Graduate Fellows

2008

Daniel Kiminki

Massive Binary Stars as a Probe of Massive Star Formation
Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, Univ. of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Henry Kobulnicky

Benjamin Koch

Improving predictions of carbon cycling in ecosystems: Quantifying non-consumptive interactions
Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Zoology & Physiology, Univ. of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Robert Hall

Jake Marson

Re-evaluation of the N.W. corner of the Storegga Slide headwall through interpretation of seismic data
MS Candidate, Dept. of Geology & Geophysics, Univ. of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. W. Steven Holbrook

Stephanie Peek

Evaluating the impact of climate change on nutrient cycling across the Eocene-Oligocene Boundary.
Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Geology & Geophysics, Univ. of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Mark Clementz

Paul Ridel

Ceria-supported Metal Catalysts for Water-gas Shift Reaction in Fuel Cell Applications
(Funded through a Faculty Research Grant)
Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Chemistry, Univ. of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Jing Zhou

Matthew Salava

Using spatial decision support systems to integrate visual and environmental consideration for visual resource management
MS Candidate, Dept. of Geography, Univ. of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Steven Prager

2007

Julia Angstmann

Using Landsat ETM+ to Separate and Quantify the Influence of Well- and Poorly-Drained Soils on Water Cycles of Boreal Ecosystems
Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Botany, Univ. of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Brent Ewers

Elizabeth Hajek

Avulsion clusters in ancient and experimental alluvial basins
Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, Univ. of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Paul Heller

Daniel Jones

An analysis of the importance of arc accretion to the Paleoproterozoic growth of the northern Colorado province
Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, Univ. of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Arthur Snoke

Carolynn Moore

Calibration of Star Formation Rate Indicators Spanning the Latter Half of the Age of the Universe
Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, Univ. of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Daniel Dale

Ryan Morgan

Volcanic Activity on Io: A Study of Volatile Effects on Thermal Processes and Spectral Properties
MS Candidate, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, Univ. of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Robert Howell

James Zier

Modeling the effects of climate change on amphibian breeding habitat in a kettle pond ecosystem, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming
Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Botany, Univ. of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Stephen Jackson

2006

Kay Achenbach

Mantle Flow Beneath Mid-Ocean Ridges
Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Geol./Geophys., Univ. of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Michael J. Cheadle

Eric Anderson

Integrating satellite-monitored movements, remote sensing of habitat, and surface-based observations to assess impacts of changes in coastal regions on declining sea ducks.
Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Zoology/Physiology, Univ. of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. James Lovvorn

Katie Greller

Mechanisms of nitrogen conservation in a small mammal hibernator during periods of protein scarcity and hibernation
M.S. Candidate, Dept. of Zoology/Physiology, Univ. of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Henry Harlow

Christopher Rodgers

Star Formation Histories of Milky Way Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies using the Red Giant Branch
Ph.D. Candidate, Physics & Astronomy, Univ. of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Ron Canterna

Karl Taboga

Structural Controls on Recharge Distribution in a Mountain Front Aquifer
M.S. Candidate, Geology & Geophysics, Univ. of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Carrick Eggleston

Melissa Thompson

Quantifying Effects of Spatial Variability on Scaling Vegetation Cover from Plots to Regions in a Sagebrush Ecosystem
M.S. Candidate, Dept. of Botany, Univ. of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Brent Ewers

Elizabeth Wilson

Scales of Seafloor Roughness and Their Effects on Ocean Mixing Using Seismic Oceanography.
M.S. Candidate, Dept. of Geol./Geophys., Univ. of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. W. Steven Holbrook

2005

Tracey Baldyga

Estimating the effects of land cover misclassification derived from remotely sensed imagery on distributed hydrologic models
Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Renewable Resources, Univ. of Wyoming.
Advisors: Dr. Scott Miller

Meagan Bayless

Biomass and carbon flux assessment and modeling for a chronosequence of an Artemisia tridentate (mountain big sagebrush) ecosystem in Wyoming
Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Botany, Univ. of Wyoming.
Advisors: Drs. Brent Ewers and Elise Pendall

Hannah Griscom

Land cover and hydrolic assessment of the Upper Luvuvhu & Shingwedzi Watersheds, South Africa: Steps towards integrated catchment management
M.S. Candidate, Dept. of Renewable Resources, Univ. of Wyoming.
Advisors: Dr. Scott Miller

