Faculty
Andy Wickert
Associate Professor
University of Minnesota
Global Faculty, Universität zu Köln
Humboldt Fellow 2022–2024 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
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
Andreas Ruby
Ph.D. Candidate
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
Uma Ashrani
Ph.D. Candidate
University of Minnesota
B.A. 2024 Boston University
River discharge, flooding, wetlands
ashra061 [at] umn [dot] edu
Emma Trettin
M.S. Student
Minnesota State University, Mankato
B.S. 2023 University of Wisconsin, La Crosse
Fluvial geomorphology, stream-channel dynamics
emma.trettin [at] mnsu [dot] edu
David Pruder
M.S. Student
Minnesota State University, Mankato
B.S. 2026 Michigan State University
Incision of the St. Croix River
david [dot] pruder [at] mnsu [dot] edu
Ella Gould
M.S. Student
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire
River surveys, Rapidan Dam and the Blue Earth River
ella [dot] gould [at] mnsu [dot] edu
Neil Hurner
M.S. Student
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Undergraduate: Minnesota State University, Mankato
Minnesota River valley terraces, GPR, geochronology
neil [dot] hurner [at] mnsu [dot] edu
Tenzin Choegyal
M.S. Student
University of Minnesota
Felix Chung-Kai Wang
Ph.D. Student
University of Minnesota
M.S. 2025 National Cheng Kung University
B.S. 2023 Feng Chia University
Braided rivers, experimental geomorphology
wan03665 [at] umn [dot] edu
Undergraduate Students
Mei Abraham
Undergraduate Researcher
University of Minnesota
Channel and floodplain geomorphology
Soil and carbon dynamics
abrah760 [at] umn [dot] edu
Leah Olson
Undergraduate Researcher
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Rapidan Dam and the Blue Earth River
leah [dot] olson [dot] 2 [at] mnsu [dot] edu
Taozhu Zhou
Undergraduate Researcher
University of Minnesota
Volcanology
Visiting, Affiliated, and Key Collaborating Scientists
Eric Barefoot
Assistant Professor
University of California, Riverside
NSF Postdoc 2022–2024 Indiana University
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
Fulbright U.S. Scholar (2020–2021 award; August–December 2021), 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
Assistant Professor
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
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
Jeffrey Kwang
Physical Scientist in Water Resources
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
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
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. Justin Nghiem (2025–2026, UMN)
Postdoctoral research scientist (co-advised with Judy Yang)
- Sediment and floodplain dynamics
- Now: Postdoctoral researcher, University of California, Santa Barbara
Dr. Jessica Marggraf (2024–2026, UMN)
Postdoctoral research scientist
- Bedrock-river evolution
- Now: Bundesanstalt für Wasserbau
Dr. Khilav Majmudar (2025–2026, UMN)
Volunteer research scientist
- Seismic measurements of turbulence and sediment transport
- Now: Limited Term Assistant Professor of Physics, Kennesaw State University
Viet Bui (2024)
Research intern
- Solar-radiation measurements using photodiodes
- Field support
Dr. Jeffrey Kwang (2022–2024, UMN)
NSF Postdoctoral research fellow
- Landscape memory with superimposed drainage
- Landscape-evolution modeling
- Geoscientific visualization
- Now: Physical Scientist in Water Resources, USGS
Dr. Hima Hassenruck-Gudipati (2021–2023, UMN)
President’s Postdoctoral research scientist
- Sedimentation in wild-rice lakes
- Now: Assistant Professor, Southern Oregon University
Dr. Eric Barefoot (2021–2022, UMN)
Postdoctoral research scientist
- Bedforms generated by large glacial outburst floods
- Sediment–morphodynamic interactions at tributary junctions
- Now: Assistant Professor, University of California, Riverside
Dr. Fiona Clubb (2018, UMN)
NCED Postdoctoral Fellow
- River-terrace analysis in the upper Mississippi valley
- Now: Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Durham University
Bobby Schulz (2016–2018, UMN)
Research engineer
- 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: Industrial mechanical engineer, Ironwood Electronics
Graduate Students
Jayda Rowen (2023–2026, MNSU Mankato)
MS 2026
