CV
B.S., Hobart College, 1979
M.S., University of Montana, 1981
Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1985.
Visiting Associate Professor, Caltech, 1996
Robert E. Shrock Professor of Geology, MIT 1988-2005
Moore Distinguished Scholar, Caltech 2004
Fletcher Jones Professor of Geology, Caltech 2005- present
Past Graduate Students
Joannah Metz (Ph.D. 2010)
Thesis title: A study of the record of ancient sedimentary rocks on Mars using MER, HiRISE, and CRISM images
Wes Watters (Ph.D. 2008)
Thesis title: Hypervelocity impacts and the evolution of planetary surfaces and interiors.
David Fike (Ph.D. 2007)
Thesis title: Carbon and sulfur isotopic constraints on Ediacaran biogeochemical processes, Huqf Supergroup, Sultanate of Oman.
Bill Lyons (Ph.D. 2004)
Thesis topic: Experimental simulation of submarine fan architecture, and 3D seismic mapping of submarine fan evolution. Employed as Research Scientist at Shell USA, Houston.
Steve DiBenedetto (M.Sc. 2002)
Thesis Title: High-resolution facies architecture and sediment transport mechanisms on the terminal Proterozoic Kuibis carbonate ramp, Nama Group, Namibia. Employed as Environmental Geologist, Albany, NY.
Wes Watters (M.Sc. 2000)
Thesis title: Digital reconstructions of Fossil Morphologies, Nama Group, Namibia. Currently in PhD program at MIT.
Robert Flemings (M.Sc. 2000)
Thesis title: Numerical simulation of turbidite sedimentation and submarine fan development. Employed at Earthworks Environmental, Redding, CT.
Clement Aina (M.Sc 1999)
Thesis topic: Well-log analysis of reservoir heterogeneity, Benin River field, Nigeria. Employed as Production Geologist at Chevron Nigeria.
Kelvin Chan (M.Sc. 1999)
Thesis title: Numerical simulation of stromatolite morphogenesis. Currently in PhD program in Physics at Boston University.
Odin Smith (M.Sc. 1998)
Thesis title: Terminal Proterozoic carbonate platform development: Stratigraphy and sedimentology of the Kuibis Subgroup (ca. 550-548 Ma), northern Nama basin, Namibia. Employed as environmental lawyer with Fire Island National Seashore, NY.
Jennifer Carlson (Ph.D. 1998)
Thesis title: Analytical and Statistical Approaches Toward Understanding Sedimentation in Siliciclastic Depositional Systems. Employed at Lucent Corporation.
Eliot Ibie (M.Sc. 1997)
Thesis title: Seismic Stratigraphic Analysis in the Niger Delta: A Case History of the Benin River 3-D Seismic Cube. Employed as Exploration Geologist at Chevron Nigeria.
Shane Pelechaty (Ph.D. 1996)
Thesis title: The Vendian-Cambrian System of Siberia: Correlation, Tectonics and Petroleum Geology. Employed as Senior Research Scientist at Shell Exploration International.
Beverly Saylor (Ph.D. 1996)
Thesis title: Sequence stratigraphic and chemostratigraphic constraints on the evolution of the terminal Proterozoic to Cambrian Nama basin, Namibia. Employed as Associate Professor, Case Western Reserve University.
Dawn Sumner (Ph.D. 1995).
Thesis title: Facies, paleogeography, and carbonate precipitation on the Archean (2520 Ma) Campbellrand-Malmani carbonate platform, Transvaal Supergroup, South Africa. Employed as Full Professor at University of California at Davis.
Brad Ritts (M.S. 1994)
Thesis title: Depositional facies and detrital composition of the Paleoproterozoic Et-Then Group, NWT, Canada. Employed as Associate Professor, University of Indiana.
Roy Adams (Ph.D. 1993)
Thesis title: Sequence-stratigraphic analysis of mixed carbonate-siliciclastic Cambrian sediments, Carrara Formation, southwest Basin and Range, California and Nevada. Employed as Research Scientist at Utah Geological Survey and Adjunct Assistant Professor at University of Utah.
David McCormick (Ph.D. 1992)
Thesis title: Evolution of an Early Proterozoic alluvially-dominated foreland basin, Burnside Formation, Kilohigok Basin, N.W.T., Canada. Employed as Team Leader and Senior Research Scientist at Schlumberger-Doll Research Laboratory.
Julio Friedmann (M.Sc. 1990)
Thesis title: Stratigraphy, sedimentology, and Tectonic Evolution of the 1.86 Ga El Sherana and Edith River Groups, Northern Territory, Australia. Employed as Group Leader for Carbon Storage Initiative, Lawrence-Livermore Laboratories.
Linda Kah (M.Sc. 1990)
Thesis title: Early Proterozoic (1.9 Ga) Thrombolites of the Rocknest Formation, Northwest Territories, Canada. Employed as Associate Professor, University of Tennessee.
Past Postdoctoral Research Associates
Thomas Bristow (2008-2010)
Currently at NASA Ames
Woodward Fischer (2006-2008)
Currently in position of Assistant Professor, Caltech
Ralph Milliken (2006-2007)
Research Topic: Analysis of CRISM data and interpretation of stratal geometries, Melas Chasma and Juventae Chasma, Mars.
Currently employed as an Assistant Professor, Notre Dame
Justin Ries (2006)
Research Topic: Sulfur isotope chemostratigraphy, Nama Group, Namibia.
Mike Tice (2005-2006)
Research Topic: Experimental morphogenesis of microbial mats.
Currently in position of Assistant Professor, Texas A&M
Adam Maloof (2004 -2006)
Research Topic: Magnetism and stratigraphy of modern carbonates, Andros Island, Bahamas. Currently in position as Assistant Professor at Princeton University.
Erwin Adams (2001 - 2004)
Research Topic: Digital mapping of terminal Proterozoic carbonate platforms, Nama Group, Namibia. Currently employed by Shell exploration research company.
Stefan Schroeder (2000-2003)
Research Topics: Trace element and Re-Os systematics of the Athel Silicilyte source rock event, terminal Proterozoic, Oman; and comparative analysis of thrombolite genesis and reef development in terminal Proterozoic carbonates in Namibia (outcrop) and Oman (subsurface). Currently employed by Total production research company.
Aileen McLeod (2000-2001)
Research Topic: Interpretation of 3D and regional survey seismic data from the Namibian segment of the west African continental margin.
Jim Buttles (1999-2001)
Research Topic: Experimental studies of submarine fan channel development, and acoustic imaging of experimentally-produced stratigraphy.
Jennifer Carlson (1998 - 1999)
Research topic: Turbidite stratigraphy, Karoo sequence, South Africa. Currently employed by Lucent Corporation.
Jeff Parsons (1997 -2000)
Research topics: Experimental studies of sediment gravity flow triggering mechanisms and depositional scaling relationships. Currently in position of Associate Professor, University of Washington.
Mike Pope (1995 -1998)
Research topics: Precambrian-Cambrian boundary stratigraphy, Turukhansk, Siberia; Paleoproterozoic carbonate and evaporite sedimentology, NWT, Canada. Currently in position of Associate Professor, Washington State University.