FEBRUARY 2026

Welcome to the Geology & Geophysics monthly blog! Here we will share department updates, career opportunities, scholarships, events, news, and more! Have something you would like included? Email ashley.herman@utah.edu 

HIGHLIGHT - GEOFEST is on Tuesday, February 10th, from 11-1 in the FASB Confluence. Learn more here!

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General

College of Science Award Nominations - Nominations are due February 13th

Note: To nominate, you will need to write a nomination letter.

• Staff Awards - anyone can nominate a staff member 
• Safety Award - anyone can nominate
• Student Awards - a nominee's mentor can nominate
• Postdoc Award - a nominee's mentor or supervisor can nominate
• Faculty Awards - chair can nominate

Student Groups

• Energy Club aka The American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
• Student Association of Geological Engineers (SAGE)
• GEO Club

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Undergrad Students

Internships & Scholarships - Applications are due VERY SOON! 

• 10+ Internships/summer programs available - Application deadlines range from TODAY to February 20th, so apply ASAP! 
• There are LOTS of scholarships available! The deadline for most of them is February 14th!
  • You can apply to the majority of scholarships through Scholarship Universe. 
  • Apply to the David S. & Inga M. Champman Fund, and the Barbara Nash Research & Development Fund by February 14th. These applications are done via email. Please read how to apply on our scholarship webpage.

Apply to be a Science Ambassador

• Join our College of Science Ambassadors—a group of University of Utah students who are passionate about science and committed to leadership. Ambassadors support college events, recruit new students, and help keep our community engaged and excited about science. The deadline to apply is February 15, 2026.

Your Geoscience Advisor: Kelsie Richards

Kelsie Richards is now taking all geoscience (all department) appointments. 

BOOK AN ADVISING APPOINTMENT with Kelsie

Kelsie is located in CSC (Crocker Science Center), room 240

Email: kelsie.richards@utah.edu 

 

Earth & Environmental Science Advisor: Mone Easthope

Book an advising appointment with Mone

simon.easthope@utah.edu

Crocker Science Center, room 214

 

FYI: Sean Meyer has transitioned away from advising and is the new Community Outreach Specialist for the College of Mines and Earth Sciences. We are excited for Sean to continue to help grow the geosciences and other programs at the U. 

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Graduate Students

• Apply for the David S. & Inga M. Chapman Fund - Application Deadline is February 14th
• NHMU STEM in the Spotlight Program
  • "The STEM in the Spotlight program provides K-12th grade field trip students and teachers with opportunities to talk to STEM experts and ask questions about their current ongoing research. This program exposes students to experts from a variety of STEM careers, letting them engage with STEM in practice in real-world situations. This program currently runs most Thursdays during the academic year (Sept. - May) from 10:00am-1:00pm in one of our Learning Labs in the gallery spaces. Past presenters have shown specimens or objects that relate to their work which students can look at or interact with, created short hands-on activities, and led guided student group activities. Programs can be run by an individual or by multiple members of a lab or group. During the entire program, I will be there to track attendance numbers, crowd control if needed, and support presenters in any other capacity. This program would be a good fit for individuals looking to gain more science communication experience with K-12 students.
    
    If individuals are interested in presenting or learning more, they can email Mara Salfer directly at this email address: STEMprograms@nhmu.utah.edu

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Research/News

Recent News:

Banning lead in gas worked. The proof is in our hair.

An analysis of hair samples conducted by University of Utah scientists shows precipitous reductions in lead levels since 1916. Scientists include Geology's Thure Cerling and Diego Fernandez.

View all research news and articles

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Highlights

Meet our newest faculty member, Monica Barbery!

• Monica joined our department in January of 2026 as an Assistant Professor
• This Spring, she is teaching Structural Geology (GEO 4060)
• Monica’s research focuses on the mechanics of earthquakes and faulting using laboratory experiments. Her work explores the physical processes that contribute to slow and fast earthquakes in nature and the role of fault zone heterogeneity on these processes.
• FUN FACT: Her favorite spider is the spinybacked orbweaver 

 

Spring 2026 Geology & Geophysics UROP Scholars

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Alumni

Kevin Furlong has been awarded the Geology and Geophysics 2026 Outstanding Alumni Award

It is a great honor to be recognized by the department in this way. I believe that the culture of the department that fostered collaboration and encouraged thinking broadly and across disciplines really shaped the way I do my science. That underlying approach to science has helped my entire career, and it also makes doing science fun!

We will be presenting the award and hearing from Kevin Furlong for DLS on Thursday, April 2nd. 

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Events

 

 

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