- Camas Prairie geomorphology and glacial Lake Missoula drainage
Naomi Schulberg (2023–2025, UMN)
PhD Student (Advisor: Prof. Daniel Griffin)
- Co-advisee for first two years of PhD program
- Dendroclimatology
Xiating Chen (2020–2025, UMN)
PhD 2025 (Advisor: Prof. Xue Feng)
- Collaboration in instrumentation for ecohydrology
- Urban stormwater and hydrology
Madie Laaksonen (2023–2025, MNSU Mankato)
MS 2025
- Deglacial evolution of the Brule Spillway and Lake Superior
- Quaternary geology and geomorphology
Hunter Delikowski (2022–2024, MNSU Mankato)
MS 2024
- Geomorphic evolution of the St. Croix River valley
- Quaternary geochronology
Abi Fischer (2022–2024, MNSU Mankato)
MS 2024
- Geomorphology of glacial outburst floods
- Quaternary geochronology
Shanti Penprase (2018–2024, UMN)
PhD 2024
- Glacier–river interactions and landscape change
- Quaternary geochronology
- Now Guarini Postdoctoral Fellow, Dartmouth College
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)
Graduate student
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, 2023–2024 UMN)
MS, 2021 (UMN)
- Development of a series of open-source data loggers
- 2019–2024: Hardware development lead for GEMS IoT
- Now: Senior Hardware Engineer, Resideo Technologies
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: Assistant Professor, University of Illinois Chicago
Melissa Kohout (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: Software Engineer, CarbonPlan
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: Associate Environmental Analyst, Seattle Parks and Recreation
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
Elise Palecek (2026, UMN)
- Bedrock-river erosion (with Dr. Jessica Marggraf)
Henry England (2024–2026, MNSU Mankato)
- Geoarcheology, anthropogenic geomorphology
- Soil science and soil magnetism
Gabe Senf (2024–2025, MNSU Mankato)
- Aeolian processes and paleoenvironmental change
- Surface water and fluvial geomorphology
Alida Johnson (2025, UMN)
- Bedrock erosion
- Field work and image-based fracture mapping
Abby Wilwerding (2023–2024, UMN)
- Deglacial slackwater deposits
- Sediment-core description
Jayva Jordan (2023–2024, UMN)
- Bedrock erosion
- Paleolakes
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
Samuel Fleagle (2018, UMN)
- Summer research hire
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
Jessica Scholz (2016, UMN)
- Undergraduate student researcher (UMN; UROP, Spring 2016)
- River terraces
Visiting, Affiliated, and Key Collaborating Scientists
Aaron Hurst (2026, UMN)
- Visitor (University of Colorado Boulder)
- Research with our group: Mechanistic modeling of bedrock-river incision and data–model integration, North Shore of Lake Superior
Jonas Eschenfelder (2024–2025, UMN)
- Visitor (Simon Fraser University)
- Research with our group: Permafrost instrumentation
Ru Wang (2024–2025, UMN)
- Visitor (University of Leeds)
- Research with our group: Experimental sedimentology at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory
David Polashenski (2020, UMN)
- Visitor (University of Alaska Fairbanks)
- Research with our group: Hydrological instrumentation
Modeus Abdelnaby (2019, UMN)
- Visitor (Technische Hochschule Lübeck)
- Research with our group: Hydrological instrumentation
Katherine Linninger (2018–2019, UMN)
- Visitor (University of Colorado Boulder)
- Research with our group: Geomorphology, carbon storage, and field instrumentation
Keith Rapp (2018–2019, UMN)
- Visitor (Pinnacle Engineering)
- Research with our group: Pressure transducers for groundwater and surface-water remediation
Mohammad Paknia (2018–2019, UMN)
- Visitor (co-hosted with the Institute for Rock Magnetism)
- Research with our group: Rock magnetism
Evan Gowan (2018, UMN)
- Visitor (Alfred-Wegener-Institut)
- Research with our group: North American deglaciation and glacial isostatic adjustment
Dr. Beth Fisher (2017–2019, UMN)
- Friendly Neighborhood Scientist (UMN)
- Research with our group: Environmental instrumentation
- Now: Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry and Geology, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Lauren Somers (2017, UMN)
- Visitor (McGill University)
- Research with our group: Hydrological modeling for water resources in the Andes
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