2019-2020 Edition. Back row, left to right: Undergraduates Researcher Jordan Tyo, Katie Seguin, Zoey Plonka, PI Dr. Nathan Sheldon, Graduate Student Rebekah Stein. Front row, left to right: Graduate student Melanie Shadix, Undergraduate Researcher Fiona Fox, Graduate Student Rebecca Dzombak, Undergraduate Researcher Sonya Vogel. Missing from photo: Undergraduate researchers Bianca Gallina, Amelia Jelic.
Current Research Group
Dr. Nathan Sheldon – Principal Investigator
Ph.D.: University of Oregon, 2003
BA: Carleton College, 1999
Selected Past Recognition: Elected Fellow, AAAS (2020); James Lee Wilson Medal, SEPM (2015); Elected Fellow, GSA (2012)
Current Research Field Areas: Montana, Wyoming, Spain
Google Scholar Profile – ResearchGate – Instagram – Deep Blue – Publons
Graduate Students and Post-docs
Katarina Keating (she/them), PhD
Expected Completion: Spring 2027
Mike Machesky (he/him), MSc
Research: Mike is studying plant anatomy and isotope geochemistry with a focus on the role of water. His thesis is jointly supervised by Dr. Selena Smith.
Expected Completion: Spring 2023
Diana Velazquez (she/her), Ph.D Pre-candidate
Research: Diana is just beginning her PhD, but it will likely focus on the C and N biogeochemistry of Lake Huron and Lake Erie. Diana received a Rackham Merit Fellowship from UM as well as an NSF GRFP award.
Expected Completion: Spring 2026
Cecilia Howard (they/them), Ph.D Pre-candidate
Research: Cecilia’s research is split between studying ancient microbial mats and paired ‘omics and geochemistry of an anoxic modern analogue site. They received a Rackham Merit Fellowship from UM.
Expected Completion: Spring 2025
Current Research Group – Undergraduates
Kohler Briggs, 2023-present – Meet the Mnomen wild rice reintroduction project
Dawson Trotman, 2023-present – Meet the Mnomen wild rice reintroduction project
Zack Loveall, 2022-present – CT scanning of microbialites
Camelin McKay, 2022-present – organic geochemistry of lake sediments
Group Alumni:
Dr. Rebecca Dzombak, UM PhD (Google Scholar)
Research: Soils, paleosols, K-Pg boundary, science communication
Completion: May 2021
Current Position: Science writer, AGU; freelance writer
Melanie Shadix, UM MSc
Research: comparative carbon isotope ecology of high-latitude plant species
Completion: December 2020
Current Position: Active Duty, United States Air Force
Dr. Rebekah Stein, UM PhD (Google Scholar)
Research: Plant biogeochemistry, paleoclimate reconstruction, and proxy development
Completion: December 2020
Current Position: Asst. Professor, Quinnipiac University
Bekah’s Personal Website – ResearchGate – Twitter – Instagram
Dr. Kathryn Rico, UM PhD (Google Scholar)
Research: Biogeochemistry (nutrient and trace metal cycling) of aquatic systems for a better understanding of Proterozoic ocean chemistry
Completion: May 2019
Current Position: Post-Doctoral Fellow at Arizona State University
Dr. Allyson Tessin, UM PhD (Google Scholar)
Research: “Organic carbon burial under greenhouse climate conditions: The regional expression of the Late Cretaceous Oceanic Anoxic Event 3 within the Western Interior Seaway”
Completion: Spring 2016
Current Position: Asst. Professor, Kent State University
Dr. Timothy Gallagher, UM PhD (Google Scholar)
Research: “Refining pedogenic carbonate proxies for improved reconstructions of terrestrial environmental conditions”
Completion: Summer 2016
Current Position: Asst. Professor, Kent State University
Chelsea Mervenne, UM MSc
Research: Stable Isotope Ecology in Conifers
Completion: Spring 2016
Current Position: Director of Environmental Programs, Corazon Latino, Inc.
