Where are they now?

Graduates with the Biogeochemistry dual-title across programs

Geosciences and Biogeochemistry Graduates:

  • Ben Davis Barnes, Ph.D., 2022. Dissertation Title: The biogeochemical cycling of rare earth elements in the modern and ancient oceans
    • Now: Agouron Geobiology Postdoctoral Fellow in Dept. of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College
  • Si (Athena) Chen, Ph.D., 2021, Dissertation Title: The formation of iron (hydr)oxides in surface environments: a crystallographic and kinetic study
    • Now: Post-doctoral researcher at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
  • Shelby Lyons, Ph.D., 2020, Dissertation Title: The role of petrogenic carbon in Cenozoic climate events
    • Now:  Geoscientist at ExxonMobil / Organic & stable isotope geochemist
  • Uyen Nguyen, Ph.D., 2018, Dissertation Title: Geochemical and metagenomic investigation of marine hydrocarbon biodegradation
    • Now: Technical product manager of analytics with Skedulo
  • Xin Gu, Ph.D., 2017, Dissertation Title: Characterizing structure and geochemistry of shale pores by neutron scattering
    • Now: Research Assistant Professor for Geosciences Department at Penn State
  • Jason Boettger, Ph.D. 2017, Dissertation Title: CO2 hydration and hydroxylation: the origin of carbonate kinetic isotope effects
    • Now: Postdoctoral scholar, University of Texas at El Paso and Adjunct Instructor of Geology, Pellissippi State Community Collge
  • Leah Brandt, Ph.D. 2016, Dissertation Title: A molecular analysis of subsurface microbial communities across a hydrothermal gradient in Okinawa Trough sediments
    • Now: Research Instructor in Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh
  • Elizabeth Denis, Ph.D. 2016, Dissertation Title: Production and preservation of organic and fire-derived carbon across the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum
    • Now: Chemist and Earth Scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
  • Christine Doman, Ph.D. 2014,  Dissertation Title: Stable isotope and lipid signatures of plants across a climate gradient: implications for biomarker-based paleoclimate reconstructions
    • Now: Stable Isotope Mass Spectrometrist with SNA International
  • Amanda Martino, Ph.D. 2014, Dissertation Title: Assessment and advancement of approaches for the study of subseafloor microbial communities
    • Now: Associate Professor of Biology, St. Francis University
  • Karen Smith, Ph.D. 2014,  Dissertation Title: Exogenous and endogenous sources of organic compounds on the early Earth: Investigating carbonaceous meteorites and plausibly prebiotic complex mixtures by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry
    • Now: Postdoctoral researcher at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
  • Tiffany Yesavage, Ph.D. 2014, Dissertation Title: Chemical and physical weathering in regolith: an investigation of three different Fe-rich sites of varying climate and lithology
    • Now: Freelance science writer and proud single mom
  • Ying Cui, Ph.D. 2014, Dissertation Title: Carbon addition during the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum: model inversion of a new, high-resolution carbon isotope record from Svalbard
    • Now: Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Studies, Montclair State University
  • Heather Graham, Ph.D. 2014, Dissertation Title: Molecular and isotopic indicators of canopy closure in ancient forests and the effects of environmental gradients on leaf alkane expression
    • Now: Research Associate at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
  • Clayton Magill, Ph.D. 2013, Dissertation Title: Molecular and isotopic perspectives on early human habitats at Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania
    • Now:  Research Fellow at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh UK
  • Elizabeth Herndon, Ph.D. 2012,  Dissertation Title: Biogeochemistry of manganese contamination in a temperate forested watershed
    • Now: Staff Scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
  • Daniel S. Jones, Ph.D. 2011, Dissertation Title: Microbial ecology and biogeochemistry of sulfidic karst ecosystems
    • Now: Assistant Professor of Geobiology, New Mexico Tech, and Academic Director for National Cave and Karst Research Institute
  • Aaron Regberg, Ph.D. 2011, Dissertation Title: The effect of dissimilatory iron reduction, nitrate reduction and microbial growth on electrical conductivity
    • Now: Geomicrobiologist, Astromaterials Curaton and Planetary Protection Lead at NASA
  • Katherine Dawson, Ph.D. 2011, Dissertation Title: Biogeochemistry of isoprenoid production and anaerobic hydrocarbon biodegradation
    • Now: Assistant Professor of Environmental Sciences at Rutgers University
  • Aaron Diefendorf, Ph.D. 2011, Dissertation Title: Environmental and ecological constraints on molecular and isotopic signatures in terrestrial organic carbon
    • Now: Associate Professor of Geology at the University of Cincinnati
  • Tim Fischer, Ph.D. 2011, Dissertation Title: Structural transformations of birnessite ([delta]-MnO₂) during biological and abiological reduction
  • Heidi Albrecht, Ph.D. 2011, Dissertation Title: Bacteriohopanepolyols across environmental gradients
    • Now: Geochemist for Shell Exploration and Production
  • James Fulton, Ph.D. 2010, Dissertation Title: Interpreting nitrogen isotope excursions in the sedimentary record
    • Now: Assistant Research Professor of Geology at Baylor University
  • Bryn Kimball, Ph.D. 2009, Dissertation Title: Biogeochemical cycling of copper in acid mine drainage
    • Now: Senior Geochemist at INTERA Incorporated
  • Katja Meyer, Ph.D. 2008, Dissertation Title: Biogeochemistry of oceanic euxinia in earth history: numerical modeling and evaluation of biomarkers using modern analogs
    • Now: Assistant Professor of Environmental and Earth Sciences, Willamette University
  • Randal B. Thomas, Ph.D. 2008, Dissertation Title: Intramolecular isotopic variation in acetate in sediments and wetland soil
    • Now: Professor of Environmental and Earth Science, Willamette University

