Andrea Koziol leads students on projects near and far

Tim O’Brien

Tim and Dr. Koziol centered their work in the Goshen Dome area of Western Massachusetts. What began as a quick reconnaissance trip to investigate some potentially interesting rocks has quickly become much more. There are primarily two types of rock that are found in the area. The first is light colored gneiss. This is located in the middle of the dome. The second is a darker garnet schist, which completely surrounds the dome. Dr. Koziol and Tim may investigate whether the contacts that have been mapped in the Goshen Dome area correct. The area is relatively small, and often ignored by some because of the much larger domes in the area. Perhaps Tim and Dr. Koziol can rewrite the bedrock maps of Massachusetts.

Andy Gorman

The 2005-6 school year presented Dr. Koziol and student Andy Gorman with a unique opportunity.  The two decided to investigate the past surface water and land use changes at the University of Dayton. The founding brothers initially survived on the land by farming and raising their own livestock. Also, the land had about three ponds and a large creek, Rubicon Creek, running through. Today, no one sees the evidence of the creek or ponds. A huge break in the research was the discovery of an early blue print of the property. With this, Andy and Dr. Koziol were able to make comparisons to the current property. Historical photos indicated exactly where the old ponds and creek were at one time. They hope to take this project further and investigate the changes over time in the groundwater.

NSF Research Experience For Undergraduates

Emily Hathaway: Williamsburg, VA

Emily participated in the interdisciplinary watershed studies program at the College of William and Mary. Her projected focused on the effects of retention basins on stormwater quality. She also had the opportunity to present this research at the regional GSA meeting in Savannah, GA. On her experience this summer, “Overall it was a great learning experience from which I gained not only educational knowledge but grew as a person. The program enabled me to have many new experiences and to make life long friends. I recommend that other students apply for REU programs for the wonderful overall life experience.”

Heather Stewart: Svalbard, Norway

In cooperation with UNIS (University Center in Svalbard), Heather’s REU group focused on studying the climate history and current state of modern glaciers in the Linnedalen area. Being one of the most remote habited areas of the world, working in Svalbard required some special preparation. Heather spent her first week in rifle and polar bear training and survival suit training. When it was time to start the research a quick boat ride brought the group to their new summer home at Kapp Linne. Heather soon got to work on her project, a study of the current melting rates for the Linnebreen (Linne Glacier). This included setting up a snow sensor and a weather station.