People

Faculty

Andy Wickert

Associate Professor
University of Minnesota
Alexander von Humboldt Fellow, GFZ Potsdam
Postdoc 2014–2015 Universität Potsdam
Ph.D. 2014 University of Colorado Boulder
S.B. 2008 Massachusetts Institute of Technology
awickert [at] umn [dot] edu

About

Phil Larson

Professor
Director of Earth Science Programs
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Ph.D. 2013 Arizona State University
M.A. 2011 Arizona State University
B.S. 2008 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
phillip.larson [at] mnsu [dot] edu

About

Postdocs, Researchers, and Staff

Jessica Marggraf

Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Doctorate 2024 Université Claude-Bernard-Lyon-I
M.S. 2020 Université de Strasbourg
B.S. 2018 Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg im Breisgau
Bedrock-river evolution
jmarggra [at] umn [dot] edu

Bobby Schulz

Research Engineer
G.E.M.S. Agroinformatics
M.S. 2021 University of Minnesota
B.S. 2017 University of Minnesota
Environmental instrumentation
schu3119 [at] umn [dot] edu

Shanti Penprase

Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Dartmouth College
Through Oct. 2024: Research Scientist, UMN
Ph.D. 2024 University of Minnesota
B.A. 2016 Carleton College
Quaternary environments & landscape change
penpr001 [at] umn [dot] edu

Homepage

Graduate Students

Nilay İşcen

Ph.D. Candidate
University of Minnesota
M.S. 2018 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
M.S. 2015 Middle East Technical University
B.S. 2011 Middle East Technical University
Alluvial rivers and the gravel–sand transition
iscen001 [at] umn [dot] edu

Xiating Chen

Collaborating Ph.D. Candidate
University of Minnesota
Civil, Environmental, and Geo-engineering
Advisor: Xue Feng
B.S.E. 2017 Duke University
Ecohydrology of urban green infrastructure
Open-source environmental sensing system for urban trees
chen7090 [at] umn [dot] edu

Andreas Ruby

Ph.D. Student
GFZ Potsdam
Co-advised by Wickert with primary advisor Taylor Schildgen (GyroSCoPe project)
M.Sc. 2021: Universität Trier
Teaching Degree 2019: Universität Tübingen
Fluvial geomorphology, digital terrain analysis, cosmogenic nuclides
andreas [dot] ruby [at] gfz-potsdam [dot] de

Hunter Delikowski

M.S. Student
Minnesota State University, Mankato
B.A. 2021 (Geology) University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
B.A. 2021 (Environmental Geography) University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Fluvial geomorphology, Quaternary geology
hunter.delikowski [at] mnsu [dot] edu

Abi Fischer

M.S. Student
Minnesota State University, Mankato
B.A. 2022 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Climatic Geomorphology, GPR
abigail.fischer [at] mnsu [dot] edu

Madie Laaksonen

M.S. Student
Minnesota State University, Mankato
B.S. 2022 (Geology) St. Norbert College
Fluvial Geomorphology, Quaternary Geology
madeline.laaksonen [at] mnsu [dot] edu

Naomi Schulberg

Ph.D. Student
University of Minnesota
Co-advised by Wickert with primary advisor Dan Griffin
B.S. 2023 Cornell University
Dendroclimatology
schu4841 [at] umn [dot] edu

Jayda Rowen

M.S. Student
Minnesota State University, Mankato
B.S. 2023 (Earth Science) Minnesota State University, Mankato
Geomorphology/Landscape Evolution, Quaternary Geology
jayda.rowen [at] mnsu [dot] edu

Uma Ashrani

Ph.D. Student
University of Minnesota
B.A. 2024 Boston University
River discharge, flooding, wetlands
ashra061 [at] umn [dot] edu

Undergraduate Students

Abby Wilwerding

Undergraduate Researcher
University of Minnesota
Sediment core description
wilwe020 [at] umn [dot] edu

Jayva Jordan

Undergraduate Researcher
University of Minnesota
Bedrock erosion
Paleolakes
jorda900 [at] umn [dot] edu

Gabe Senf

Undergraduate Researcher
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Aeolian processes/Paleoenvironmental Change
Surface water/Fluvial geomorphology
gabriel [dot] senf [at] mnsu [dot] edu

