Postdoctoral Scholars
Esmail Ansari, Ph.D.
I completed my B.S. in 2009 in petroleum engineering and M.S. in 2011 in reservoir engineering at Sharif University of Technology. I conducted my Ph.D. research at the Craft and Hawkins Department of Petroleum Engineering, Louisiana State University between 2012 and 2016 with focus on geothermal reservoirs. My doctoral research focused on translating numerical results into simple statistical models. During my previous postdoc at Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Department, University of Kansas, I used data science methods in Python to analyze production data from unconventional reservoirs as well as history matching Hugoton gas field. My current postdoc research at Kansas Geological Survey is focused on induced seismicity in the US mid-continent and the effect of pressure diffusion in triggering seismicity. I like data science and coding in Python and R.
I completed my B.S. in 2009 in petroleum engineering and M.S. in 2011 in reservoir engineering at Sharif University of Technology. I conducted my Ph.D. research at the Craft and Hawkins Department of Petroleum Engineering, Louisiana State University between 2012 and 2016 with focus on geothermal reservoirs. My doctoral research focused on translating numerical results into simple statistical models. During my previous postdoc at Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Department, University of Kansas, I used data science methods in Python to analyze production data from unconventional reservoirs as well as history matching Hugoton gas field. My current postdoc research at Kansas Geological Survey is focused on induced seismicity in the US mid-continent and the effect of pressure diffusion in triggering seismicity. I like data science and coding in Python and R.
Graduate Students
Wei Wang, Ph.D. (expected May 2018)
I come from Wuhan, China, where I received my B.S. in Exploration and Engineering of Mineral Resources and M.S. in Mineral Resource Prospecting and Exploration at China University of Geosciences. My researches focus on provenance analysis, through detrital U-Pb geochronology, and diagenesis of deep-buried reservoirs in offshore basins in China. Since October 2015, I have been studying at Kansas Geological Survey as a visiting student, conducting research on the provenance of late Mississippian siliciclastic strata in and around the Anadarko and Arkoma basins via detrital zircon U-Pb-He double dating . I am enjoying my time in Lawrence, and in my free time, I like cooking, hiking and making friends.
I come from Wuhan, China, where I received my B.S. in Exploration and Engineering of Mineral Resources and M.S. in Mineral Resource Prospecting and Exploration at China University of Geosciences. My researches focus on provenance analysis, through detrital U-Pb geochronology, and diagenesis of deep-buried reservoirs in offshore basins in China. Since October 2015, I have been studying at Kansas Geological Survey as a visiting student, conducting research on the provenance of late Mississippian siliciclastic strata in and around the Anadarko and Arkoma basins via detrital zircon U-Pb-He double dating . I am enjoying my time in Lawrence, and in my free time, I like cooking, hiking and making friends.
Deserae Jennings, Ph.D. (expected May 2019)
I am originally from Ames, IA, where I pursued my B.S. in Geology at Iowa State University. As an undergrad, I worked as a research assistant for the US Department of Energy, Ames Lab doing materials engineering on rare earth metals and alloys. In 2013, I obtained my M.S. at Iowa State University, focusing on carbonate geochemistry, specifically microfossil geochemistry and applications to global sea level changes. I started my Ph.D. at the University of Kansas in 2015, and currently work in the Energy Research section at the Kansas Geological Survey. My research focuses on isotope kinetics, mobility, and loss in conodonts, in attempt to utilize them as a thermochronometer. I am applying these techniques to the sites in Kansas, including the Hugoton Gas Field in the southwestern part of the state. In my free time, I serve as the president of the Association of Women Geoscientists, Osage Chapter. I also enjoy spending time with family, running, art, building furniture, and aquaculture.
