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Papers

Invited Talks

Conferences/Workshops

Students

Teaching

Analytical

Full CV available upon request

Education

• Doctorate of Philosophy in Geosciences, Stony Brook University – Advisor: John B. Parise ( 2006)
• Masters of Science in Geosciences, Stony Brook University – Advisor: John B. Parise (2002)
• Bachelor of Science in Geology with Emphasis in Mineralogy, University of Arizona – Advisor: Robert T. Downs (1999)

Current Academic Positions

• Associate Professor, Dept. of Geography and Geology, Western Kentucky University, 2012 - Present
• Director of the Advanced Materials Institute, Western Kentucky University, 2010 – Present
• Adjunt Professor, Dept. of Chemistry, Western Kentucky University, 2012 - Present
• Advanced Materials Institute Faculty, Western Kentucky University, 2007 – Present
• Researcher, Kentucky NanoNet, 2011 – Present

Previous Positions

• Assistant Professor, Dept. of Geography and Geology, Western Kentucky University, 2007 – 2012
• Visiting Assistant Professor, School of Earth and Environmental Science, City University of New York Queens College, 2006 –2007
• Visiting Investigator, Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, D.C., 2002 – 2003
• Research Assistant, Geosciences Dept., Stony Brook University, 2000 – 2006
• Teaching Assistant, Geosciences Dept., Stony Brook University, Fall 1999 – Spring 2000
• Undergraduate Research Assistant, Geosciences Dept., University of Arizona, Summer 1999
• Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Geosciences Dept., University of Arizona, Fall 1998

Professional Service

• Oak Ridge National Laboratory Science Review Committee, 2010 – Present
• Associate Editor: American Mineralogist, 2008 – Present
• Topical Session Organizer & Chair (T71), 2010 Geological Society of America National Meeting
• Mineralogical Consulting: South Bay Auctions Inc., 2005; Law Offices of James C. Milam, 2011
• Representative for Students and Post-docs: National Synchrotron Light Source User Executive Committee, Special Interest Group (SpIG), June 2003 – June 2004
• Reviewer for many scientific journals including: American Mineralogist, Chemistry of Materials, Inorganic Chemistry, Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, Journal of Applied Crystallography, Applied Clay Science, and Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta

Grants and Awards (Totaling $2,660,891)

1. Holt, W., Gurnis, M., Hernlund J., Lowell, R., Seyfried, W., Celestian, A. J., Rasbury, E. T., Lanzirotti, T., Northrup, P., Hemming, G., Cochran, J. K., Aller, R., Kump, L. Frontiers in Earth System Dynamics: Type 1: Tectonics as the pulse of the Earth: uniting ocean/atmosphere chemistry with seal level and mantle dynamics (Pending). National Science Foundation. 5,000,000 USD.
2. Celestian, A. J. (2011-2013) Mechanisms of ion selectivity in porous frameworks.  American Chemical Society – Petroleum Research Fund. 50,000 USD (Awarded).
3. Webb, C., Celestian, A. J. (2011) Construction of the new Advanced Materials Institute. WKU Internal Grant. 400,000 USD (Funded).
4. Ferrell, B., Celestian, A. J., Webb, K., Dahl, D., Conte, E., Polk, J., and Dobrokhotov, V. (2010) Development of a multi-disciplinary institute for advanced materials science. WKU Research Foundation. 2,000,000 USD (483,040 USD for single crystal XRD and TGA/DSC).
5. Celestian, A. J. (2009) Acquisition of a Modern X-ray Diffraction System for Gatton Academy Students. Carol Martin Gatton Academy. 76,744 USD (Awarded).
6. Celestian, A. J. (2008) Acquisition of a new Raman microscope for environmental and materials science research and education. National Science Foundation Kentucky EPSCoR with WKU cost share. 90,646 USD (Awarded).
7. Celestian, A. J. (2008) Synthesis and characterization of zeolites for geologic disposal of high level radioactive waste. Western Kentucky University New Faculty Scholarship. 4,000 USD (Awarded).
8. Celestian, A. J. (2008) Comprehensive research experience and mentoring for middle school science teachers.  Western Kentucky University Science Alliance. 2,555 USD (Awarded).
9. Celestian, A. J. and Kramer, S. (2007) Proposed research for the Materials Characterization Center for titanium silicate characterization. Western Kentucky University Materials Characterization Center Graduate Student Scholarship. 5,000 USD. (Awarded).
10. Zheng, Y., Hemming, N. G., Brock, P., Brueckner, H., Celestian, A. J., Eaton, T., McHugh, C., Pekar, S., Stewart, G., Plummer, T. (2006) Expanding Capacity in Rapid Elemental Analysis at Queens College for Environmental and Geological Science Student: Innov-X Systems Environmental Analyzers. CUNY Graduate Investment Initiative. 30,946 USD (Awarded).
11. Celestian, A. J. (2006) Goldschmidt Conference Student Travel Grant to Melbourne, Australia. Geochemical Society. 1,000 USD (Awarded).