Environmental Engineering and Biogeochemistry Graduates:

  • Jimmy Farnan, Ph.D. 2022. Dissertation Title: Environmental and toxicological impacts from oil and gas wastewater disposal practices in Pennsylvania
  • Diana Ayala, Ph.D. 2021, Dissertation Title: Omics-enabled evaluation of microbial communities in acidic environmental systems
    • Now:  Professor in bioprocesses modelling at Universidad de las Americas-Ecuador
  • Lance Larson, Ph.D. 2013, Dissertation Title: Integrated hydro-biogeochemistry: iron dynamics in acid mine drainage environments
    • Now: Analyst in environmental policy at Congressional Research Service
  • Lisa Steinberg, Ph.D. 2009, Dissertation Title: Improved anaerobic digester stability to organic loading rate shocks with the use of an environmentally derived inoculum
    • Now: Founder of SciNcite doing scientific and R&D grant writing, business development, and research

Chemistry and Biogeochemistry Graduates: 

  • Paulina Piotrowski, Ph.D. 2018, Dissertation Title: Enhancing analytical methods towards the geochemical and biogeochemical fingerprinting of shale gas systems
    • Now: Animal drug review chemist at FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine

Ecology and Biogeochemistry Graduates:

  • Curt McConnell, Ph.D. 2023. Dissertation Title: Phosphorus Dynamics in a Changing Agroecosystem Landscapes
    • Now: Scientist, Sustainability Program, Indigo Ag
  • Christy Grettenberger, Ph.D. 2015, Dissertation Title: Microbial communities in acid mine drainage ecosystems
    • Now: Visiting Scientist in the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department at UC Davis
  • Aliana Reichert-Eberhardt, Ph.D. 2014, Dissertation Title: Impacts of surrounding land-use regime on the ecosystem services of denitrification and carbon storage in headwater wetlands in the Ridge and Valley physiographic province
  • Luke McCormack, Ph.D. 2012, Dissertation Title:  Measuring and modeling fine root dynamics in temperate forests
    • Now: Tree root biologist at the Morton Arboretum
  • Kevin Mueller, Ph. D. 2011, Dissertation Title: The influence of trees on soil biogeochemistry
    • Now: Assistant Professor of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences at Cleveland State University

Plant Pathology and Biogeochemistry Graduates:

  • Terry Torres Cruz, Ph.D., 2023. Dissertation Title: From fungus to flower: Pseudoflower formation by a novel Fusarium species from Guyana and its dispersal by insects
    • Now: Postdoctoral Scientist, Purdue University
  • Phillip Martin, Ph.D., 2021, Dissertation Title: The biology and management of bitter rot of apple in the Mid-Atlantic United States
    • Now: Research Scientist, LABServices
  • Rob Harvey, Ph.D. 2018, Dissertation Title: Evaluation of two sustainable practices for plant pathogen eradication
    • Now: Principle Scientist | Hazen and Sawyer, Baltimore, MD
  • Chris Smyth, Ph.D. 2018, Dissertation Title: Sink drains to sea turtle nests: unraveling the ecology and epidemiology of sea turtle fusariosis
    • Now: Lecturer in Biological Sciences, Binghamton University

