As a bedrock geologist, one of my primary roles with the Iowa Geological Survey is making bedrock geologic maps. I also assist on projects related to groundwater resources management, assist water well drillers and quarry operators, and create lithologic logs of rock core and well chip samples. I also handle most of the education and outreach activities for the IGS as well as rock/fossil/mineral identification requests we receive.

I obtained BS (2003) and MS (2006) degrees in geology from the UI. During my time as a student, I worked part time for the Iowa Geological Survey logging water well samples. After graduation, I worked for Terracon Consultants, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for five and half years. My work at Terracon consisted of doing environmental site assessments for commercial properties, evaluating leaking underground petroleum storage tank sites and providing geologic consultation for pump and reinject passive geothermal systems. I joined the IGS in 2012.