalo.edu DEPARTMENT NEWS | THE EPOCH | No. 34 Welcome New Faculty! is the newest faculty member with the Department of Geology. Dr. Eliza Calder Beginning her term at the University this spring (2006) as Assistant Professor of Geology, Dr. Calder brings a continuum of expertise in the areas of Physical Volcanology and Hazards Research. Dr. Calder received her BSc in Geology from the University of Bristol, UK (1993), and her Ph.D. from the University of Bristol, UK (1999). Positions held prior to her appointment with the University at Buffalo include a Royal Society funded Research Fellowship at the Open University, UK (2002-2005) and a Visiting Research Fellowship at the Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawaii. With recent publications in Geophysical Research Letters and the Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, Dr. Calder’s research interests Dr. Eliza Shona Calder, Assistant Professor include understanding the transport mechanisms of geophysical mass flows, especially pyroclastic density currents, as well as the monitoring of active volcanic processes. Much of her work has been based on studies made during the ongoing eruption of Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat. She has also worked on persistently active volcanic systems characterized by strombolian and lava lake activity,