March 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 

Don't forget to register for the Poster Session and RSVP for the Spring Banquet! Links are at the bottom under the Events section!

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General

Student Groups

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

Spring Break! March 7-15

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Undergrad Students

Good to know/Opportunities 

• Graduating? Reglaia pre-order is available now at the campus store! 
• Student applications for the 2026-2027 Twinning Program are open! Apply by April 15th.
• GeoIntern 2026 applications are open! Apply by March 15th.

Academic Advising

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

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Graduate Students

• Current Geology and Geophysics Graduate Student Town Hall
  • Friday, March 27th, from 11 AM-12 PM in FASB 303
  • Free pizza lunch (with GF options. Please let us know if you need more accommodations.
• Hooding Reglaia pre-order is available now at the campus store
• Graduate Defenses - more defenses coming soon
  • Kyle Brennan Dissertation Defense - Geology PhD
    • Friday, March 20th at 9 AM in FASB 303
    • Title: The Utility of River Networks and Their Dendritic Structures in Geochemical, Ecological, and Hydrological Research.
  • Emily Cunningham Dissertation Defense - Geology PhD
    • April 29th in FASB 303

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Research/News

View all research news and articles

Recent News:

• Bill Johnson on Cool Science Radio
• Thure Cerling on Cool Science Radio
• New Director of Research and Science at Utah FORGE
• Mantle plume versus plate tectonics (Emily Cunningham, Sarah Lambart, Autumn Hartley, Ashley Morris, etc.)
• When Earth’s Magnetic Field Took Its Time Flipping (Pete Lippert)
• Banning lead in gas worked.The proof is in our hair.  (Thure Cerling, Diego Fernandez, etc.)

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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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