Josef Pohl

Formalizing & Reasoning about trees, graphs, and purely functional data structures
Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Computer Science, Univ. of Wyoming.
Advisors: Dr. James Caldwell

2004

Jonathon Adelman

Quantifying Spatial Variability in Forest Function Along Environmental Gradients: Coupling Large and Small Scales Using Remote Sensing and Geostatistics
M.S. Candidate, Dept. of Botany, Univ. of Wyoming.
Advisors: Dr. Brent Ewers

Joshua Schwartz

Crystal Evolution at Slow-Spreading Mid-Ocean Ridges, Atlantis Bank, Southwest Indian Ridge
Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Geology & Geophysics, Univ. of Wyoming.
Advisors: Dr. Barbara John

Brian Uzpen

Spitzer Space Telescope Search for Circumstellar Disks Around Main-Sequence Stars
Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, Univ. of Wyoming.
Advisors: Dr. Chip Kobulnicky

2003

Christopher Borman

Biogeochemical Cycling of Iron and Manganese in Thermocide Aquatic Environments; A Link to the Prehistory of Microbial Evolution
Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Chemistry, University of Wyoming.
Advisors: Dr. Patrick Sullivan, Dr. Patricia Colberg
The existence of geochemical cycles is intimately wedded to the origin of life. Elemental speciation in a pure geochemical sense has provided the raw materials for the prebiotic structures necessary for the evolution of life. Key elements are the first row transition metals, most of which have been incorporated into the active sites of modern enzymes. This work will address two broad questions – what geochemical principles of elemental cycling affect microbial metabolism? And in turn- what aspects of microbial metabolism affects elemental cycling? These are crucial in the understanding of the conditions of the evolution of life on earth and potentially in the solar system, especially on Mars where sunlight, Iron and oxygen compounds are readily available. The goal of the work is to develop a model of energy and element flow that links the dominant species in an early environment.

Susan Frost

Decomposition of Images by Smoothness
Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Mathematics, University of Wyoming.
Advisor: Dr. Farad Jafari
There are many areas of science and engineering where the useful information in signals/images is precisely that which is identified by the edges. Some examples of signals/images where detection of edges and their properties is the main task include: satellite ELF imagery of the Earth, interferometer images of wings in wind-tunnel experiments, ultrasound images of the fetus in medical imaging, X-ray images in mammography, and continuous models of time series associated with the stock market. Currently, application-specific filters, such as ramp filters, are used to analyze these images and interpolative methods are employed to quantify the edges. The goal of this study is to develop a novel method to study piecewise continuous signals/images to quantify the edge density and size in these images.

Laura Hudson

Dendroclimatic reconstruction and stable isotope analysis using limber pine (Pinus flexilis): a pilot study to assess drought within the North Platte watershed of Wyoming
Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Botany, University of Wyoming.
Advisor: Dr. Elise Pendall
Global warming affects regional soil moisture availability, which ultimately affects range productivity and sustainability of livelihood in many areas of the world. The inherent scarcity of water in semi-arid regions can be exacerbated by frequent and persistent drought. Trying to project future climate change such as drought requires a glimpse into the past to look at long-term variability in precipitation. The need to reconstruct these drought patterns is particularly acute when considering the potential for continued global warming resulting in increased aridity. My project goals for this study are to develop a baseline record of drought using dendroclimatic reconstruction and stable carbon isotopic analysis on limber pine (Pinus flexilis) with the North Platte watershed. Using limber pine tree rings, I will produce a new master dendrochronology to assess drought patterns and produce a detailed analysis of the temporal and spatial variability of precipitation using stable carbon isotopes.

Daniel Kiminki

Uncovering Massive Close Binary Populations
M.S. Candidate, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, University of Wyoming.
Advisor: Dr. Henry Kobulnicky
Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) are the most energetic phenomenon in the universe and the subject of upcoming major NASA satellite programs. A leading theory in Gamma Ray Burst research is that these bursts are generated through the accretion of a lower mass star by a black hole or neutron star. Such a scenario can occur after the primary star in a massive binary system evolves into a neutron star or black hole. This project will measure the binary properties of many massive stars in search of massive close binaries, which are thought to be the progenitors of GRBs. Since the origin of GRBs is not well known, this project will produce a catalog detailing the frequencies and mass ratios of massive close binaries that will assist the theoretical GRB research.