Visiting, Affiliated, and Key Collaborating Scientists

Eric Barefoot

NSF Postdoctoral Research Scientist
University of Indiana
Postdoc 2021–2022 University of Minnesota
Ph.D. 2021 Rice University
B.S. 2016 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
barefoot [at] umn [dot] edu

Homepage

Richard Barnes

Collaborating Research Scientist Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Ph.D. 2020, Energy Research Group, University of California, Berkeley M.S. 2019, Computer Science, University of California Berkeley M.S. 2015, Ecology, University of Minnesota B.S. 2011, Physics, University of Minnesota B.A. 2010, Philosophy, University of Minnesota Github

Homepage Elegant solutions to computational problems richard.barnes [at] berkeley [dot] edu

Andrea Prichard

Visiting Research Scientist
2020–2022 Fulbright Scholar, Batipa Field Institute, Universidad Tecnológica Oteima, Panamá
M.S. 2012 Universidad Mayor de San Simón
M.A. 2011 University of Arizona
B.A. 2004 Oberlin College
GIS and water resources

Matías Romero

Collaborating Ph.D. Student
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Advisor: Shaun Marcott
Geologist, 2019, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba
Glacial geology, ice sheets, and sea level
matias.romero [at] unc [dot] edu [dot] ar

Zach Hilgendorf

Visiting Assistant Professor
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Post-Doctoral Researcher
University of California, Santa Barbara
Ph.D. 2022 Arizona State University
M.S. 2018 Minnesota State University-Mankato
B.S. 2015 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
hilgenzt [at] uwec [dot] edu

Hima Hassenruck-Gudipati

Postdoctoral Research Scientist
University of Minnesota
President’s Postdoc, University of Minnesota, 2021–2023
Ph.D. 2021 University of Texas at Austin
B.S. 2014 California Institute of Technology
himahg [at] umn [dot] edu

Homepage

Jeffrey Kwang

Research Scientist
U.S. Geological Survey
NSF Postdoc 2022–2024 University of Minnesota
Postdoc 2019–2022 University of Massachusetts
Ph.D. 2019 University of Illinois
M.S. 2016 University of Illinois
B.S. 2013 Johns Hopkins University
jeffskwang [at] gmail [dot] com

Homepage

Dan Griffin

Associate Professor
University of Minnesota
NOAA CGC Postdoc 2013–2014 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Ph.D. 2013 University of Arizona
M.A. University of Arkansas
B.S. University of Arkansas
griffin9 [at] umn [dot] edu

Homepage

The animals behind the scientists

Fjord Catters Wickert

Tuxedo Stylist
Invasive Species Management
B.A.C. 2019
Testing classical mechanics

Zion Doggo Larson

Anxiety-driven thrill-seeker
Clean Up Specialist, Scavanging Expert
D.O.B. 2013
Testing our anxiety levels

Former Group Members

Postdocs and Researchers

Dr. Jeffrey Kwang (2022–2024, UMN)

• NSF Postdoctoral research fellow
• Landscape memory with superimposed drainage
• Landscape-evolution modeling
• Geoscientific visualization
• Now: Research Scientist, USGS

Dr. Hima Hassenruck-Gudipati (2021–2023, UMN)

• President’s Postdoctoral research scientist
• Sedimentation in wild-rice lakes
• Now: Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Ng Group, University of Minnesota

Dr. Eric Barefoot (2021–2022, UMN)

• Postdoctoral research scientist
• Bedforms generated by large glacial outburst floods
• Sediment–morphodynamic interactions at tributary junctions
• Now: NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Indiana

Dr. Fiona Clubb (2017, UMN)

• Predoctoral research scientist
• River-terrace analysis in the upper Mississippi valley
• Now: Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Durham University

Bobby Schulz (2016–2018, UMN)

• Open-source instrumentation development
• For more information, see “Postdocs, Researchers, and Staff”

Chad Sandell (2016–2018, UMN)

• Research specialist: Lab engineer
• Maker of many things
• Now: Design Engineer, Ironwood Electronics

Graduate Students

Jimmy Wood (2021–2023, UMN)

MS 2023

• Historical geomorphic change of the Whitewater River valley
• Human–landscape interactions
• Now SIP Researcher at Yosemite National Park

Tyler Fulghum (2021–2023, UMN)