Refereed Publications

• For a complete list of papers, please goto the << Papers >> page.

Invited Talks

1. Stony Brook University, Department of Geosciences, July 2011.
2. Miami University (Ohio), Department of Geology, March 2011.
3. Dartmouth College, Earth Sciences, February 2011.
4. University of Kentucky, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, February 2011.
5. National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institute, October 2009.
6. Brookhaven National Laboratory, National Synchrotron Light Source II, July 2009.
7. Western Kentucky University, Dept. of Astronomy and Physics, February 2008.
8. Western Kentucky University, Dept. of Geography and Geology, October 2007.
9. Vanderbilt University, Dept. of Earth and Environmental Sciences, September 2007.
10. Savannah River Site, May 2007.
11. City University of New York Queens College, School of Earth and Environmental Science, April 2007.
12. Western Kentucky University, Dept. of Geography and Geology, April 2007.
13. City University of New York Queens College, School of Earth and Environmental Science, May 2006.
14. Center for Environmental and Molecular Sciences, Stony Brook University, May 2006.
15. Center for Environmental and Molecular Sciences, Stony Brook University, May 2005.
16. National Synchrotron Light Source, March 2003.

Conferences and Presentations (asterisk denotes student)

1. All, J., Schmitt, C., Celestian, A. J., Rucks, M. J.,* Arnott, P., Cole, R. (2012) New measurements of particles in glacial snow and ice in the Cordillera Blanca Mountains of Peru. American Geophysical Union National Meeting, San Francisco, CA.
2. Rucks M. J.,* Celestian A. J. (2012) Multi-step ion exchange of rare earth elements into microporous zorite. Geological Society of America National Meeting, Charlotte, NC.
3. Powers, M.,* Celestian A. J. (2012) In Situ Time-Resolved Raman and X-ray Diffraction of Rare Earth Element Ion Exchange in Nanoporous Sitinakite. Geological Society of American National Meeting, Charlotte, NC.
4. Celestian, A. J., Rucks, M. J.,* Gunter, M. (2012) Optical, Raman, and morphological characterization of rock thin sections from the Arnold Pit former talc mine near Balmat, New York for asbestiform minerals. Geological Society of America National Meeting, Charlotte, NC.
5. Celestian, A. J., Powers, M.*, and Rader, S.* (2012) Heavy metal sequestration in nanoporous minerals. 22nd V. M. Goldschmidt Conference.
6. Flynn, E.*, Wulff, A. H., Celestian, A. J., Rucks, M.* (2012) Identifying types of zoning in minerals using Raman microscopy. 61st Southeast Geological Society of America Annual Meeting. No. 22-1.
7. Celestian, A. J. (2012) Synthesis and metal sequestration in nanoporous minerals. 1st Annual Kentucky Nanotechnology Symposium. Bowling Green, KY.
8. Rader, S.*, Yan-Fen Li*, and Celestian, A. J. (2012) Ion selectivity studies on umbite. 42nd Annual WKU Student Research Conference. AWARDED Best undergraduate presentation in the natural sciences.
9. Fouzia, B.* and Celestian, A. J. (2012) Heavy metal sequestration using gismondine. 42nd Annual WKU Student Research Conference.
10. Rucks, M.* and Celestian, A. J. (2012) The characterization of asbestos-form minerals in thin section. 42nd Annual WKU Student Research Conference.
11. Powers, M.* and Celestian, A. J. (2012) Enhanced nanoporous minerals for energy processes. 42nd Annual WKU Student Research Conference.
12. Hornback, C.* and Celestian, A. J. (2012) Ion exchange in the nanoporous mineral gaidonnayite. 42nd Annual WKU Student Research Conference.
13. Powers, M.*, Celestian, A. J. (2011) Enhanced nanoporous minerals for energy processes. Posters at the Capitol, Frankfort, KY.
14. Powers, M., Celestian, A. J. (2011) Ion selectivity studies on nanoporous crystal structures. Geological Society of American, Minneapolis, MN.
15. Wulff, A., Celestian, A. J., May, M., Siewers, F. (2011) Portals in the geology curriculum for undergraduate research. Geological Society of American, Minneapolis, MN.
16. Celestian, A. J. (2011) INVITED micro-Raman: Introduction and applications to Raman spectroscopy. Teaching with pXRF and benchtop Raman, Teaching Mineralogy, Petrology, and Geochemistry in the 21st Century Workshop, Minneapolis, MN.
