Submitted by Marc Gagne on Fri, 09/04/2009 - 17:33
Faculty and Staff Contact Information:
Bosbyshell, Howell - Instructor, Research Associate
Introductory Geology, Geophysics, Structural Geology
B.S., West Chester University
Ph.D., Bryn Mawr College
Dr. Bosbyshell's research is concerned with the tectonic and thermal evolution of mountain belts, with an emphasis on developing a modern tectonic interpretation for the Central Appalachians. By combining detailed mapping with structural and petrographic analysis, he is developing an integrated thermal, baric, and kinematic record of orogenic evolution, building from the thin section through regional scales. An important component of this work is collaborative research to establish the absolute timing of deformation and metamorphism through in situ dating of monazite using the electron microprobe. Dr. Bosbyshell teaches Introduction to Geology, Structural Geology, and Fundamentals of Geologic Techniques.
Office Location and Hours: Merion 234; Ext. 2805; M, T, W, 9-10, R 9-11; or by appt.
Busch, Richard - Professor
Geology, Historical Geology, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy and Science Education.
A.B., Franklin & Marshall College
M.A., Temple University
Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
Dr. Busch teaches Introduction to Geology, Historical Geology, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Science for the Elementary Grades, and Modern Trends in Science Education. Dr. Busch has developed inquiry-oriented, hands-on, object-based pedagogical strategies and curriculum materials to be used in K-12 science education. He has also developed Satellite Education pedagogical strategies as a science-technology-society vehicle for grades 3-12. His research in geology focuses on 1) trilobite biostratigraphy and 2) the use of methods and applications of event stratigraphy for understanding the details of spatial-temporal relationships in the geological record. He is currently studying the biostratigraphy and newcspecies of trilobites in Upper Silurian and Lower Devonian formations of the Appalachian Basin plus event stratigraphy of the Marcellus Shale and Shawangunk Formation.
Office Location and Hours: Merion 235; Ext. 2716; M 10-12, W 1:30-3:30, R 1-2 or by appt.
Fisher, Cindy - Associate Professor
Oceanography, Paleontology, Global Change and Paleoclimatology.
A.B., Augustana College
M.S., Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder
M.S., Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder
Dr. Fisher's research interests include the study of marine microfossils as proxies for paleoceanography. Her research involves interpreting ocean circulation during the maximum greenhouse paleoclimate of the Cretaceous world. Besides, introductory geology courses, she has taught Oceanography, Paleontology, Global Change and Paleoclimatology
Office Location and Hours: Merion 212; Ext. 2108; M 10-12, T 2-3, W 10-12 or by appt.
Gagné, Marc - Associate Professor, Chair
General Astronomy, Intermediate Astronomy, History of Astronomy.
B.S. Physics, Université de Montréal
Ph.D. Physics, University of Georgia
Dr. Gagné and his students study young stars and star formation, primarily through their x-ray and infrared emission. Students in his research group analyze data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Spitzer Space Telescope to identify newborn stars in molecular clouds, star clusters, and OB associations. With his collaborators at Swarthmore College, Penn State and the University of Delaware, his research seeks to understand the mechanisms which produce the x-rays seen from the most massive young stars. Dr. Gagné also studies glaciers via passive microwave remote sensing in collaboration with colleagues at Lehigh University.
Office Location and Hours: Merion 205; Ext. 3014; T 11-12 and 3-4, W 4-5, R 1-2 and 3-4 or by appt.
Good, Steve - Professor
Elementary and secondary science teaching methods, Introduction to Geology, and Paleontology.
A.B., Augustana College
M.S., Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder
M.S., Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder
Dr. Good's research uses non-marine mollusks (river and lake clams and snails) as tools for solving geological problems (primarily to constrain ancient depositional environments and to determine the age of deposition). Current research includes the study of fossils from the Newark Supergroup (Triassic-Jurassic) rift basins along the eastern seaboard of the United States and Canada; the Morrison Formation (Jurassic) of Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana; early Tertiary basins of Nevada and Montana; the Holocene lake cores from the Finger Lakes of central New York. Other research examines the development of collaborations between professional scientific organizations and in-service and pre-service teachers. Dr. Good teaches courses in elementary and secondary science teaching methods, Introduction to Geology, and Paleontology.
Office Location and Hours: Merion 228; Ext. 2203; M 1-2 and 3-4, W 3-4, R 1-2 or by appt.
Geochemistry.
B.S. Chemistry, Howard University
Ph.D. Geochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology
Office Location and Hours: Merion 215; Ext. 1003; M 1-3, T 4-6, R 12-1 or by appt.
Helmke, Martin - Assistant Professor
Introductory Geology, Hydrogeology.
B.S., Antioch College
Ph.D., Iowa State University
Ph.D., Iowa State University
Dr. Helmke teaches Hydrogeology, Fundamentals of Soil, and Introduction to Geology at WCU. His research interests include contaminant transport through fractured materials, soil and groundwater remediation, groundwater and contaminant transport simulation, risk assessment, and collecting images using unoccupied aerial vehicles. He previously taught geology courses at Iowa State University and Dickinson College, and served as a senior hydrogeologist at an environmental consulting firm in the Washington, D.C. area.
Office Location and Hours: Merion 211; Ext. 3565; T/R 9:15-10:45 and 1-2 or by appt.
Helmke, Vicki - Instructor
Paleontology.
Office Location and Hours: Merion 211; Ext. 3565; MW 3-4 or by appt.
Hilliker, Joby - Associate Professor
Meteorology.
