Meet the Scientists

Our lab includes graduate and undergraduate researchers and collaborators from around the world.

Katie Linderholm

Undergraduate researcher
Dominick Turoski

Dominick Turoski

Undergraduate researcher

Rayann Rehwinkel

Undergraduate researcher
Peter Book, Kylie Rackouski, Cora-Rose Michel, Emily Bakken, and Abby Smith

Peter Book, Kylie Rackouski, Cora-Rose Michel, Emily Bakken, and Abby Smith

Undergraduate research team

Heller Hall display case project

Ann Marie Prue

Ann Marie Prue

Past Graduate Student

Thesis: “Creating a custom calibration for a portable X-ray Fluorescence instrument using the Biwabik iron formation, Minnesota"

Heidi Krauss

Heidi Krauss

Past undergraduate researcher

Project: Origin of Neoarchean metasedimentary rocks near Pike Lake, Vermilion District, Northeast, Minnesota.

Emily Wojtowicz

Emily Wojtowicz

Past undergraduate researcher

Project: Origin of Neoarchean metasedimentary rocks near Pike Lake, Vermilion District, Northeast, Minnesota.

Logan Carpenter

Logan Carpenter

past undergraduate researcher

Project: Origin of Neoarchean metasedimentary rocks near Pike Lake, Vermilion District, Northeast, Minnesota.

Elizabeth Boor

Elizabeth Boor

Past undergraduate researcher

Project: Origin of Neoarchean metasedimentary rocks near Pike Lake, Vermilion District, Northeast, Minnesota.

Kendall Johnson

Past undergraduate researcher (2017-2018), Recent graduate researcher Spring - Summer 2020

Project:
Quantifying physical characteristics of granular cherty material to determine transport history and depositional setting of iron formation from the ~1.9 Ga Mesabi Iron Range, MN.

Check out Kendall's work here > https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2018AM/webprogram/Paper321622.html
https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/213998

Anthony Wetzel

Past undergraduate researcher

Project: Broadly constraining Proterozoic ocean pH by determining primary and secondary carbonate mineral reactions in iron formation from the ~1.9 Ga Mesabi Iron Range, MN

Stephen Hanson

Past undergraduate researcher

Project: A textural and mineralogical investigation of early diagenetic reactions in the ~1.9 Ga Biwabik iron formation, MN

Mady David

Past undergraduate researcher

Project: Sample preparation and cutting

George Segee Wright

Past summer researcher

Projects: Initial characterization of the Freedom Formation, sample preparation, SEM characterization of samples, microscopy

What we do

Our group seeks to unravel the geochemical evolution of early Earth environments to answer questions relevant to nascent life. We investigate deep time terranes and modern chemical analog hot spring systems from the macro- to micro-scale, using integrated sedimentology, stratigraphy, sedimentary petrology, and geochemistry. Our work crosses the traditional boundaries between sedimentary and hydrothermal processes, focusing on intersections.
Field work

Field work

Spatial and temporal mapping

We work in Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic terranes in northern Minnesota and Canada to create geochemical maps, and stratigraphic models. We also work with collaborators in modern hot spring systems, which serve as analogs to early Earth and early Martian environments.

Drill core

Drill core

Basin-scale geochemical applications

We are located close to the Department of Natural Resources drill core library, allowing us to tackle stratigraphy, sedimentology, and alteration projects at the basin-scale. We are also working to create a standard library of customized, rock-type specific pXRF calibrations to improve regional, non-destructive geochemical mapping.

Analytical geochemistry

Analytical geochemistry

Micro-scale textural, mineral, elemental analysis

Our lab houses transmitted and reflected light microscopes, and sample preparation equipment for element and isotope analysis. On campus, we have access to a shared instrument laboratory with SEM, XRD, and XRF capabilities.

News From the Lab