Elena Miranda

Structural Evolution of Gabbroic Rocks, Atlantis Bank, Southwest Indian Ridge
Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Geology, University of Wyoming.
Advisor: Dr. Barbara John
Atlantis Bank, a paleo-inside-corner high, is a topographically anomalous, dome-shaped, faulted feature formed initially at the intersection of the ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR) and the Atlantis II Transform. I hypothesize that the oceanic detachment fault system of Atlantis Band initiated as s distributed ductile shear zone that, with time and increased displacement, localized into a discrete brittle fault surface. My objectives are to (1) interpret fabric development associated with the formation of an oceanic detachment fault system to infer a temperature-time history of the footwall rocks, and (2) interpret the process of strain localization to determine if fluid infiltration, grain size reduction, mineralogy and/or strain rate are the dominant deformation mechanisms.

2002

Joseph Bump

Small-scale Dynamics of Sea Ice in the Bering Sea: A Remote Sensing and Numerical Model Investigation
M.S. Candidate, Dept. of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming.
Advisor: Dr. James Lovvorn

Clark Cotton

Influence of Hibernation Opiates on Muscle Atrophy
M.S. Candidate, Dept. of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming.
Advisor: Dr. Hank Harlow

Timothy Trudel

Description and Dynamical interpretation of Radar Fine-lines in the Pre-convective Continental Boundary Layer
M.S. Candidate, Dept. of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Wyoming.
Advisor: Dr. Bart Geerts

2001

Ian Fairweather

Erosion and Uplift of the Himalaya: A Remote Sensing and Numerical Model Investigation
M.S. Candidate, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wyoming.
Advisor: Dr. Neil Humphrey
Current theories of mountain building processes suggest that crystal isostatic adjustments may cause peak elevations to rise as erosion removes mass from a mountain range, a theory currently being tested in the Annapurna region of the Himalayan Range. This project will investigate the role of glaciers in the region's erosion by using SPOT satellite imagery and by modeling erosion by glaciers in the Annapurna range. This well help determine the role that glacial erosion plays in the building of mountain belts and if there is an upper limit to the height of mountains.

Carol Fluckiger-Smedley

Acquisition of Genes for Low Temperature Photosynthesis
M.S. Candidate, Dept. of Botany, University of Wyoming. Advisor: Dr. Steve Herbert
Psychrophilic algae are capable of photosynthetic growth at temperature below 5°C. Research will acquire and study genes that are necessary for carbon assimilation, which is known to be compromised at low temperatures in many cold-sensitive plants. This research could eventually result in the genetic alteration of agricultural crops so they can continue to photosynthesize at low temperatures, reducing the loss of crops to cold and frost.

Mark Huber

Studying Variability in Intrinsically Faint Sources in the Faint Sky Variability Survey: Very Low-Mass Dwarfs at the Substellar Boundary and a Missing Population of Faint Cataclysmic Variables
Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, University of Wyoming. 
Advisor: Dr. Steve Howell, Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ (formerly at UW)
The project will study very low-mass dwarfs (VLMDs) and faint cataclysmic variable (CV) systems using the Faint Sky Variability Survey (FSVS) and data from other surveys. Using both spectroscopic and photometric follow-up observations, specific identifications will be made and key stellar parameters, such as color, variability, and distribution of intrinsically faint sources, will be measured, including the mechanisms for variability. The study of variability on VLMDs is of key importance to future NASA missions including highly precise interferometry and the search for extra-solar planets.

Creighton Litton

Carbon Cycling in Developing and Mature Post-fire Coniferous Forest Ecosystems
Ph. D. Candidate, Dept. of Botany, University of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Dennis Knight
This project will study the post-fire subalpine forest ecosystems in Yellowstone National Park to address the effects of natural disturbance, and the resulting variation in ecosystem structure, on carbon fluxes and storage in post-fire coniferous ecosystems. This will be the first study of the consequences of variability in community composition on above-and belowground carbon allocation in large wildland landscapes.