I am originally from Ames, IA, where I pursued my B.S. in Geology at Iowa State University. As an undergrad, I worked as a research assistant for the US Department of Energy, Ames Lab doing materials engineering on rare earth metals and alloys. In 2013, I obtained my M.S. at Iowa State University, focusing on carbonate geochemistry, specifically microfossil geochemistry and applications to global sea level changes. I started my Ph.D. at the University of Kansas in 2015, and currently work in the Energy Research section at the Kansas Geological Survey. My research focuses on isotope kinetics, mobility, and loss in conodonts, in attempt to utilize them as a thermochronometer. I am applying these techniques to the sites in Kansas, including the Hugoton Gas Field in the southwestern part of the state. In my free time, I serve as the president of the Association of Women Geoscientists, Osage Chapter. I also enjoy spending time with family, running, art, building furniture, and aquaculture.
Kathleen (Katie) Graham, M.S. (expected May 2018)
Born and raised in Kansas, I explored many tracks, including automotive technology school and enlisting in the U.S. Army, before attending the University of Kansas, where I completed my B.S. in Geology. My Master’s M.S. thesis project is focused on determining the provenance and lag time of Eocene Great Valley forearc basin deposits using detrital U-Pb-He double dating in order to understanding dynamics of exhumation of the Sierra Nevada and western Great Basin. My interests include sports of all types (particularly Jayhawk basketball), cooking, and spending time with family, friends, and my two dogs.
Born and raised in Kansas, I explored many tracks, including automotive technology school and enlisting in the U.S. Army, before attending the University of Kansas, where I completed my B.S. in Geology. My Master’s M.S. thesis project is focused on determining the provenance and lag time of Eocene Great Valley forearc basin deposits using detrital U-Pb-He double dating in order to understanding dynamics of exhumation of the Sierra Nevada and western Great Basin. My interests include sports of all types (particularly Jayhawk basketball), cooking, and spending time with family, friends, and my two dogs.
Jeffrey C. Jennings, M.S. (expected December 2018)
I was born and raised in St. Charles, Illinois, where I received my formative education. I received by B.S. in Geology from Iowa State University. After working with a vaccine company, I moved to Lawrence with my wife who is also a graduate student in Geology. Shortly after moving here, I started working at the Kansas Geological Survey. I’m interested in structural geology and geomorphology; my M.S. project entails using computer modeling and surface analysis to discover and map subsurface faults/lineaments. I will also be using borehole data to understand present-day stresses. With this knowledge we can identify at-risk areas for injection-induced earthquakes. I enjoy spending time with my wife and son, fishing, traveling, and playing soccer.
I was born and raised in St. Charles, Illinois, where I received my formative education. I received by B.S. in Geology from Iowa State University. After working with a vaccine company, I moved to Lawrence with my wife who is also a graduate student in Geology. Shortly after moving here, I started working at the Kansas Geological Survey. I’m interested in structural geology and geomorphology; my M.S. project entails using computer modeling and surface analysis to discover and map subsurface faults/lineaments. I will also be using borehole data to understand present-day stresses. With this knowledge we can identify at-risk areas for injection-induced earthquakes. I enjoy spending time with my wife and son, fishing, traveling, and playing soccer.
Andrew Hollenbach, M.S. (expected December 2018)
After graduating from KU in 2008, I went on to become a successful Professional Geologist with experience working on environmental, geotechnical, and oil-field related projects. I am working on a M.S. and enjoy researching, characterizing, and modeling Arbuckle Group reservoirs to help understand storage capacity and propensity for induced earthquakes in Kansas and Oklahoma. Please reach out!
After graduating from KU in 2008, I went on to become a successful Professional Geologist with experience working on environmental, geotechnical, and oil-field related projects. I am working on a M.S. and enjoy researching, characterizing, and modeling Arbuckle Group reservoirs to help understand storage capacity and propensity for induced earthquakes in Kansas and Oklahoma. Please reach out!
