SEDIMENT MECHANICS LAB
FORMER STUDENTS
GRADUATE STUDENTS
N. TANNER MILLS, '21
former Ph.D. student
Tanner graduated from Texas A&M University with his Ph.D. in Geology in December of 2021. He had joined Dr. Julia Reece's research group in Fall 2015 after completing a Master's degree in Geology at Baylor University and a B.S. in Geology from Brigham Young University. Tanner's research at TAMU was focused on the impact of microbial activity on mudstone properties. Tanner investigated the interactions between sediment, pore fluid, and micro-organisms. His research project was very interdisciplinary and spanned many fields such as sediment mechanics, geomicrobiology, and geochemistry. He published two research articles and the third one is submitted.
He currently holds a postdoctoral position at The University of Texas at Austin.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHERS
Undergraduate Researchers in the last five years include:
Trent Heise, Andrew McGlothlin, Samantha Dees, Adriel Rivera, Braden Hoefer, Ethan Levine, Mary Thompson, Sarah Leavengood, Katelyn Fannin, Charles Babendreier, Lucky Marchelino, B. Gunner Boler, and Jesse Yeon.
WYATT SCOTT, '19
current: Ph.D. student, Texas A&M University
Wyatt graduated with his B.S. in Geology from Texas A&M University in December of 2019. He worked as an undergraduate researcher along with Ph.D. student Ryan Elmore studying the mechanism of submarine landslides on low angle slopes. His interests involve sediment mechanical features and the effect of different stresses on their properties. In spring and summer after graduation he performed internships in the petroleum industry. Since August 2020 he is a Ph.D. student in Dr. Reece's research group.
MICHAEL MARTINEZ, '19
current: Chevron
Michael had joined Dr. Julia Reece's research group in January 2019 and graduated from Texas A&M University with his B.S. in Geology in December of 2019. For his undergraduate research, he focused on the effect that diatoms have on the geotechnical and hydromechanical properties of sediments. He is interested in future opportunities within the petroleum industry.
SCHUYLER HOFF, '19
current: self-employed
Schuyler worked in the Sediment Mechanics Lab as an undergraduate student worker. He graduated from Texas A&M University in December of 2019.
DENNIS MMASA, '17
current: Completions QC Specialist at Corva
Dennis graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Geology. He joined Dr. Reece's research group in January 2017 and continued working with Melissa Altobelli's research project on the effect of organic material on the mechanical properties and microstructure of mudstones. Previously Dennis worked at the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Gulf Coast Repository (GCR) as a student worker. Dennis currently works for Datalog Geological Services as a surface logger. He plans on attending graduate school in the fall of 2018.
MELANIE BOWEN, '17
current: ExxonMobil
Melanie Bowen graduated from Texas A&M University in December of 2017 with her BS in geology. She worked as a student technician in the Sediment Mechanics Lab, assisting team members with lab experiments and miscellaneous tasks. Additionally, Bowen participated in undergraduate research at the International Ocean Discovery Program, focusing on XRF analysis of sediment samples from the Arabian Monsoon expedition. After graduation, Melanie will work as a petroleum geologist intern for ExxonMobil and SM Energy while waiting to begin graduate school concentrating on carbonate sedimentology in Fall 2018.
TRAVIS SHACKLETON, '16
current: Schlumberger
Travis graduated with his undergraduate B.S in Geology under the petroleum track in August 2017. His previous research project with Dr. Julia Reece studied the effect microfossils can have on the consolidation process of mudstones with implications for slope instabilities. This research involves sediment samples and foraminifera collected through the International Ocean Discovery Program. His goals are to attend graduate school for a M.S. degree in geology, and to work in the petroleum industry.
MELISSA ALTOBELLI, '16
current: ExxonMobil
Melissa graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelors of Science degree in geology in December 2016 and is currently working full-time with ExxonMobil. She plans on attending graduate school in the future and is interested in studying fluid flow and transport processes in porous media. Her project in this research group was concerning the effect of organic material on the mechanical behavior of mudstones. Melissa enjoys traveling and listening to live music with the company of her friends!
CLAYTON GOODSPEED, '16
current: Halliburton
Clayton graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Geology from Texas A&M University in December 2016. His project in this research group was a technical analysis of grain size measurements using different grain size measuring techniques. This project included comparing the Mastersizer 3000, Camsizer P4, and the hydrometer method to determine the accuracy of each method and develop standards. In addition to conducting this technical analysis, Clayton worked around the lab helping out other members on various projects when needed. Clayton is currently in training with Halliburton to be a field engineer.
