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The poster hall at the 2018 AGU Fall Meeting. Seven Appalachian undergraduate students and one alumnus presented their research to the over 25,000 scientists in attendance. Photo by Bob Swarthout

Water quality, volcanic destruction and glacier recession among Appalachian's research highlighted at national conference

“It is very exciting to see so many undergraduates not only attend but present at a large interdisciplinary conference. This speaks to not only our students, but the faculty that mentor and encourage them to seek new knowledge.”

Dr. Becki Battista, Director of Office of Student Research.

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The American Geophysical Union (AGU) Centennial logo, which celebrates the organization’s work to support and advance the Earth and space sciences over the past 100 years. AGU image

By Ellen Gwin Burnette
Posted March 6, 2019 at 4:49 p.m.

BOONE, N.C. — With assistance from Appalachian State University’s Office of Student Research (OSR), 15 undergraduate students, recent graduates and faculty members from four departmental areas in Appalachian’s College of Arts and Sciences — Geological and Environmental Sciences, Geography and Planning, Physics and Astronomy and Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences — participated in the 2018 American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting in Washington, D.C. Seven undergraduate students and one alumnus presented their research to thousands of scientists from across the world.

“It is very exciting to see so many undergraduates not only attend but present at a large interdisciplinary conference. This speaks to not only our students, but the faculty that mentor and encourage them to seek new knowledge.”

Dr. Becki Battista, Director of Office of Student Research.

The annual AGU meeting exposes students to the broader subject of earth science and allows them to network with potential future employers and/or graduate advisers. Over 25,000 people attend the fall meeting, and presentations span a range of earth science topics. AGU also provides faculty with the opportunity to present research and network with colleagues from other institutions, as well as stay informed about the latest developments in their fields.

“It is very exciting to see so many undergraduates not only attend but present at a large interdisciplinary conference,” said Dr. Becki Battista, director of the OSR. “This speaks to not only our students but the faculty that mentor and encourage them to seek new knowledge.”

“This meeting is widely regarded as the most influential geoscience meeting in the world, with thousands of participants from countries all over the world,” said Dr. Robert Swarthout, assistant professor with a dual appointment in the A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences and Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences.

“I was especially proud of how all of our students used this as an opportunity to talk about their work, learn more about a wide variety of hot topics in their fields and to network with potential graduate school advisers and employers.”

More on students' AGU Meeting presentations

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Emily Fedders, a senior geology major, and her poster on “Streambank salt plume intrusion, concentration and residence times along a dynamic, urban headwater stream” at the 2018 AGU Fall Meeting in Washington, D.C. Photo submitted

Emily Fedders, senior

“Streambank salt plume intrusion, concentration and residence times along a dynamic, urban headwater stream”

Major: Geology
Hometown: Beckley, West Virginia

Fedders, a Chancellor’s Scholar and Honors student, presented her research on investigating the effects of winter weather events and long-term stream salinity. She completed her research with Dr. William P. Anderson Jr., professor in and chair of the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, and Dr. Kristan M. Cockerill, associate professor in the Department of Cultural, Gender and Global Studies.

At the conference, Fedders was presented with AGU’s Outstanding Student Presentation Award. She is the first Appalachian geological and environmental sciences student to receive the award, competing against largely graduate students from across the country and the world.

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Hannah Field, a junior geology, quantitative geoscience major, left, explains how proglacial lakes are changing to a University of Colorado researcher at the 2018 AGU Fall Meeting in Washington, D.C. Photo by William Armstrong

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Anton Hengst, a senior mathematics and geology, quantitative geoscience double major, far right, describes his processing strategy to a University of Texas graduate student at the 2018 AGU Fall Meeting in Washington, D.C. Photo by William Armstrong

Seniors Hannah Field and Anton Hengst

“Analysis of Proglacial Lake Change Across Northwestern North America Utilizing Remotely Sensed Data” and “Automated Extraction of Alaskan Proglacial Lake Growth Trends Using an Object-based Image Processing Routine”

Majors: Geology; mathematics and geology, quantitative geoscience
Hometowns: Pisgah Forest and Boone

For their research projects, Field and Hengst, a Chancellor’s Scholar and Honors student, used Landsat satellite imagery to investigate the evolution of proglacial lakes in northwest North America over the past 30 years. Proglacial lakes are lakes in front of glaciers that form when glaciers recede. Many of these lakes are forming and/or growing due to climate warming and glacier retreat.