Dr. Ethan Hyland, UM PhD (Google Scholar)
Research: “Multiproxy Terrestrial Records of Climatic and Ecological Change During the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum”
Completion: Spring 2014
Current Position: Associate Professor at North Carolina State University
Dr. Lauren Kinsman-Costello, M-Cubed Postdoctoral Fellow (Google Scholar)
Research: Biogeochemistry of the Middle Island Sinkhole, Lake Huron
Completion: December 2014
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Kent State University
Dr. Jennifer Cotton, UM PhD (Google Scholar)
Research: “Using Soils to Constrain Past and Future Terrestrial Climate Change”
Completion: Spring 2013
Current Position: Associate Professor at California State University Northridge
Dr. Michael Hren, Turner Post-Doctoral Fellow (Google Scholar)
Research: Clumped Isotopes, Organic Geochemistry, Paleohydrology, Paleoclimate
Completion: 2012
Current Position: Associate Professor at the University of Connecticut
Meredith Dennis, UM MSc
Research: Paleosol Stable Isotopes, Phytoliths
Completion: Spring 2012
Current Position: Biologist at Zion National Park
Dr. Ria Mitchell, RHUL PhD (Google Scholar)
Research: Weathering and Paleosol Formation of the Keweenawan Rift
Completion: Fall 2010
Current Position: Zeiss Microscopy
Lauren Miller, UM MSc
Research: Reconstructing Eocene Paleovegetation with Phytoliths
Completion: Summer 2010
Dr. Jessica Hamer, RHUL PhD
Research: “Interpreting Cenozoic Floodplains: A Paleopedological and Ichnological Prespective”
Completion: Fall 2009
Current Position: Research Associate, King’s College London
Undergraduate Alumni:
Kelsey Jones, 2021-2022, University of Michigan
Amelia Jelic, 2019-2022, University of Michigan
Fiona Fox, 2019-2020, University of Michigan
Jordan Tyo, 2019-2020, University of Michigan
Catherine Seguin, 2019-2020, University of Michigan, Honors Thesis
Bianca Gallina, 2018-2020, University of Michigan
Zoey Plonka, 2018-2020, University of Michigan
Aliah Wright-Johnson, 2018-2019, University of Michigan
Sonya Vogel, 2017-2021, University of Michigan, Honors Thesis
Maggie Hammond, 2017-2019, University of Michigan
Samantha Reasons, 2017-2018, University of Michigan
Charlotte Connop, 2014-2018, University of Michigan
Julia Derringer, 2016-2017, University of Michigan
Clarissa Crist, 2015-2017, Eastern Michigan University
Hu Chien Tan, 2015-2016, University of Michigan
Becca Dzombak, 2015-2016, University of Michigan
Hayley Knouff, 2014-2015, University of Michigan
Danielle Boshers, 2014-2015, University of Michigan
Hannah Sherman, 2014, University of Michigan
Kori Johnson-Lane, 2014, University of Michigan
Sara Leon, 2013-2017, University of Michigan
Steven Duric, 2013, University of Michigan
Chelsea Mervenne, 2013, University of Michigan
Kathryn Gallagher, 2013, University of Michigan
Christie Wilkins, 2012, University of Michigan
Bryana Boos, 2012, University of Michigan
Carli Balogh, 2012-2014, University of Michigan
Carla Valdes, 2012-2013 University of Michigan
Brigid Lynch, 2011-2012, University of Michigan
Tess Nugent, 2011-2013, University of Michigan
Sul Gi Ye Park, 2010-2011, University of Michigan
Stephanie Chen, 2009-2013, University of Michigan, Honors Thesis
Meredith Dennis, BA, PitE, 2010-2011, University of Michigan
Bryana Boos, 2010-2012, University of Michigan
Christie Wilkins, 2010-2012, University of Michigan
Yang Sheng, 2009-2010, University of Michigan
Caroline Kreafle, BA, PitE, 2009 (assisted), University of Michigan
Corinne Lund, 2008, University of Michigan
Holly Reay, 2008, Royal Holloway, University of London, MSci Thesis
Paul Gabraiel, 2007, Royal Holloway, University of London, MSci Thesis
Katherine Pomeroy, 2007, Royal Holloway, University of London, MSci Thesis
Alexander Twiney, 2007, Royal Holloway, University of London, MSci Thesis
Ria Mitchell, 2006, Royal Holloway, University of London, MSci Thesis