Soil Science and Biogeochemistry Graduates:

  • Zachary Sanders, Ph.D., 2022. Using Field and Model Data to Improve Sustainable Management of Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur in Agroecosystems of Central Pennsylvania
    • Now: Assistant Professor, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Oklahoma
  • Caitlin Hodges, Ph.D., 2021, Dissertation Title: Interactions between minerals, oxygen, and carbon dioxide in the critical zone
    • Now: Assistant Professor of Critical Zone Geoscience, School of Geosciences, University of Oklahoma
  • Mara Cloutier, Ph.D., 2021, Dissertation Title: Toward understanding the impact of management practices on soil microbial nitrogen dynamics in agroecosystems
    • Now: Project Manager for the Dairy Soil and Water Regeneration project at the Soil Health Institute
  • Allison L. Franklin, Ph.D. 2019, Dissertation Title: The influence of wastewater reuse on the occurrence of antibiotics, antibiotic resistant bacteria, and toxicological impacts in the environment
    • Now: Environmental Biologist, USEPA Office of Research and Development
  • Emily Duncan, Ph.D. 2016, Dissertation Title: Nitrogen cycling and trade-offs with alternative manure application
    • Now: Senior Environmental Scientist, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project
  • Julie Weitzman, Ph.D. 2016, Dissertation Title: Variation in soil nitrogen retention across land uses, landscapes, and landforms in central Pennsylvania,
    • Now: Research and Development Scientist, Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry Lab, Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford University
  • Charles M. White, Ph.D. 2016, Dissertation Title: Using cover crop mixtures to reduce nitrate leaching and supply nitrogen to corn: Models to inform adaptive management,
    • Now: Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist of soil fertility and nutrient management at Penn State
  • Emily Woodward, Ph.D. 2016, Dissertation Title: Optimization of estrogen analyses and quantification of environmental samples from Pennsylvania water systems
    • Now: Research Physical Scientist, USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center
  • Debasish Saha, Ph.D. 2015, Dissertation Title: Nitrous oxide emissions in a landscape transitioning to the energy crops Miscanthus and Switchgrass
    • Now: Assistant Professor of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, University of Tennessee
  • Alison Grantham, Ph.D. 2015,  Dissertation Title: Improving nitrogen management in agriculture: opportunities gleaned from organic systems,
    • Now: Founder of Grow Well Consulting
  • Claudia Rojas, Ph.D. 2013, Dissertation Title: Effect of vegetative reclamation on microbial diversity and iron biogeochemistry in acid mine drainage precipitates at a 50-yr-old barrens
    • Now: Associate Professor at the Universidad de O’Higgins in the Instituto de Ciencias Agronomicas, Chile
  • Carla Rosenfeld, Ph.D. 2013, Dissertation Title: Heavy metal biogeochemistry: cadmium and zinc dynamics at the plant-soil interface
    • Now: Assistant Curator of Earth Sciences at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History
  • Marshall McDaniel, Ph.D.  2011, Dissertation Title: Ecosystem disturbance in a warmer and wetter northeastern US: how will soil C and N losses and microbial communities respond to a forest harvest in the future?
    • Now: Associate Professor of Agronomy at Iowa State University
  • Maina C. Martir Torres, Ph.D. 2010, Dissertation Title: Responses of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and archaea to soil mulching and interactions with soil temperature and moisture regimes
    • Now: Climate Change and Biodiversity Specialist at the US Agency for International Development
  • Morgan Minyard, Ph.D. 2010, Dissertation Title: Microbe-mineral associations in tropical saprolite and saprock formed from weathered quartz diorite
    • Now: Science and Technology Manager at United States Department of Defense
  • Ekaterina Bazilevskaya, Ph.D. 2009, Dissertation Title: Iron and aluminum hydroxide nanoparticles in the environment: from nano-scale to the field processes
    • Now: Director of the Soil Research Cluster Lab and Assistant Professor Penn State