Current Members
Bill Hockaday – Associate Professor
PhD Analytical Chemistry 2006, Ohio State University – with Dr. Patrick Hatcher
Postdoc, Earth Science 2006-2010, Rice University – with Dr. Caroline Masiello
Courses:
Organic Geochemistry (GEO5322), Global Biogeochemical Cycles (GEO4322), Grant Writing (GEO522), The World Oceans (GEO1402)
University Service:
Graduate Program Director, The Institute for Ecological, Earth & Environmental Sciences
University Research Committee
Zhao Wang – PhD Candidate, Geology, 2017 – present
Dissertation topic: Leaf-level molecular markers of water, light, and thermal stress
MSc 2016 – Petroleum Geochemistry, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK – with Dr. Martin Jones
BEng 2013 – Petroleum Transport and Storage Engineering, Xi’An University, China
Burke Leonce – PhD Candidate, Geology, 2018 – present
Dissertation topic: Structure-reactivity mechanisms of organic matter sorption and phototransformation in aqueous environments
MSc 2018 – Environmental Science, Texas Christian University, with Dr. Omar Harvey
BSc 2010 – Environmental Science, Troy University, Troy AL, USA
Vinothan Sivapalan – Doctoral Student, Geology, 2021 – present
Dissertation topic: Development of charcoal aromaticity as a paleo-wildfire proxy
MSc 2020 – Geology, University of Cincinnati – with Dr. Aaron Diefendorf
BSc 2018 – Geology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Alumni
Graduate Students
Zachary Valdez – PhD 2019, Ecological Earth & Environmental Sciences (E3) – Dissertation: Sustainable Bioenergy: The effects of fertilization and harvesting rates on root chemistry and soil carbon storage potential in Panicum virgatum (switchgrass) plantations | Employment: AAAS postdoctoral science & technology policy fellow – US senate democrat committee on energy and natural resources.
Owen Craven – MSc 2018, Geology – Thesis: Organic Matter Structural Changes During Catagenesis: Implications of Kerogen Chemical Structure on Petroleum Yield and Composition | Employment: Professional Geologist, Aptim Environmental Services
Todd Longbottom – PhD 2017, Geology -Dissertation: Sedimentary Organic Matter Diagenesis: Oxidative Transformations and Dynamics upon Pyrolysis | Employment: First Postdoc at Texas Christian University with Dr. Omar Harvey; Second Postdoc at University of Toronto, with Dr. Myrna Simpson
Justin VonBargen – MSc 2013, Geology – Thesis: Charcoal Molecular structure: Developing a Proxy for Paleo-fire Regime | Employment: Exploration geologist with Pioneer Natural Resources, Fort Worth, TX.
Postdoctoral Scientists
Dr. Nathaniel Adegboyega – 2015 – 2018 – Molecular-level investigations of engineered nanoscale silverparticle interactions with natural organic matter in aqueous systems | Employment: Assistant Professor, Environmental Chemistry, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville
Dr. Nelson van der Velde – 2013-2014 – Gas Chromatographic analysis of polar fractions (pyroligneous acids) from the pyrolytic conversion of biomass liquids | Employment: Buckman Laboratories, Houston, TX. Development and sales of specialty chemicals for industrial water treatment.
Dr. K Jugeshwar Singh – 2012-2013 – Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy study of the plant biomass pyrolysis products: Bio-oils and Bio-chars | Employment: Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Department of Experimental Physics, Teacher Training Programs
Undergraduate Students
Stephanie Krill – BSc Geology 2021. Research project: Molecular and Isotopic Insights to the Timing and Formation Process of Anthropogenic Soils—The Amazon Dark Earth | Post Graduation: Pursuing a Master’s Degree in Geochemistry at University of Alabama.
Emily Blackaby – BSc Geology 2018 – Thesis: Pre-Depositional age of Organic Matter in Flood Deposits: Insights into the Timescales of Biogeochemical Processes | Post Graduation: Pursuing a Master’s degree in Ecosystem Science & Sustainability, Colorado State University.
Creighton Meyers – BSc Geology 2015 – Thesis: High volume sampling methods for particulate organic matter in natural waters: A case study of the Brazos River in central Texas | Employment: Doctoral Student in Water Science & Management, Texas A&M.
Rebecca Davis – BSc Geology 2014 – Thesis: Burn it to the ground: Black carbon stability in boreal forest soils
Charles Keracic – BSc Geology 2014 – Thesis: Relating kerogen chemical structure to pyrolytic oil potential of the Eagle Ford Shale | Employment: Graduate student in Geology, Texas Tech.
Nicolas Cestari – BSc Geology 2013 – Thesis: Fidelity of n-Alkane Biomarkers for Ecosystem Reconstruction: A Forest-to-Grassland Transect in Central Texas | Employment: Graduate student in Geology, University of Kansas.
