GSCI Research Application for Fall 2025
The GSCI department encourages all students to become involved in research during their time as an undergraduate student.  Such involvement has the potential to teach you new skills and will provide the opportunity to explore deeper into geological topics you might be interested in.

Faculty in our department mentor student research projects during the academic year and if you are interested in being involved in such an opportunity during the Fall 2025 semester, please fill out this form.  

**We encourage you to speak with your academic advisor to see if/how research might fit into your spring courses and overall academic plans.

We welcome applications from students of all backgrounds and identities and embrace Geneseo's Diversity goals (https://www.geneseo.edu/diversity).

The form will close to new applications at the end of the day on Friday March 14th 2025 and you will hear back by Friday March 28th or sooner.

IMPORTANTLY:  If you are not matched for a research experience or directed study on this round of applications, please apply again in the future.  An application does not guarantee you a position.

Here are some descriptions of the research opportunities that are available in the Fall '25 semester.  If you have interests in a research project that is not described here, please let us know in the application.  We also encourage you to come and chat with us if you have questions about the work we do and how students might be involved:
 
•Dr. Dori Farthing (ISC 254):
1) Looking for 1-3 students to study the mineralogy of waste materials (slag) produced by iron smelting activities in the Adirondacks.  Students will use x-ray diffraction and electron microscopy to investigate what minerals originally formed in these materials as well as secondary weathering minerals.  Farthing is also interested in finding 1-2 students who might be interested in helping to refine the department's mineral and rock catalog and/or displays.

2) Students need to either have completed or be enrolled in mineralogy (GSCI 210).

•Dr. Scott Giorgis (ISC 247):
1) Looking for two students interested in collecting field data over the summer in Virginia (3-4 days; first half of June 2025).  Those same students will take part in directed studies in Fall 2025 (or Spring 2026) to analyze the samples collected. The goal of the project to better understand the earliest stages of the opening of the Atlantic Ocean in the Mesozoic as recorded in the Scottsville Basin, VA.  Rifting resulted in the formation of grabens and half grabens filled with sediment and cut by mafic dikes.  We will collect paleomagnetic samples from key dikes in the basin.  Previous work by Kaylee Rains ('25) and Wes Sharlow ('24) suggests that paleomagnetic analysis of those samples should tell us about the timing and style of deformation during the rifting event.  Travel expenses will be covered by a research grant from the Geneseo Foundation.

2) Structural Geology is preferred, but not necessary.  Please note field trips you have participated in on your application.  Field experience (in any class) is preferred, but not required.  Field work will involve 3-4 days of camping.

•Dr. Jeff Over (ISC 249):
1) Looking for 2-3 students interested in 1-3 credit directed studies in Fall 2025 to do conodont studies and astrochronology studies.  This will be in preparation for Summer 2026 paid research internships for two students on an NSF grant investigating ocean-climate-biosphere interactions in the Late Devonian, a time of rapid global change.  This will include field work in Bolivia in Illinois in 2026, and possibly  Texas.  

Additional research areas to consider are astrochronology of Upper Devonian strata in Colorado, biostrigraphic investigation of the Pipe Creek, Dunkirk, and Hume formations in the Upper Devonian of western New York State, and the Frasnian-Famennian boundary interval in the Kettle Point Formation in western Ontario.  

Students who pursue this research will learn how to generate field measurements, core descriptions, and will learn how to use the program "Astrochron", and the scanning electron microscope.  All of these projects will result in presentation of results at a regional or national meeting.

2) Stratigraphy is preferred, but not necessary.  Any class standing with demonstrated aptitude for detailed work is sufficient.  If you are interested in working on the NSF or Kettle Point Project, you will need a valid US passport.

•Dr. Nick Warner (ISC 253):
1)  Looking for up to two students in the fall semester to conduct 1 to 2 credit directed studies to evaluate impact crater morphology and the shallow stratigraphy of active and historical landing sites on Mars. The project connects directly to NASA mission science. Students should have experience in ArcGIS (from either a Geography or Geology course). Preference will be given to students who took Geomorphology, Remote Sensing, or are taking Planetary Geology in the fall semester. This project has the potential to be longer term, extending into the Spring (and possibly Summer) semester.

•Dr. Jackie Wittmer-Malinowski (ISC 250):
No opportunities for the Fall semester because I will be on sabbatical. BUT there will be opportunities for Spring 2026 Research. Look for announcements in late Fall about research with Dr. Jackie

-Dr. Sarah Gaudio (ISC 251):   
1-credit option only that focuses on deep use of instrumentation and sample preparation.  Instrumentation study could include some or all XRD, SEM, EDS, Calcimeter, Gas Pycnometer.

Email *
Please provide your lived name (first and last): *
If you are comfortable doing so, please share your pronouns
What is your anticipated graduation term and year? (e.g., Spring 2025...)
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List your major(s) and minor(s) 

note:  it is fine if you are undeclared.
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You are not required to be an expert to participate in GSCI research, however please list any courses you have taken in the past that you think would be relevant to participating in a research project (i.e. ecology, stratigraphy, paleontology, chemistry, etc.)
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What are your professional or career goals after graduating?  If unsure, don't be afraid to say so! 
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Do you already have a research project in progress that you would like?  If so...please elaborate.  If not...you can leave this question blank.  

note:  this is particularly important to answer if you have a project associated with a summer Keck or REU program that requires you to have an on-campus mentor.  Please also note here if you would be continuing a project you have already started with a GSCI faculty member.
Please indicate which faculty you would be interested in pursuing research with. (check all that are of interest to you)
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Required
If you chose more than one option above, which is your top choice?  If you have an idea for research that isn't listed above, please tell us about it in OTHER
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What is the research topic you are most interested in? *
What type of research activities do you prefer? (choose all that are appropriate)
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Required
Describe why you want to do research.
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Please share any skills you have that would aid in pursuing the research activities that interest you? (e.g., experience using specialized software, experience from laboratory or lecture courses, job experience, experience from extracurricular activities…). 

Keep in mind, prior research experience is not a requirement
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Students who pursue spring-semester research earn credits for the work they do.  If you are selected for a research project, how many credits would you like your directed study to be?  (remember that the number of credits corresponds to the amount of time that the work will involve).  *
Is there anything else you would like to share with us regarding your participation in a GSCI research project?

Also, if there are things you need more clarification about or are concerned about, please feel free to explain here?.
How did you hear about the ability to apply for research opportunities in the department of Geological Sciences? *
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