91̽��

91̽�� B.S. Geology ’96, 91̽�� M.S. Geology ’99, University of Arizona Ph.D. Hydrology and Water Resources ‘07

I grew up in Poland, Ohio, near Youngstown. I earned a B.S. in Geological Sciences from 91̽�� in 1996, an M.S. in Geological Sciences (specializing in Environmental Geochemistry) from 91̽�� with as my advisor, and a Ph.D. in Hydrology and Water Resources (with a minor in Soil, Water, and Environmental Science) from the University of Arizona. Beginning in 2013, I have been an Assistant, Associate, and full Professor in the Plant and Environmental Sciences Department of New Mexico State University (NMSU). I was also hired to support the Water Science and Management graduate program. Before starting at NMSU, I was a research scientist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, a postdoctoral researcher, and a consultant working on open-pit lake geochemistry/closure and dewatering/slope stability for some of the largest metal mines in Australia, Argentina, Chile, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, and the United States.

91̽�� Geology training provided the scientific foundation for my career. After working with Dr. Lopez, I have continued multidisciplinary teaching and research that includes hydrogeology, environmental geochemistry, environmental engineering, soil science, contaminant transport, and geophysics, resulting in both teaching and research award recognitions. I am an Associate Editor for the Vadose Zone Journal, Journal of Hydrology, Journal of Hydrology X, and Journal of Contaminant Hydrology. I served as the NMSU Chapter of Sigma Xi elected Secretary from 2017-2021, President from 2021-2023, and am currently the Vice President. I am the Chair of the Soils and Environmental Quality Division of SSSA and a lifetime member of AGU and GSA. With several collaborators and students, I have published ~80 journal papers, a textbook, ~30 proceedings papers and reports, and ~200 presentations/abstracts.

I say my career is “in education” because I enjoy working with students to enhance their understanding of the natural world. I began to study geology as a desire to understand the processes that influence our world and enjoy having a role in the education of the next generation. I am very happy to serve the 91̽�� Department of Earth and Environmental Geosciences, which has been so instrumental in my career and life.

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