MS Student

• Image analysis for flow velocities
• Solar-radiation measurement and sensor characterization

Dr. Jabari Jones (2018–2023, UMN)

PhD, 2023 (UMN)

• Geomorphic and hydrologic response to climate and land-use change
• Environmental justice
• Geoscience education
• Now: Assistant Professor, Bowdoin College

Carlie Cervantes de Blois (2022, UMN)

• Collaborating Ph.D. candidate
• Ph.D. Candidate, History of Science, Technology, and Medicine
• Environmental history and human impact on rivers

Dr. Max van Wyk de Vries (2018–2022, UMN)

PhD, 2022 (UMN; co-advised with Emi Ito)

• Remote sensing for change detection
• Paleolimnology and ice-contact lakes
• Natural hazards
• Glaciology
• Now: Assistant Professor, University of Cambridge

Bobby Schulz (2018–2021, UMN)

MS, 2021 (UMN)

• Development of a series of open-source data loggers
• Since 2019: Hardware development lead for GEMS IoT

Owen Lott (2019–2021, MNSU Mankato)

• MS, 2021 (Minnesota State; co-advised with Bryce Hoppie)
• Comparative Analysis of Water Quality Monitoring Procedures in Small Minnesota Lake Systems, Bass Lake Watershed, South-Central Minnesota

Leah Nelson (2018–2021, UMN)

MS, 2021 (UMN; co-advised with primary advisor Crystal Ng)

• Integrated Water Resources on two volcanoes in Ecuador
• Now: Staff Scientist, SS Papadopulos & Associates

Ricky Mataitis (2018–2020, MNSU Mankato)

• MS, 2020 (Minnesota State)
• Distribution, Geomorphology and Significance of Sand Stringers in west-central Wisconsin and southern Minnesota, USA.
• Now: Jacobs Engineering

Kira Kuehl (2017–2020, MNSU Mankato)

• MS, 2020 (Minnesota State)
• Single-Grain Optical Stimulated Luminescence Dating at Cambria Pit, Minnesota River Valley, Minnesota, USA
• Now: Project Manager at SunShare

Dr. Kerry Callaghan (2015–2020, UMN)

PhD, 2020 (UMN)

• Coupled groundwater–surface-water modeling on a global scale
• Efficient algorithms to analyze depressions in landscapes and move water through them
• Paleoclimate
• Now: Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Columbia/LDEO, Advisor: Jacky Austermann

Melissa Swanson (2017–2019, MNSU Mankato)

• MS, 2019 (Minnesota State)
• Mass Wasting Investigation and Assessment in the Midwest: Case Study of the Minnesota River Valley, New Ulm to St. Peter, Minnesota, USA
• Now: Sentera

Jason Millett (2017–2019, MNSU Mankato)

• MS, 2019 (Minnesota State)
• Cliff-Top Dunes in the Lower Chippewa River Valley of West-Central Wisconsin
• Now: National Geospatial Intelligence Agency

Olivia Beaulieu (2016–2018, UMN)

• MS, 2018 (UMN)
• Experimental fluvial geomorphology
• Landslide mapping and analysis
• Now: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England Division

Shane Loeffler (2016–2018, UMN)

• MS, 2018 (UMN; co-advised with Amy Myrbo)
• B.S. 2015 University of Minnesota Duluth
• Flyover Country
• Now: Cartographer and Web Developer, Polar Geospatial Center

Melissa Oubre (2015–2018, MNSU Mankato)

• MS, 2018 (Minnesota State; Biology)
• Predicting Invasive Carp Habitat Suitability in the Minnesota River Basin, Minnesota.

Dr. Zach Hilgendorf (2015–2018, MNSU Mankato)

• MS, 2018 (Minnesota State; co-advised with Bryce Hoppie)
• The Efficacy of Best Management Practices on Peak Discharge and Contaminant Loads in Agricultural Drainage Systems, Blue Earth River Watershed, South-Central Minnesota, USA.
• Now: [Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire)

Devon Libby (2014–2018, MNSU Mankato)

• MS, 2018 (Minnesota State)
• Assessing Historical Planform Channel Change in an Altered Watershed with Quantification of Error and Uncertinaty Present in a GIS/Aerial Photograph-based Analysis; Case Study: Minnesota River, Minnesota, USA.
• Now: Sentera

Vinson Williams (2015–2017, MNSU Mankato)

• MS, 2017 (Minnesota State)
• A Geospatial Approach to Assessing I/I in Wastewater Infrastructure: Case Study of Minneapolis/St Paul, MN.
• Now: Barr Engineering

Rachel McLaughlin (2015–2017, UMN)

• MS, 2017 (co-advised with primary advisor Crystal Ng)
• Hydrology and water resources on Chimborazo Volcano, Ecuador
• Now: Staff Hydrogeologist - PES Environmental, Inc.