Past Students
James P. Tyrrell, M.S. (completed December 2016; Now at Concho Resources)
Born and raised in Connecticut, I attended Washington & Lee University and received a B.S. in Business Administration and Geology before moving to Kansas to begin graduate study in structural geology. My M.S. project is entitled “Conodont (U-Th)/He thermochronology of the Mormon Mountains, Tule Spring Hills, and Beaver Dam Mountains, southeastern Nevada and southwestern Utah.” In my free time I like hanging out with friends and cheering on the Jayhawks. Rock Chalk!
Born and raised in Connecticut, I attended Washington & Lee University and received a B.S. in Business Administration and Geology before moving to Kansas to begin graduate study in structural geology. My M.S. project is entitled “Conodont (U-Th)/He thermochronology of the Mormon Mountains, Tule Spring Hills, and Beaver Dam Mountains, southeastern Nevada and southwestern Utah.” In my free time I like hanging out with friends and cheering on the Jayhawks. Rock Chalk!
Drew Schwab, M.S. (completed December 2016; Now at Chevron)
I am originally from Omaha, Nebraska, where I received my B.S. in Geology at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. I'll be doing my Master's research at KU by evaluating the potential for injection-induced deformation through subsurface mapping, in situ stress field analysis, and analysis of cGPS and InSAR data at Wellington and Anson Bates fields, Sumner County, KS.
I am originally from Omaha, Nebraska, where I received my B.S. in Geology at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. I'll be doing my Master's research at KU by evaluating the potential for injection-induced deformation through subsurface mapping, in situ stress field analysis, and analysis of cGPS and InSAR data at Wellington and Anson Bates fields, Sumner County, KS.
Christa M. Jackson, Energy Research Intern (May 2015-June 2016)
I grew up in California, and received a BS in Geology from Humboldt State University in 2011. Prior to attending graduate school at the University of Kansas, I spent nearly a year at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. conducting research on trace element partitioning in the upper mantle. My Master’s thesis research at KU focused on the geochemical and microbiological effects of CO2 storage in the Arbuckle Group, as part of the South-central Kansas CO2 Project. My work at KGS involves the utilization of data from thousands of Class II wells to investigate the correlation between salt water disposal and seismicity in Kansas. I enjoy long walks on the beach, and watching Star Trek (especially DS9) on Netflix.
I grew up in California, and received a BS in Geology from Humboldt State University in 2011. Prior to attending graduate school at the University of Kansas, I spent nearly a year at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. conducting research on trace element partitioning in the upper mantle. My Master’s thesis research at KU focused on the geochemical and microbiological effects of CO2 storage in the Arbuckle Group, as part of the South-central Kansas CO2 Project. My work at KGS involves the utilization of data from thousands of Class II wells to investigate the correlation between salt water disposal and seismicity in Kansas. I enjoy long walks on the beach, and watching Star Trek (especially DS9) on Netflix.
Minh C. Nguyen, Energy Research Intern (May 2014-May 2015; Now Ph.D. candidate at University of Wyoming)
I completed my M.S. in Petroleum Engineering at the University of Kansas in 2014 and have been working at the Kansas Geological Survey since May 2014. Born and raised in Saigon, Vietnam, I received my BE in Petroleum Geology from Vietnam National University and worked for Schlumberger prior to coming to KU. My work involves gathering publicly-available well data to build a geological model for the Cambro-Ordovician Arbuckle Group as part of an effort to investigate the role of fluid disposal on fault reactivation in southern Kansas. I am also assisting with building a Petrel™ archive for the South-Central Kansas CO2 study.
I completed my M.S. in Petroleum Engineering at the University of Kansas in 2014 and have been working at the Kansas Geological Survey since May 2014. Born and raised in Saigon, Vietnam, I received my BE in Petroleum Geology from Vietnam National University and worked for Schlumberger prior to coming to KU. My work involves gathering publicly-available well data to build a geological model for the Cambro-Ordovician Arbuckle Group as part of an effort to investigate the role of fluid disposal on fault reactivation in southern Kansas. I am also assisting with building a Petrel™ archive for the South-Central Kansas CO2 study.