Hengst has been developing an automated programming approach to extract proglacial lake area from satellite imagery and document its change over time, and Field has been investigating physical controls, such as climate, on proglacial lake change behavior.

Both Field and Hengst received funding from Appalachian’s OSR, with a majority of support coming from the National Science Foundation (NSF), for their research with Dr. William Armstrong, assistant professor in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences.

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Olivia Paschall ’18, an alumna of Appalachian’s B.S. in geology, quantitative geoscience program, in the field mapping Devonian and Carboniferous sediments at the War Monument Locality (also known as the Gerelt Hoshoo Locality) in Mongolia. Photo by Sarah Carmichael

Olivia Paschall ’18

“The role of volcanism in triggering the Hangenberg anoxia event: New (and better!) data across the Devonian-Carboniferous transition in the Pho Han Formation, Cat Ba Island, Vietnam”

Degree: B.S. in geology
Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Appalachian alumna Paschall ’18 received travel assistance for the 2018 AGU Fall Meeting from OSR, as well as external funds for her research costs associated with the work she presented from the Geological Society of America (Southeastern section) and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.

The research she presented at the AGU conference was completed as part of her senior thesis, with a focus on the role of volcanism in mass extinctions, and specifically, about large-scale volcanic activity that may have contributed to or triggered the third pulse of extinction during the Late Devonian period — or about 360 million years ago.

Her research was recently published in the peer-reviewed journal Global and Planetary Change, in which she is the lead author on a paper that includes collaborators from Germany, Japan, Vietnam and the U.S.

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Undergraduate student Brandon Yokeley, a senior geology, quantitative geoscience major, presenting his poster on vegetation influences on soil temperature at the annual AGU Meeting in fall 2018. Photo by Sarah Evans

Brandon Yokeley, senior

“The response of soil temperatures to vegetation cover changes in the southern Appalachians, North Carolina”

Major: Geology
Hometown: Holly Springs

Yokeley received an Undergraduate Research Assistantship in fall 2018 and an OSR travel grant to fund the research he presented at the AGU Meeting.

Yokeley’s presentation was the culmination of his independent undergraduate research, in which he examined the impact of vegetation cover changes on soil temperatures in the southern Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina.

He is the first author on his presentation and was the sole author presenting the research to a geoscience audience of professionals and academics.

Participating in the meeting provided Yokeley with an avenue to receive feedback on his research and allowed him to network with potential graduate program advisers and future collaborators.

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Kevin Takashita-Bynum ’18, an alumnus of Appalachian’s undergraduate geology program, presents his research poster from his field work in Kenya at the 2018 AGU Fall Meeting in Washington, D.C. Photo by Cynthia Liutkus-Pierce

Kevin Takashita-Bynum ’18

“Reconstructing the Deep Time Critical Zone of the Miocene fossil site of Loperot, Kenya: Paleosol geochemistry and stable isotopic results”

Degree: B.S. in geology
Hometown: Cary

Appalachian alumnus Takashita-Bynum ’18, who is now a graduate student at the Watershed Institute at Murray State University in Kentucky, presented a research poster at the AGU conference that he co-authored with Dr. Cynthia Liutkus-Pierce, professor and director of environmental sciences in Appalachian’s Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences.

Their poster presented a paleoenvironmental reconstruction of an early Miocene (approximately 17 million-year-old) primate fossil site in western Turkana, Kenya.

Liutkus-Pierce described the project: “In short, apes and monkeys diverged from a common ancestor somewhere in the latest Oligocene period (around 20 million years ago) and our work is significant, because the early Miocene is a time when we should be able to find evidence in the fossil record of the earliest primate groups that would eventually lead to apes (Hominoidea) and, eventually, to us (humans). Essentially we are searching for our earliest ancestor.”

