Geology 4111: Vertebrate Paleontology
I excelled in the Vertebrate Paleontology course I took in Spring 2011, earning an A and forging a rapport with my professor, Dr. Schiebout. I was enthusiastic about the class because we learned about the evolutionary relationships of megafauna in the Cenozoic, dinosaurs in the Mesozoic, and strange fish, amphibians, and reptiles of the Paleozoic. I was a devoted student and attended two of three bonus field trips offered for fossil-hunting.
Featured Work
I gave a PowerPoint presentation on the evolution of whales from terrestrial quadrupeds to obligate marine predators during the Eocene.
Featured Work
I gave a PowerPoint presentation on the evolution of whales from terrestrial quadrupeds to obligate marine predators during the Eocene.
Extra Work in Paleontology
Under Dr. Schiebout's auspices, I have commenced a minor research project focusing on heteromyids (pocket mice and kangaroo rats) of Fort Polk that also date back to the Miocene. My work consists of characterizing these ancient mice by locality based on the sole remaining vestige and proof we have of their existence: teeth. I hope this project will provide me with a grounding in micro-paleontology, which plays a role in the petroleum industry.
LSU's vertebrate paleontology team, including myself and two other undergraduates, traveled to Fort Polk military base near Leesville, LA, on a field trip to scout for fossils and investigate the tail mark. We may return at some point to make a plaster mold of this impression, since the original rock is too cumbersome to move uphill by normal means, and transporting it back to LSU would prove cost-prohibitive. |
Geology 3071: Structural Geology
Featured Work
I delivered a short presentation on an important biogeographic event in paleontology, "The Great American Biotic Interchange," in my Structural Geology class. "The Great American Biotic Interchange" describes the union of North and South America 3 million years ago and the resulting exchange of mammalian fauna. For example, North American mastodons, horses, and camels sought new home on the range in South America, while sloths, anteaters, armadillos, and opossums, from the endemic South American fauna, expanded their vistas to North America. The formation of the Panamanian isthmus was the key to igniting these reciprocal exchanges of taxa between continents.
I delivered a short presentation on an important biogeographic event in paleontology, "The Great American Biotic Interchange," in my Structural Geology class. "The Great American Biotic Interchange" describes the union of North and South America 3 million years ago and the resulting exchange of mammalian fauna. For example, North American mastodons, horses, and camels sought new home on the range in South America, while sloths, anteaters, armadillos, and opossums, from the endemic South American fauna, expanded their vistas to North America. The formation of the Panamanian isthmus was the key to igniting these reciprocal exchanges of taxa between continents.
Geology 3041: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
Featured Work
Early in the igneous (specifically, volcanic) portion of the course, I gave a brief presentation before the class about the volcano Mt. Fuji, discussing how it formed, past eruptions, its current activity and status, and potential hazards to Tokyo and Japan's population.
Early in the igneous (specifically, volcanic) portion of the course, I gave a brief presentation before the class about the volcano Mt. Fuji, discussing how it formed, past eruptions, its current activity and status, and potential hazards to Tokyo and Japan's population.
Other Selected Works
I took these photomicrographs of the minerals in a metamorphic rock sample, QC82-23, from the Beartooth Mountains in Montana. Studying mineral assemblages in metamorphic rocks is important because pressure and temperature determine what minerals will be precipitated in a rock for a given bulk chemical composition. Based on QC82-23's mineral assemblage, I identified it as a metapelitic granulite originating from a sedimentary protolith.
I took these photomicrographs of the minerals in a metamorphic rock sample, QC82-23, from the Beartooth Mountains in Montana. Studying mineral assemblages in metamorphic rocks is important because pressure and temperature determine what minerals will be precipitated in a rock for a given bulk chemical composition. Based on QC82-23's mineral assemblage, I identified it as a metapelitic granulite originating from a sedimentary protolith.
Geology 2081: Mineralogy
Featured Work
This academic poster highlights the industrial uses of the mineral chromite. Mining is an important application of economic geology, and metals such as chromium are often mined from ore deposits. Consequently, it is important to understand how and where igneous veins rich in metals are liable to form. In this project, I learned that South Africa hosts the Bushveld Igneous Complex, the largest single chromite resource in the world. When tendrils of magma seep toward the surface, they cool over time, precipitating metal-rich ore deposits as chromium separates from the mixture at its freezing point.
This academic poster highlights the industrial uses of the mineral chromite. Mining is an important application of economic geology, and metals such as chromium are often mined from ore deposits. Consequently, it is important to understand how and where igneous veins rich in metals are liable to form. In this project, I learned that South Africa hosts the Bushveld Igneous Complex, the largest single chromite resource in the world. When tendrils of magma seep toward the surface, they cool over time, precipitating metal-rich ore deposits as chromium separates from the mixture at its freezing point.