Carson Smith (2013–2016, MNSU Mankato)

• MS, 2016 (Minnesota State)
• Floodplain Inundation Mapping: An Evaluation of Geospatial Tools on the Minnesota River, MN.
• Now: John Wood Group PLC

Undergraduate Students

Katia Ostermann (2022–2023, MNSU Mankato)

• Drainage-basin evolution
• Minnesota River valley

Anna Gonzalez (2022–2023, UMN)

• GIS and grain-size data

Taylor Jewell (2022–2023, UMN)

• Historic sedimentation surveys

Lauren Claas (2022–2023, UWEC)

• Soils geomorphology
• Ground-penetrating radar (GPR)
• Historic sedimentation surveys

Kacie Malone (2022, UMN)

• Solar-radiation sensor characterization

Campbell Dunn (2021–2023, UW–Madison)

• Code development for drainage and depression networks
• Shallow seismic acquistion and analysis
• Field augering, hammering, muscle-ing
• Now: MS Student in Glaciology, University of Wisconsin–Madison

Peter Mitchell (2020–2023, UMN)

• River-terrace mapping
• Code development to characterize valleys and networks
• Evolution of the Zumbro River valley

Ivy Glade (2021, MNSU Mankato)

• Undergraduate student researcher (Minnesota State)
• Climate and fluvial system response post-LGM
• Now: Graduate student in Atmospheric Sciences (Colorado State)

Jesse Schewe (2020–2022, 2023–2024 UMN)

• Undergraduate student researcher (UMN, work with both Wickert and Larson)
• Geomorphic evolution and LiDAR topography of the St. Croix River valley
• Field small-engine specialist and all-around scientist
• Lab manager and coordinator (2024)

Josie Welsh (2019–2023, UMN)

• Bed-load sediment sampler design
• River-profile analysis along Lake Superior
• GIS programming for river-network analysis
• Now: Graduate student in Geography (University of Colorado Boulder)

Evan Grove (2018–2019, UMN)

• Undergraduate student researcher (UMN)
• Design of “thermal stake” for heat-flow and water-flux measurements
• Now: Enginner at Turck USA

Suyash Handa (2018, Colgate/Columbia)

• Visiting undergraduate researcher (Colgate College)
• MEMS accelerometers and geophones for low-cost seismometers
• Now: Joint physics (Colgate) and electrical engineering (Columbia) undergraduate student

Lauren Michael (2017, Carleton)

• Visiting undergraduate researcher (Carleton College)
• Mapping global paleolakes

Keenen Francois-King (2017, UMN)

• Undergraduate student researcher (UMN)
• GPS to measure snow-water equivalent

Libby Witte (2016–2017, UMN)

• Undergraduate student researcher (UMN)
• Experimental fluvial geomorphology
• Now: Geologist with Corvis Gold (Nevada)

Ethan Kurak (2016–2018, UMN)

• M.S., 2021, Lehigh University
• Undergraduate student researcher (UMN)
• River terraces
• Now: Minnesota Geological Survey

Visiting, Affiliated, and Key Collaborating Scientists

Dr. Beth Fisher (2017–2019, UMN)

• Friendly Neighborhood Scientist (UMN)
• Research with our group: Environmental instrumentation
• Now: Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry and Geology, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Dr. Sara Savi (2015, UMN)

• Visiting postdoctoral research scientist from (Universität Potsdam)
• Research with our group: Alluvial fans and tributary interactions at SAFL
• Now: Postdoctoral research scientist at the Universität Potsdam

Dr. Stefanie Tofelde (2015, UMN)

• Visiting doctoral student (Universität Potsdam)
• Research with our group: Fluvial terrace formation at SAFL
• Now: Lecturer at the Universität Potsdam