Postdoctoral Scholars
Sean Polun, Ph.D.
My research examines the role of faulting at various spatial and temporal scales and how it pertains to earthquake hazards and regional tectonics. This includes studies on fault slip rates, spatial distribution and interactions of faults, and induced slip likelihood from fluid (wastewater and CO2) injection. I make use of high resolution satellite imagery, high resolution topographic models from UAVs, seismic reflection data, and InSAR.
Recent presentations and publications:
Polun, S.G., Bidgoli, T.S., and Gomez, F. (2019). Assessing alluvial fan surface ages along inaccessible portions of the eastern Garlock fault, southeastern California, with aerial LiDAR, SAR, backscatter and multispectral data: Implications for slip rate studies: GSA Abstracts with Program, 51, 5, doi: 10.1130/abs/2019AM-337248.
Polun, S. G., Gomez, F., & Tesfaye, S. (2018). Scaling properties of normal faults in the central Afar, Ethiopia and Djibouti: Implications for strain partitioning during the final stages of continental breakup. Journal of Structural Geology, 115, 178-189: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2018.07.018.
My research examines the role of faulting at various spatial and temporal scales and how it pertains to earthquake hazards and regional tectonics. This includes studies on fault slip rates, spatial distribution and interactions of faults, and induced slip likelihood from fluid (wastewater and CO2) injection. I make use of high resolution satellite imagery, high resolution topographic models from UAVs, seismic reflection data, and InSAR.
Recent presentations and publications:
Polun, S.G., Bidgoli, T.S., and Gomez, F. (2019). Assessing alluvial fan surface ages along inaccessible portions of the eastern Garlock fault, southeastern California, with aerial LiDAR, SAR, backscatter and multispectral data: Implications for slip rate studies: GSA Abstracts with Program, 51, 5, doi: 10.1130/abs/2019AM-337248.
Polun, S. G., Gomez, F., & Tesfaye, S. (2018). Scaling properties of normal faults in the central Afar, Ethiopia and Djibouti: Implications for strain partitioning during the final stages of continental breakup. Journal of Structural Geology, 115, 178-189: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2018.07.018.
Graduate and Undergraduate Students
Jillian Bottini, B.S. (expected May 2024)
Coming soon!
Coming soon!
Syunsuke “Sunny” Hasuka, B.S. (expected May 2024)
Coming soon!
Coming soon!
Jasmyn Garland, B.S. (expected May 2024)
Coming soon!
Coming soon!
Ashley Stroup, B.S. (expected May 2023)
I was born and raised in the High Desert of California. I developed a love of science and nature at a young age. I spent most of my childhood camping in and exploring places like Death Valley, Yosemite, and Zion. Geology was an easy choice for my career path. I currently work for CalPortland and help oversee multiple aggregate mining operations. My senior honors thesis focuses on interactions between the Southern Death Valley and Garlock faults through fold and fracture analysis. When I'm not at school or work, I enjoy camping, hiking, and taking care of my snakes and tarantulas.
I was born and raised in the High Desert of California. I developed a love of science and nature at a young age. I spent most of my childhood camping in and exploring places like Death Valley, Yosemite, and Zion. Geology was an easy choice for my career path. I currently work for CalPortland and help oversee multiple aggregate mining operations. My senior honors thesis focuses on interactions between the Southern Death Valley and Garlock faults through fold and fracture analysis. When I'm not at school or work, I enjoy camping, hiking, and taking care of my snakes and tarantulas.
Taylor Murphy, M.S. (expected May 2023)
I’m a born-and raised Missourian from St. Louis. For my undergraduate career I went up north to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where I graduated with my B.S. in Geoscience and minors in Physics and Environmental Science. While I was there, I completed a senior thesis with an emphasis in structural geology. My research entailed examining rock fracture in the Sierra Nevada batholith to constrain the conditions of unexpected rock fractures. Now, at Mizzou I am pursuing my masters degree, where my research will focus on creating a model to develop and age-surface property model that can be used to determine slip rates on faults. Outside of academics, I love spending time with my husky, Lucille- we love running, hiking, and being outside. I’m a St. Louis sports fan at heart, but I have a special love for the Blues (I’m a die-hard fan!).
I’m a born-and raised Missourian from St. Louis. For my undergraduate career I went up north to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where I graduated with my B.S. in Geoscience and minors in Physics and Environmental Science. While I was there, I completed a senior thesis with an emphasis in structural geology. My research entailed examining rock fracture in the Sierra Nevada batholith to constrain the conditions of unexpected rock fractures. Now, at Mizzou I am pursuing my masters degree, where my research will focus on creating a model to develop and age-surface property model that can be used to determine slip rates on faults. Outside of academics, I love spending time with my husky, Lucille- we love running, hiking, and being outside. I’m a St. Louis sports fan at heart, but I have a special love for the Blues (I’m a die-hard fan!).
Kimberly Moore, Ph.D. (expected May 2023)
I developed my love for the natural world while spending my youth immersed in a variety of landscapes (Australia, Arizona, and Texas). My fondness for geology, I must admit, came much later while taking my first geology class. This desire to know more strengthened after completing my B.S. in Geology at Sam Houston State University in 2017. I moved to Columbia, Missouri, directly after to begin work on my master’s thesis research and the University of Missouri. My work involved studying neotectonic deformation of an active thrust fault system to determine recent uplift rates of the Avawatz Mountains in California. I successfully defended my thesis and graduated with my M.S. in Geology in the summer of 2019. I am currently working toward my doctoral degree at the University of Missouri, where my work will focus on tectonics and thermochronology. In my spare time, I enjoy socializing with family and friends, crafting, tabletop gaming, and biking.
