{"id":19,"date":"2020-07-15T18:43:17","date_gmt":"2020-07-15T18:43:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.tntech.edu\/lmichel\/?page_id=19"},"modified":"2025-07-04T16:52:25","modified_gmt":"2025-07-04T16:52:25","slug":"members","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.tntech.edu\/lmichel\/members\/","title":{"rendered":"Members"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Dr. Lauren Michel<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Associate Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Tennessee Tech University<\/p>\n\n\n\n

contact: lmichel [at] tntech.edu<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B.S., Geology from The George Washington University, M.S., Geosciences from Southern Methodist University, Ph.D., Geosciences from Baylor University<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Current and Past Lab Members<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Mysti Stotts<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B.S., Geosciences with a conc. in Geology, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mysti’s senior thesis is analyzing the stable isotope values from phyllosilicates in the Carboniferous Pennington Formation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Maggie Hobbs<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B.S., Geosciences with a conc. in Geology, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maggie’s senior thesis is looking at insect damage from the Cenozoic Claiborne Group in Tennessee. Maggie is focusing on damage from the Lampkin Mine Site, comparing it to the damage E found in the Ray Mine Site<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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E Vigil<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B.S., Geosciences with a conc. in Geology, B.S. Biology with a conc. in zoology, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

E’s senior thesis is looking at insect damage from the Cenozoic Claiborne Group from Tennessee. E is focusing on damage types and functional feeding groups from the Ray Mine Site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

currently: Paleontologist in the Parks<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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D.J. Wharton<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B.S., Geosciences with a conc. in Geology, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DJ’s senior thesis is a petrographic study the different generations of carbonate cements from paleosol carbonate nodules from the Carboniferous Pennington Formation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

currently:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Kat Baker (nee Hawkins)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B.S., Geosciences with a conc. in Geology, expected 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kat’s senior thesis is a micromorphological study of thin sections from paleosol’s from the Carboniferous Maccrady Formation. Kat is documenting different types of burrowing structures seen in thin section. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

currently:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Ben Pavlic<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B.S., Geosciences with a conc. in Geology, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ben helped with the excavation of the Foster Rock Shelter site. He used micromorphology to examine land use within the cave system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently: Project Development Analyst at City of Indianapolis<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Jackie Nix (nee Kreeger)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B.S., Geosciences with a conc. in Geology, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jackie gathered stable isotope values for phyllosilicates from the Kiahera Formation on Rusinga Island, Lake Victoria. Her senior thesis was generously supported by a Creative Inquiry Summer Experience (CISE) Grant from Tennessee Tech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently: Montrose<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Gabi Burke<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B.S., Geosciences with a conc. in Geology, expected 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gabi researched effective communication strategy’s for climate change information to the general public. They are now working with Dr. Asante on a senior thesis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Benjamin (Ben) Holladay<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B.S., Geosciences with a conc. in Geology, 2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ben’s senior thesis is determining the clay mineralogy of paleosol matrix from the Carboniferous Maccrady Formation. This research in in collaboration with the Smithsonian Museum of Nature and Washington & Lee University. Ben is an Honors Student in the Department of Earth Sciences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

currently: Field Geologist at Terracon<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Sydney Knight <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

B.A. Fine Art, 2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sydney is working on creating an education board game about how Pollen is used in paleoclimate reconstruction. This project is co-directed with Dr. Steve Anton in Mechanical Engineering and Dr. George Chiteyo in Curriculum & Instruction. Her research has been supported by a URECA (Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry) Grant from Tennessee Tech. She is an Honors Student in the College of Fine Arts, majoring in Graphic Design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dillon Preston<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B.S., Geosciences with a conc. in Geology, 2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dillon’s senior thesis is determining the paleoclimate using paleosol from the Chinle Formation of Colorado. His research involves components of field work, clay mineralogy and micro morphology. Dillon’s research has been supported by a CISE grant from Tennessee Tech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Salem Sullivan<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(right in photo) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

co-directed with Dr. David Beck<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B.S., Biology, 2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Salem is studying how temperature affects decomposition rates and styles for rabbits. Her research is funded by a Creative Inquiry Summer Experience (CISE) grant from Tennessee Tech. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently: Graduate student at Duke University<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Heather Vineyard<\/p>\n\n\n\n

co-advised with H. Wayne Leimer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B.S., Geoscience with a conc. in Geology, 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heather’s senior thesis is to determine the clay mineralogy of the paleosol matrix for the Kiahera Formation, Rusinga Island Kenya. Heather is determining the mineralogy for both the <0.2\u00b5m and <0.02\u00b5m e.s.d. size fraction. She will use this information to determine the suitability of the samples for stable isotope analysis of the paleosol matrix. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently: Collections Specialist, Smithsonian Institution<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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M. Jace Bolix<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B.S., Geosciences with a conc. in Geology, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reconstructing the Late Mississippian Paleoclimate: Stratigraphy and XRD Analysis of the Pennington Formation, Sparta, Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

field assistants : Dillon Preston and Riley Grecol<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Austin Mundy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B.S., Geosciences with a conc. in Geology, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dendrochronological Study of Hemlock (Tsuga Canadensis)<\/em> from the Campground at Frozen Head State Park, Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Network Threat Discovery Analyst, Leidos<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Kimberly Cheng<\/p>\n\n\n\n

middle with her field crew on Rusinga<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B.S., Geosciences with a conc. in Geology, 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using Fossilized Evidence to Reconstruct the Past on Rusinga Island, Kenya<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Hunter Summers (co-advised with H. Wayne Leimer) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

B.S., Geosciences with a conc. in Geology, 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clay Mineral Analysis through X-Ray Diffraction of Paleosols in the Kiahera Formation, Rusinga Island, Kenya <\/p>\n\n\n\n

currently: Environmental Engineer at Nucor Steel<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rachel Chan<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B.S., Biochemistry with a double minor in Biology and Geosciences, 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reconstructing paleo-PCO2<\/sub> from the Perms-Carboniferous Abo and Bursum formations, New Mexico<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently: Ranger and Scientist working with public lands<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Kayla Hillis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B.S., Geosciences with a conc in Geology, in Cursu Honorum, Magna Cum Laude, 2018<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paleoclimate reconstruction from pedogenic carbonate from the early Miocene Wayando Formation, Mfangano Island, Lake Victoria, Kenya and the impact on early ape evolution<\/p>\n\n\n\n

currently: Staff Geologists at Barge Design Solutions, Inc.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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R. Morgan Wright<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B.S., Geology with a conc. in Environmental Geology, 2018<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dendrochronological Study of Hemlock (Tsuga Canadensis) <\/em>from Window Cliffs and Frozen Head State Parks, Tennessee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

currently at: Grower’s Solution<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Lab Mascot<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Kate the Great<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kate is the Paleoclimate Reconstructions from Paleosols (PREP) Lab Mascot. She loves being outside and is interested in stable isotope and XRD analysis. She thinks soils and paleosols are pretty fun.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dr. Lauren Michel Associate Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Tennessee Tech University contact: lmichel [at] tntech.edu B.S., Geology from The George Washington University, M.S., Geosciences from Southern Methodist University, Ph.D., Geosciences from Baylor University Current and Past Lab Members Mysti Stotts B.S., Geosciences with a conc. in Geology, 2025 Mysti’s senior thesis … <\/p>\n

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