Takashita-Bynum recently received a $10,000 early-career grant from the National Geographic Society for his graduate work in Ethiopia.

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Rose Rossell, a senior environmental chemistry major, presents her research at the 2018 AGU Fall Meeting in Washington, D.C. Photo by Bob Swarthout

Seniors Rose Rossell and Patrick Faught

“Relationships Between Biogenic and Aromatic Volatile Organic Compounds and Phytoplankton Communities in the North Atlantic Ocean”

Majors: Both Rossell and Faught are chemistry, environmental chemistry majors
Hometowns: Weaverville and Durham

Rossell and Faught, both of whom are Honors students at Appalachian, received OSR support for supplies and assistance with travel to the AGU conference.

They presented their research on the relationships between biogenic and aromatic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and phytoplankton communities in the North Atlantic Ocean. For the project, they analyzed air canister samples that were collected during the May 2017 Phosphorus, Hydrocarbons, and Transcriptomics cruise aboard the R/V Neil Armstrong on a five-detector gas chromatography system for over 80 individual VOCs.

Their research was completed with Dr. Robert Swarthout, assistant professor in the A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences; fellow student Ian Trott, a senior chemistry major from Matthews; Dr. Barkley C. Sive, an atmospheric chemist in the Air Resources Division of the National Park Service in Denver; and Dr. Yong Zhou, a research scientist in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University.

Appalachian’s OSR was established in 2005 to expand the opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to engage in research and mentored scholarship. OSR has a variety of resources, including financial support, to help research become a distinctive feature of the Appalachian Experience.

Appalachian participants in the 2018 AGU Fall Meeting

Faculty

  • Dr. William “Billy” Armstrong, assistant professor, Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences.
  • Dr. Sarah Evans, assistant professor, Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences.
  • Dr. Cynthia Liutkus-Pierce, professor and director of environmental sciences, Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences.
  • Dr. Anton Seimon, research assistant professor, Department of Geography and Planning.
  • Dr. James Sherman, professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy.
  • Dr. Robert “Bob” Swarthout, assistant professor, A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences and Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences.
  • Dr. Chris Thaxton, professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Students

  • Patrick Faught, senior chemistry, environmental chemistry major.
  • Emily Fedders, senior geology, quantitative geoscience major.
  • Hannah Field, junior geology, quantitative geoscience major.
  • Anton Hengst, senior mathematics and geology, quantitative geoscience double major.
  • Rose Rossell, senior chemistry, environmental chemistry major.
  • Brandon Yokeley, senior geology, quantitative geoscience major.

Alumni

  • Olivia Paschall ’18, B.S. in geology, quantitative geoscience.
  • Kevin Takashita-Bynum ’18, B.S. in geology.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

View larger image

The American Geophysical Union (AGU) Centennial logo, which celebrates the organization’s work to support and advance the Earth and space sciences over the past 100 years. AGU image

About student research at Appalachian

Appalachian State University encourages faculty-mentored student research, which provides students with the opportunity to work side by side with faculty on meaningful research or creative endeavors. These projects often result in presentations, performances or exhibitions at regional, national and international conferences and events. Students who engage in research are able to apply knowledge from the classroom into real-world experiences and learn how to problem-solve, effectively communicate and analyze complex issues. Appalachian’s Office of Student Research (OSR) was established in 2005 to expand the opportunities necessary for undergraduate and graduate students to engage in research and creative activities at Appalachian. Learn more at https://osr.appstate.edu.

About the A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences

The A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences offers a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry, a Bachelor of Science in chemistry with eight different concentrations and an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science degree in fermentation sciences. The department’s programs prepare students to attend graduate and professional schools, as well as for employment in the pharmaceutical and fermentation industries and other business sectors. Learn more at https://dcfs.appstate.edu.

About the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences

Located in Western North Carolina, Appalachian State University provides the perfect setting to study geological and environmental sciences. The Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences provides students with a solid foundation on which to prepare for graduate school or build successful careers as scientists, consultants and secondary education teachers. The department offers six degree options in geology and two degree options in environmental science. Learn more at https://earth.appstate.edu.