I developed my love for the natural world while spending my youth immersed in a variety of landscapes (Australia, Arizona, and Texas). My fondness for geology, I must admit, came much later while taking my first geology class. This desire to know more strengthened after completing my B.S. in Geology at Sam Houston State University in 2017. I moved to Columbia, Missouri, directly after to begin work on my master’s thesis research and the University of Missouri. My work involved studying neotectonic deformation of an active thrust fault system to determine recent uplift rates of the Avawatz Mountains in California. I successfully defended my thesis and graduated with my M.S. in Geology in the summer of 2019. I am currently working toward my doctoral degree at the University of Missouri, where my work will focus on tectonics and thermochronology. In my spare time, I enjoy socializing with family and friends, crafting, tabletop gaming, and biking.
Past Students and Postdoctoral Scholars
Nathan Reed, M.S. (graduated August 2022)
I am from Las Vegas, Nevada. I received a B.S. in geology from UNLV in 2019. My interest in geology really took off after my first trip to the Grand Canyon. I have come to Mizzou where I am excited to continue my education in graduate school. I am interested in the spatial distribution of rocks and the tectonic processes that got them there. Show me the faults and folds! My research will focus on tectonics and thermochronology in the Basin and Range. When I’m not busy with school, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, sports, biking, and really anything that has to do with the great outdoors.
I am from Las Vegas, Nevada. I received a B.S. in geology from UNLV in 2019. My interest in geology really took off after my first trip to the Grand Canyon. I have come to Mizzou where I am excited to continue my education in graduate school. I am interested in the spatial distribution of rocks and the tectonic processes that got them there. Show me the faults and folds! My research will focus on tectonics and thermochronology in the Basin and Range. When I’m not busy with school, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, sports, biking, and really anything that has to do with the great outdoors.
Katherine Ludwig, M.S. (graduated August 2022)
I grew up in Belvidere, Illinois, and received my B.A. in geology from Augustana College in 2019. I have always been interested in the sciences, and my love for geology grew through my experiences in middle and high school organizations like Science Olympiad and Envirothon. I completed my graduate thesis at Augustana College on the geochemistry of the Chinchín Formation, a volcanic formation in southern Ecuador. Currently, I am working with Drs. Bidgoli and Gomez on my M.S. thesis research. We plan to use geochronology to better understand the Avawatz Mountains in southern California and their relationship with the Garlock Fault and the Southern Death Valley Fault Zone. In my free time, I like to draw, read, add to my mineral collection, and play with my dog.
I grew up in Belvidere, Illinois, and received my B.A. in geology from Augustana College in 2019. I have always been interested in the sciences, and my love for geology grew through my experiences in middle and high school organizations like Science Olympiad and Envirothon. I completed my graduate thesis at Augustana College on the geochemistry of the Chinchín Formation, a volcanic formation in southern Ecuador. Currently, I am working with Drs. Bidgoli and Gomez on my M.S. thesis research. We plan to use geochronology to better understand the Avawatz Mountains in southern California and their relationship with the Garlock Fault and the Southern Death Valley Fault Zone. In my free time, I like to draw, read, add to my mineral collection, and play with my dog.
- Noah Cadwell, B.S. (University of Missouri, March 2020-May 2022 ) - Completing degree at Univ. of Missouri
- Qian Zhao, Ph.D. Visiting Scholar (Univ. of Missouri, January 2020-December May 2022) - Postdoctoral scholar at CUG
- Kenny Edge, M.S. (Univ. of Missouri, May 2022)
- Daniel Shi, B.S. (Univ. of Missouri, May 2021) - Ph.D. student at Baylor University
- Begum Kurtoglu, M.S. (Univ. of Missouri; July 2020) – Geoscientist with Golder Associates, Inc.
- Wei Wang, Post-doctoral Researcher (Univ. of Missouri; December 2018-July 2019) – Faculty at CUG
- Esmail Ansari, Post-doctoral Researcher (Univ. of Kansas; August 2017-June 2019) – Consultant
- Jeffrey Jennings, M.S. (Univ. of Kansas; did not complete) - Landscaper
- Andrew Hollenbach, M.S. (Univ. of Kansas; January 2017-May 2019) – Ph.D. at University of Kansas
- Kathleen Graham, M.S. (Univ. of Kansas; September 2016-February 2019) – Geoscientist with Chesapeake
- Wei Wang, Ph.D. Visiting Scholar (Univ. of Kansas; September 2015-October 2017) – Faculty at CUG
- Drew R. Schwab, M.S. (Univ. of Kansas; September 2014-December 2016) – Geoscientist with Chevron
- James P. Tyrrell, M.S. (Univ. of Kansas; September 2014-December 2016) – Geoscientist with Concho
- Jeffrey Jennings, Kansas Geological Survey Intern (September 2016-December 2017)-Landscaper
- Kesley Lamer, Kansas Geological Survey Intern (May 2017-August 2017)
- Christa M. Jackson, Kansas Geological Survey Intern (May 2015-June 2016)