UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
some form of non-destructive geophysical survey in order to determine where to dig, saving both time and money, and revealing sites that would otherwise not be noticed. This use of geophysics has revolutionized archaeology. Additionally, remote sensing is increasingly being used to find archaeologi- cal sites. Methods range from the simple to the complex, from
looking on Google Earth images for crop circles to scanning thick forests with LiDAR. The future is bright for archaeology because of geophysics, and I am eager to be a part of these exciting developments.
This fascination with the applicability of geophysics to archaeology prompted me to join a university research project last fall that uses ground-penetrating radar (GPR), among other methods, to locate unmarked grave sites. Finding these sites is important both out of respect for the people buried there and so the surrounding communities can protect and sustainably manage them. Last fall, I used GPR equipment to survey a historic military cemetery because the number and location of burials at that site is currently unknown. While the data is still being processed, the hope is that the survey will reveal the location of the burials, so that those buried there can be honored with a grave marker. Overall, this combination of geophysical survey with historical research enables me to apply both of my passions as I envision after college.
So, that is why I want to be a geoscientist. By using the principles of the geosciences, I can investigate the past much more efficiently and non-destructively. It is not a traditional path for a geoscientist, but that is the greatest asset of the geosciences: they can be used in so many different fields and applied to such disparate disciplines. I want to be a geoscien- tist because I love archaeology and have always loved geology. And I am looking forward to being a geoscientist because of the many exciting paths it offers.
Jessica Patrick SA-10433 Miami University Ohio Section
I never imagined I was going to go to college until midway through high school when I realized the importance of an education. I was on an IEP (Individual Educational Plan) in grade school which is for students who struggle to keep up with the rest of the class and I had a speech impediment (Oral Apraxia). At the time, all I ever wanted to do was explore the natural world around me and at the end of the day, I would come home with my pockets filled to the brim with pebbles. The different colors within each rock fascinated me, I wanted to know how they formed. After taking environmental science in high school, I realized there was a way to satisfy my curios- ity while learning how to sustain the beauty of the earth. I
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have surpassed many expectations set for me to get to where I am, currently working on my Bachelor of Science in Geology and Environmental Science Co-major at Miami University. I have a cumulative GPA of a 3.83 and have received all A’s in my major-specific courses. My excitement and desire for the continuation of my education is a result of studying geology. My research, classes and field experience have given me con- fidence in my choice to become a geologist.
Through my core geology classes I have learned the value of mineral resources. The instance that stood out to me was when I realized how many cell phones the average American goes through in a lifetime. This is not only wasteful but also ignorant, as I did not understand the value of the rare earth element ‘lithium’ within a cell phone. My mineralogy class introduced me to other crucial resources that are used in every- day products, for example mica is used in speakers. I quickly became increasingly fascinated with mineral resources, their economic value, and environmental impact. When I conducted research on the origin of the Shoshone Granite from the Round Mountain Gold Mine in Nevada, it was my curiosity for gold as resource that made me look in depth at the pyrite within the granite. I knew that the pyrite hosted the gold in the rhyolite tuffs the company mined. By using the LA-ICP-MS on the pyrite I found it to host small concentrations of Au. The small concentrations of Au and the hardness of the host rock makes it unlikely for the gold to be economically valuable.
After the completion of Miami University Field Camp, my goal is to obtain a Master of Science in Geology in order to study economic geology; specifically, mineral resources. Economic geology incorporates many aspects of different geologic sub- disciplines, while also having strong applications in industry. Through my thesis research, I hope to help make mineral resources more attainable through finding efficient ways to locate and extract deposits. Because mineral resources are in high demand, and will only increase in the future, I desire to make mineral exploration more eco-friendly and economical. Post-graduate school, I plan to work in a geoscience career related to mining or environmental consulting to develop solu- tions that are economic- and environmentally-mindful for the average company to implement. Finally, I want to become a geologist because I believe I can make a sustainable impact on the earth by being environmentally conscious while working in the economic geology industry.
Jul.Aug.Sep 2021 • TPG 27
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