The Colorado School of Mines Department of Geology and Geological Engineering hosted the 3rd Annual Research Fair Feb. 18 to provide an opportunity for students to present their research before a panel of judges.
"The Geology & Geological Engineering Research Fair has been a great opportunity for our students to not only present to one another, but also to the judges who come from local companies, universities, and research labs,” said associate professor Kamini Singha, the coordinator of this year’s event.
The annual event is supported by Conoco-Phillips and has been an effective way to connect Mines with local colleagues from the Colorado Geological Society, U.S. Geological Society and industry.
Students like Stephen Semmens praised the impact that the fair has on student researchers, "I love the feeling of nailing a pitch and getting an attendee excited or interested in my project. Given a diverse and responsive audience, you never know what inspiration you may stumble across while discussing your project.”
There were six categories based on degree type with one winner and one runner-up chosen from each:
- Category A: Undergraduates, 1st place: Sean Cowie; runner up: Brandon Conaway
- Category B: Economic Geology/Hard Rock Masters 1st place: Emilie Gentry; runner up: Michael Hurth
- Category C: Geological Engineering Masters 1st place: Stephen Semmens ; runner up: Caroline Scheevel
- Category D: Hydrology Masters, 1st place: Aaron Bandler; runner up: Celeste Wieting
- Category E: Petroleum/Soft Rock Masters 1st place: Lauren Cross; runner up: Stephen Schwarz
- Category F: Pre-Candidacy PhD 1st place: Kara Marsac; 3-way tie for runner up: Lauren Foster, Ryan Harmon and Hirofumi Kobayashi
- Category G: PhD Candidates “Grand Prize”: Emily Voytek; runner up: James Gilbert
The Category F winner and Category G grand prize winner were each presented with a $500 cash award. The grand prize winner, Voytek, also received an invitation to speak at Mines’ weekly Geology Van Tuyl Lecture series on April 14.
More photos from the event can be seen here.
Contact:
Agata Bogucka, Information Specialist, College of Earth Resource Sciences & Engineering | 303-384-2657 | abogucka@mines.edu
Karen Gilbert, Director of Public Relations, Colorado School of Mines | 303-273-3541 | kgilbert@mines.edu