2000

John Gillham

Predicting Susceptibility of Rangelands to Invasion by Exotic Weed Species using GIS
Department of Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management, University of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Ann Hild

Mark Huber

A Continued Search for Faint Cataclysmic Variables and Further Study of Variability in Very Low-Mass Objects in the Faint Star Variability Survey
Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Steve Howell

Amy Parker-Williams

Using Several Scales of Remotely Sensed Data to Map and Monitor Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula L.), an Exotic Invasive Weed
Department of Botany, University of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Jane Beiswenger

Angelice Varca

Wyoming Teacher Survey on Use of NASA Materials in the Classroom
Natural Sciences Program, College of Education, University of Wyoming

1999

Garrace DeGroot

A Comparative Evaluation of Security Mechanisms for Collaborative Science Environments
Department of Computer Science, University of Wyoming. 
Advisor: Dr. Rex Gantenbein

Mark Huber

Investigations of Faint Cataclysmic Variables and Brown Dwarfs in the Faint Star Variability Survey
Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Wyoming. Advisor: Dr. Steve Howell

1998

Michael Bray

Development of Physiological Data Collection Systems for Understanding the Apparent Lack of Muscle Atrophy in Overwintering Black Bears
Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. J. Cupal

Pamela Reid

Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education, University of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Joseph Stepans

Jerome Winslow

Development of a Global Grassland Phenology Model Using Separate Climate Components Linked to a Hydrologic Budget
Department of Botany, University of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Ray Hunt

1997

Jennifer Cash

Computer Modeling of Emission Processes in the Accretion Streams of Magnetic Cataclysmic Variable Stars
Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Steve Howell

Casi Ergish

Photolytic Chemistry of Martian Soils: Understanding Oxygen Evolution in the Mars Lander Soil Probes
Department of Chemistry, University of Wyoming. 
Advisor: Dr. D. S. Bohle

Walter Fertig, Jr.

Gap Analysis of Plants in Wyoming
Department of Botany, University of Wyoming. 
Advisor: Dr. William Reiners

Matthew Germino

The Influence of Radiation Cooling and High Insolation on Plant Productivity & Reproduction: Implications for Climate and Land
Department of Botany, University of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. W. Smith

William Huffman

Trace Gas Uptake by Vapor Depositing Ice
Department of Chemistry, University of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Jeffrey Snider

Thomas Kalakay

Large Scale Magmatism & Crustal Deformation on Terrestrial Planets: A Comparison of the Pioneer Batholith of Montana with Large Coronae Structures on Venus
Department of Geology & Geophysics, University of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Barbara John

Jeffrey Sudol

Mid-Infrared Imaging of Circumstellar Dust of Mira Variable Stars
Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. H. M. Dyck

Robert Thompson

The Possible Departure from Spherical Symmetry of Highly Evolved Giant Stars
Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. H. M. Dyck

Kevin Day

Identification of Geologically Significant Cretaceous Meteorite Impact Sites using Microtektites (Spherules) deposited in the Cretaceous Niobrara Formation in the Western Interior of the U.S. 
Dept. of Geology & Geophysics, University of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Peter Huntoon

1996

Russell Ashenden

Turboprop Aircraft Performance Response to Various Environmental Conditions
Department of Atmospheric Science, University of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. J. Marwitz

Michael Bruch

Nano-radian to Milli-radian Pointing aboard the Space Shuttle
Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Jerry Hamann

David Ciardi

A Multi-wavelength Observational Study of Two Nearby Globular Filaments
Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Charles Woodward

Calli B. J. Daume

Comparison of Field and Satellite Spectra for Southeastern Wyoming Rangeland Soils
Department of Geology & Geophysics, University of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. L. Munn

Thomas James

Implementing Remote Data Acquisition & Stimulus Control Systems
Department of Computer Science, University of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. J. Cowles

Lane Middleton

Energy Balance Analysis for Estimation of Melt Water Runoff from Ptarmigan Glacier in the Alaska Coast Range
Department of Geography & Recreation, University of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. R. Marston

John O'Brien

Mutually Orthogonal Hexapod
Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. John McInroy

Gerard Van Belle

A Continued Interferometric Investigation into the Multiplicity of Young Stellar Objects
Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. H. M. Dyck

Alecia Wawrzynski

Utilization of Remote Imagery and Field Spectra for the Detection and Monitoring of Mining Sites
Department of Geology & Geophysics, University of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Ray Hunt

Kevin White

Fundamental Studies of the Chemistry of Quadricyclane, a High Energy Fuel Additive
Department of Chemistry, University of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Daniel Buttry

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