B.S., M.S., Ph.D., Penn State University
Joby Hilliker teaches ESS 170 (Our Atmosphere) and several other meteorology courses for majors in the Geology and Astronomy Department. While studying meteorology at Penn State, Joby was a part-time television meteorologist for "Weather World", a PBS daily weather program. Joby also worked as a weather forecaster at Accu-Weather, a writer for the weather page presented in The New York Times, and taught an introductory meteorology course at his alma mater. In 2003-2004, Joby moved to Cincinnati, OH, where he worked at Cinergy Corp., a Mid-West utility company, where he developed statistical algorithms, constructed short-term energy products, and communicated weather forecasts with energy traders.
Dr. Hilliker has written several research articles relating to statistical weather forecasting. His Master's and Ph.D. work focused on constructing prototype forecast systems for use in the aviation industry. One such system outputted short-term probabilistic forecasts for fog dissipation at the San Francisco Airport, while a second system aided air-traffic controllers in short-term decision-making during thunderstorm events.
Office Location and Hours: Merion 223; Ext. 2213; M 3-4, T 12-2, W 1-2, R 2-3 or by appt.
Lutz, Tim - Associate Professor
Environmental Geology, Mathematical Geology and Geochemisty
B.A., Wesleyan University
Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Lutz teaches courses in environmental geology, mathematical geology, and geochemistry. Research interests include applying statistical analyses and mathematical modeling to problems in the earth sciences. Current interests include studying the effects of climate change on streamflow and flood risk, and determining how to best communicate the risks of natural hazards. Publications include studies of why volcanoes form where they do; how rocks deep within Earth cool as they are uplifted and uncovered by erosion; what the complex shell structure of ancient organisms reveals about evolution; and how rocks in northern Delaware crystallized from molten material.
Office Location and Hours: Merion 231; Ext. 349; M/T 2-3, W 1-3, R 3-4 or by appt.
Maxwell, Richard (Sandy) - Instructor
Science Methods
Science Methods
Sandy Maxwell teaches SCE 310, Science Methods for the Elementary Grades, and supervises student teachers.
Office Location and Hours: SSL 166; 610-256-7462; T 11-12:30, R 1:45-3:15 or by appt.
Nikitina, Daria - Assistant Professor
Geomorphology
B.S., M.S. Geography, Moscow State University
Ph.D. Geology, University of Delaware
Office Location and Hours: Merion 217; Ext. 3103; M 3-4, T 12-2, W 1-3 or by appt.
Smith, Art - Associate Professor
Geology, Science Education.
B.A., M.S., Ed.D., University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Smith was Pennsylvania's 1975 Teacher of the Year, the 1983 recipient of the National Science Foundation's Outstanding Educator in Science and Mathematics Award for Pennsylvania, and the 1992 recipient of the University of Pennsylvania's Alumni of the Year Award in education, Dr. Smith teaches classes in geology and science education. Dr. Smith is also the recipient and consultant on Ben Franklin partnership research grants, developing new technologies and job opportunities with local companies in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Office Location and Hours: Merion 229; Ext. 3499; M 4-5, T/R 3:30-4:15 and 7-8, W 4-5 or by appt.
Srogi, LeeAnn - Professor
Geology, Mineralogy, Investigating Earth Material and Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology.
B.S. Yale University
Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Srogi teaches Introduction to Geology and upper-level courses in Mineralogy: investigating mineral systems (ESS 302) and Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (ESS 405). At the graduate level, she teaches a related course, Investigating Earth Materials (ESS 502), and workshops designed to stimulate new ways of teaching about minerals and rocks: beyond "rock-in-a-box"! Dr. Srogi also team-teaches (with biology faculty) SCI 101, The Carbon Cycle, a General Education science course for students majoring in elementary education. Beginning in spring 2004, she will offer a new General Education course on Volcanoes (ESS 125). Dr. Srogi has conducted research into the geologic and tectonic history of the region for more than twenty years, and she incorporates this research into her classes. For example, in spring 2003, the Petrology students analyzed rock chemical compositions to aid in mapping meta-sedimentary units, in partnership with Dr. Gale Blackmer of the Pennsylvania Geologic Survey. She continues to study Paleozoic igneous and metamorphic rocks in Pennsylvania and Delaware, and their connections with similar units throughout the Appalachians. In addition, she is starting research on the Mesozoic igneous rocks (the Jurassic diabases) in the Morgantown-Douglassville areas. Her non-rock interests include music (mostly classical and jazz), reading, cooking, films, hiking, birding, and gardening with native plants to provide habitat for birds and insects.
Office Location and Hours: Merion 201; Ext. 2721; M 3:30-5, T 12:30-2, W 10-12 or by appt.
Vanlandingham, Karen - Assistant Professor
Introductory Astronomy, Geology of the Solar System, and Planetarium Director
B.S., New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Ph.D., Arizona State University
Dr. Vanlandingham is the Director of the West Chester University Planetarium. She teaches General Astronomy, Geology of the Solar and System, and The Origin of Life and the Universe. Dr. Vanlandingham studies interacting binary stars, specifically classical nova explosions. She uses observations and computer models to determine the elemental abundances produced in these explosions. It is thought that novae may be responsible for some of the isotopic anomalies seen in meteoritic inclusions in our solar system and may also contribute significantly to the abundance of some isotopes of aluminum and sodium seen distributed throughout the galaxy. Dr. Vanlandingham's research also includes studies of isolated magnetic white dwarfs. Some of these stars have been found to have magnetic fields of 1000 mega-gauss - over billion times stronger than the Earth's magnetic field. Dr. Vanlandingham's other areas of interest include how popular culture influences what we think of science, great debates in science, and elementary education and public outreach.
Office Location and Hours: Merion 225; Ext. 2788; W 2-4, R 12:30-2, F 10-11:30 or by appt.
O’Connor, Rosemary - Secretary
Assistant Merion Science Center Building Administrator
Office Location and Hours: Merion 207; Ext. 2727; M-F 8-4
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