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
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
Postdocs and Researchers
Hima Hassenruck-Gudipati
President’s Postdoctoral Research Fellow
University of Minnesota
Ph.D. 2021 University of Texas at Austin
B.S. 2014 California Institute of Technology
himahg [at] umn [dot] edu
Jeffrey Kwang
NSF Postdoctoral Research Scientist
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
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
Josie Welsh
Research Scientist
University of Minnesota
B.S. 2022 University of Minnesota
Bed-load sediment sampler design
River-profile analysis along Lake Superior
welsh162 [at] umn [dot] edu
Graduate Students
Jabari Jones
Ph.D. Candidate
University of Minnesota
M.S. 2018 Utah State University
B.A. 2015 Carleton College
Geomorphic and hydrologic response to climate and land-use change; environmental justice; geoscience education
jone2176 [at] umn [dot] edu
Shanti Penprase
Ph.D. Candidate
B.A. 2016 Carleton College
Glacier–river interactions; Quaternary geochronology
penpr001 [at] umn [dot] edu
Carlie Cervantes de Blois
Ph.D. Candidate
University of Minnesota
History of Science, Technology, and Medicine
Advisor: Susan Jones
B.S. 2017 University of Wisconsin – Madison
History of river ecology and irrigation networks
Colonial–postcolonial science & technology
Agricultural development
cerva016 [at] umn [dot] edu
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
Tyler Fulghum
M.S. Student
University of Minnesota
B.S. 2021 Tennessee Technological University
Open-source multispectral pyranometer characterization
fulgh019 [at] umn [dot] edu
Jimmy Wood
M.S. Student
University of Minnesota
B.S. 2021 (Geology) University of Nebraska Omaha
B.A. 2021 (Physics) University of Nebraska Omaha
Fluvial geomorphology
wood1466 [at] umn [dot] edu
Xiating Chen
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 (Environmental Geography) University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Climatic Geomorphology, GPR
TBD [at] mnsu [dot] edu
Undergraduate Students
Peter Mitchell
Undergraduate Researcher
University of Minnesota
River-terrace mapping
Code development to characterize valleys and networks
mitc0560 [at] umn [dot] edu
Campbell Dunn
Undergraduate Researcher
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Code development for drainage and depression networks
Shallow seismic acquistion and analysis
Field augering, hammering, muscle-ing
cndunn [at] wisc [dot] edu
Lauren Claas
Undergraduate Researcher
University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire
Soils geomorphology
Ground-penetrating radar (GPR)
claasle1407 [at] uwec [dot] edu
Katia Ostermann
Undergraduate Researcher
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Drainage-basin evolution
Minnesota River valley
Katia.Ostermann [at] mnsu [dot] edu
Kacie Malone
Undergraduate Researcher
University of Minnesota
Solar-radiation sensor characterization
GIS
malon629 [at] umn [dot] edu
Abby Wilwerding
Undergraduate Researcher
University of Minnesota
Sediment core description
wilwe020 [at] umn [dot] edu
Taylor Jewell
Undergraduate Researcher
University of Minnesota
Historic sedimentation surveys
jewel091 [at] umn [dot] edu
Anna Gonzalez
Undergraduate Researcher
University of Minnesota
Watershed geomorphology
gonz0443 [at] umn [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
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
CICTERRA-CONICET and Argentine Antarctic Program, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba
Advisor: Jorge A. Strelin
Geologist, 2019, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba
Glacial geology, ice sheets, and sea level
matias.romero [at] unc [dot] edu [dot] ar
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. Eric Barefoot (2021–2022)
- Postdoctoral research scientist (UMN)
- Bedforms generated by large glacial outburst floods
- Sediment–morphodynamic interactions at tributary junctions
Dr. Fiona Clubb (2017)
- Predoctoral research scientist (UMN)
- River-terrace analysis in the upper Mississippi valley
- Now: Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Durham University
Bobby Schulz (2016–2018)
- Open-source instrumentation development (UMN)
- For more information, see “Graduate Students”
Chad Sandell (2016–2018)
- Research specialist: Lab engineer (UMN)
- Maker of many things
- Now: Design Engineer, Ironwood Electronics
Graduate Students
Max van Wyk de Vries (2018–2022)
PhD, 2022 (UMN; co-advised with Emi Ito)
- Remote sensing for change detection
- Paleolimnology and ice-contact lakes
- Natural hazards
- Glaciology
- Now: Postdoctoral Research Scientist, University of Liverpool
Bobby Schulz (2018–2021)
MS, 2021 (UMN)
- Development of a series of open-source data loggers
- Since 2019: Hardware development lead for GEMS IoT
Owen Lott (2019–2021)
- 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)
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)
- 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)
- MS, 2020 (Minnesota State)
- Single-Grain Optical Stimulated Luminescence Dating at Cambria Pit, Minnesota River Valley, Minnesota, USA
- Now: Project Manager at SunShare
Kerry Callaghan (2015–2020)
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)
- 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)
- 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)
- MS, 2018 (UMN)
- Experimental fluvial geomorphology
- Landslide mapping and analysis
- Now: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England Division
Shane Loeffler (2016–2018)
- 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)
- MS, 2018 (Minnesota State; Biology)
- Predicting Invasive Carp Habitat Suitability in the Minnesota River Basin, Minnesota.
Zach Hilgendorf (2015–2018)
- 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: PhD Student, Arizona State University
Devon Libby (2014–2018)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- MS, 2016 (Minnesota State)
- Floodplain Inundation Mapping: An Evaluation of Geospatial Tools on the Minnesota River, MN.
- Now: John Wood Group PLC
Undergraduate Students
Jesse Schewe (2020–2022)
- 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
- Now: Staff Professional at Antea Group USA
Ivy Glade (2021)
- Undergraduate student researcher (Minnesota State)
- Climate and fluvial system response post-LGM
- Now: Graduate student in Atmospheric Sciences (Colorado State)
Evan Grove (2018–2019)
- Undergraduate student researcher (UMN)
- Design of “thermal stake” for heat-flow and water-flux measurements
- Now: Enginner at Turck USA
Suyash Handa (2018)
- 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)
- Visiting undergraduate researcher (Carleton College)
- Mapping global paleolakes
Keenen Francois-King (2017)
- Undergraduate student researcher (UMN)
- GPS to measure snow-water equivalent
Libby Witte (2016–2017)
- Undergraduate student researcher (UMN)
- Experimental fluvial geomorphology
- Now: Geologist with Corvis Gold (Nevada)
Ethan Kurak (2016–2018)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- Visiting doctoral student (Universität Potsdam)
- Research with our group: Fluvial terrace formation at SAFL
- Now: Lecturer at the Universität Potsdam