Page 5 - 2020 GGE Newsletter

Page 5

GGE GRADUATE STUDENT SPOTLIGHT:
ELIZABETH ANDREWS (PHD STUDENT, ALEXIS NAVARRE-SITCHLER)

I am a third year PhD student studying Hydrology with Dr.
Alexis Navarre-Sitchler. In my research, I use numerical simu-
lations to understand mineral dissolution rates in fractured
rock. When we measure mineral dissolution rates in a field set-
ting, the rates are orders of magnitude smaller than if we dis-
solve the mineral in a laboratory setting. The mechanism for
this difference hasn’t been fully explained, but I use reactive
transport codes that can simulate fluid flow and chemical reac-
tion to try and deduce it. I have modeled fractured rock in 2
and 3 dimensions and have found that when I put the average
lab rate into my models, the output rate is similar to the rates
observed in the field. These observations allow us to assess our
conceptual model of weathering and explain the lab vs. field
rate differences.

Prior to coming to Mines for my Ph.D., I completed my B.S. and
M.S. in Geosciences at Penn State. When I first entered college,
I thought I was going to be a chemistry or French education
major. I even spent a semester in southern France, taking all of
my classes in French to further this goal. It was actually a re-
search initiative designed to introduce women into research
labs that allowed me to find my passion for geology and the ge-
osciences as a whole. Through this program, I was placed in the
paleosol/weathering lab where I prepared paleo and modern
soils for carbon isotopic analysis, and major and trace ele-
mental analysis. From these measurements, I learned that I
could estimate mean annual temperature and precipitation
from samples that were 55 million years old. The application of
chemistry to understand Earth systems through rocks is what
convinced me that I wanted to be a geologist before I had even Elizabeth Andrews
taken my first geology course. My interest in the geosciences has only grown since this expe-
rience and I am most interested in using chemical properties of rocks, soils, and water to understand the processes that
shape the Earth’s surface.

My time at Mines has been incredibly helpful to my professional development. With the amazing support of my advisor,
and the department, I have been able to attend multiple short courses, including one on hydrologic modeling, and another
on Critical Zone Processes held in Italy. These experiences have connected me with a group of early career researchers who
will likely be my future collaborators as I pursue a career in academia. I have also learned so much about interdisciplinary
research through these courses. I will also get the chance to teach a class this spring which will be very helpful in my pursuit
of an academic career.

When I’m not working on my Ph.D., I love to explore the mountains and all the open spaces with my husband, Ben. He’s a
meteorologist and has to constantly answer my questions about the different types of mountain clouds that we see here in
Colorado. I am also really passionate about engaging girls with science, technology, engineering and mathematics. I have
volunteered at STEM outreach events at elementary schools, and I currently lead a Junior Girl Scout Troop, where we do
fun science experiments, and explore the natural world around us.