About the Department of Physics and Astronomy

The Department of Physics and Astronomy’s curriculum has an applied nature that includes a core of fundamental physics courses and laboratory experiences. The department prepares graduates for a variety of scientific, teaching or engineering professions, as well as future educational endeavors. Learn more at https://physics.appstate.edu.

About the College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college. These units span the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. CAS aims to develop a distinctive identity built upon our university's strengths, traditions and locations. The college’s values lie not only in service to the university and local community, but through inspiring, training, educating and sustaining the development of its students as global citizens. More than 6,800 student majors are enrolled in the college. As the college is also largely responsible for implementing App State’s general education curriculum, it is heavily involved in the education of all students at the university, including those pursuing majors in other colleges. Learn more at https://cas.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

Appalachian participants in the 2018 AGU Fall Meeting

Faculty

  • Dr. William “Billy” Armstrong, assistant professor, Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences.
  • Dr. Sarah Evans, assistant professor, Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences.
  • Dr. Cynthia Liutkus-Pierce, professor and director of environmental sciences, Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences.
  • Dr. Anton Seimon, research assistant professor, Department of Geography and Planning.
  • Dr. James Sherman, professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy.
  • Dr. Robert “Bob” Swarthout, assistant professor, A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences and Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences.
  • Dr. Chris Thaxton, professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Students

  • Patrick Faught, senior chemistry, environmental chemistry major.
  • Emily Fedders, senior geology, quantitative geoscience major.
  • Hannah Field, junior geology, quantitative geoscience major.
  • Anton Hengst, senior mathematics and geology, quantitative geoscience double major.
  • Rose Rossell, senior chemistry, environmental chemistry major.
  • Brandon Yokeley, senior geology, quantitative geoscience major.

Alumni

  • Olivia Paschall ’18, B.S. in geology, quantitative geoscience.
  • Kevin Takashita-Bynum ’18, B.S. in geology.

About student research at Appalachian

Appalachian State University encourages faculty-mentored student research, which provides students with the opportunity to work side by side with faculty on meaningful research or creative endeavors. These projects often result in presentations, performances or exhibitions at regional, national and international conferences and events. Students who engage in research are able to apply knowledge from the classroom into real-world experiences and learn how to problem-solve, effectively communicate and analyze complex issues. Appalachian’s Office of Student Research (OSR) was established in 2005 to expand the opportunities necessary for undergraduate and graduate students to engage in research and creative activities at Appalachian. Learn more at https://osr.appstate.edu.

About the A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences

The A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences offers a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry, a Bachelor of Science in chemistry with eight different concentrations and an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science degree in fermentation sciences. The department’s programs prepare students to attend graduate and professional schools, as well as for employment in the pharmaceutical and fermentation industries and other business sectors. Learn more at https://dcfs.appstate.edu.

About the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences

Located in Western North Carolina, Appalachian State University provides the perfect setting to study geological and environmental sciences. The Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences provides students with a solid foundation on which to prepare for graduate school or build successful careers as scientists, consultants and secondary education teachers. The department offers six degree options in geology and two degree options in environmental science. Learn more at https://earth.appstate.edu.

About the Department of Physics and Astronomy

The Department of Physics and Astronomy’s curriculum has an applied nature that includes a core of fundamental physics courses and laboratory experiences. The department prepares graduates for a variety of scientific, teaching or engineering professions, as well as future educational endeavors. Learn more at https://physics.appstate.edu.

About the College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college. These units span the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. CAS aims to develop a distinctive identity built upon our university's strengths, traditions and locations. The college’s values lie not only in service to the university and local community, but through inspiring, training, educating and sustaining the development of its students as global citizens. More than 6,800 student majors are enrolled in the college. As the college is also largely responsible for implementing App State’s general education curriculum, it is heavily involved in the education of all students at the university, including those pursuing majors in other colleges. Learn more at https://cas.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

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Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

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Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
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