17. Celestian, A. J., Kramer, S.*, and Leftwich, K.* (2011) INVITED Causes of ion selectivity in porous silicates. American Crystallographic Association Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA.
18. Powers, M., Celestian, A. J. (2011) Ion Selectivity Studies on the Mineral Cavansite. WKU Student Research Conference, Bowling Green, KY.
19. Rader, S., Celestian, A. J. (2011) Synthesized Crystalline Materials and Ion Exchange. WKU Student Research Conference, Bowling Green, KY. AWARDED best undergraduate poster.
20. Elder, M, Bowles, E, Siewers, F., Celestian, A. J. (2011) a textural and geochemical study of lacustrine ostracodes from San Salvador Island, Bahamas: evidence of changing lake-water salinity over time. WKU Student Research Conference, Bowling Green, KY.
21. Toney, C.* and Celestian, A. J. (2010) Ca/Mg ratios for use as sea-level proxies in magnesian calcites of Phanerozoic marine origin. Kentucky Academy of Science Annual Meeting.
22. Kenderes, S.*, Siewers, F. D., Celestian, A. J. (2010) a petrographic and Raman microscopy study of the fibrous carbonates in coal ball concretions: toward an enhanced understanding of high magnesian calcite diagenesis. Kentucky Academy of Science Annual Meeting.
23. Newton, M.*, Celestian, A. J., Wulff, A. (2010) Characterization of the suite of minerals from Dos Pobres, Arizona. Kentucky Academy of Science Annual Meeting.
24. Moyers, A.*, Celestian, A. J., Wulff, A. (2010) Characterization of mineral assemblages from the Rochford Banded Iron Formation. Kentucky Academy of Science Annual Meeting.
25. Celestian, A. J., Fewox, C., Clearfield, A. (2010) In situ X-ray diffraction study of  Cs+ ion exchange in umbite. Geological Society of America National Meeting. Denver, CO.
26. Leftwich, K.* and Celestian, A. J. (2010) Cesium Sequestration into a Microporous Gallosilicate Framework.  Geochimica Acta, 74, 12, supplement 1-A577. Goldschmidt.
27. Kramer, S.* and Celestian, A. J. (2010) The Mechanisms of Sr Ion Exchange into Partially Niobium Substituted Sitinakite.  Geochimica Acta, 74, 12, supplement 1-A538. Goldschmidt.
28. Toney, C.*, Cole, J. M., and Celestian A. J. (2010) Tufa Mineralogy of the Barstow Formation in California. 15th Annual Kentucky EPSCOR Conference.
29. Rader, S.* and Celestian, A. J. (2010) Characterization of Porous Titanium Silicates. Sigma Xi Student Research Conference. Bowling Green, KY
30. Leftwich, K.* and Celestian, A. J. (2010) Synthesis and Ion Exchange of Potassium Gallosilicate TsG-1. Sigma Xi Student Research Conference. Bowling Green, KY
31. Walter, A.*, Hunter, S.*, and Celestian, A. J. (2010) Zeolite CGS: Ion Exchange and Synthesis. Sigma Xi Student Research Conference. Bowling Green, KY
32. Leftwich, K.* and Celestian, A. J. (2009) BEST undergraduate Oral Presentation Award Synthesis and Ion Exchange of Gallosilicate TsG-1. Kentucky Academy of Science Annual Meeting.
33. Kramer, S.*, Rader, S.*, and Celestian, A. J. (2009) INVITED Engineering materials for radioactive waste sequestration.  Graduate Student Posters at the Capitol.  Frankfort, KY.
34. Leftwich, K.* and Celestian, A. J. (2009) Nanoporous natrolite and sequestration of radioactive waste.  Posters at the Capitol.  University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
35. Kramer, S.*, Rader, S.*, and Celestian, A. J. (2009) Engineering materials for radioactive waste sequestration.  Posters at the Capitol.  University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
36. Kramer, S.* and Celestian, A. J. (2009) BEST Graduate Student Presentation Award Sequestration of Strontium in a Porous Titanosilicate. Sigma Xi Student Research Conference. Bowling Green, KY
37. Dame, H.* and Celestian, A. J. (2009) Modifying the sitinakite structure for enhanced cesium and strontium sequestration.  Sigma Xi Student Research Conference. Bowling Green, KY.
38. Kramer, S.* and Celestian, A. J. (2008) Strontium ion exchange mechanism in synthetic sitinakite from time resolved studies.  Eos Trans. AGU 89(53), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract V13A-2107.
39. Kramer, S.* and Celestian, A. J. (2008) Time resolved X-ray diffraction of a niobium substituted titanosilicate for the determination of the strontium ion exchange mechanism.  Regional ACS Conference. Nashville, TN.
40. Kramer, S.* and Celestian, A. J. (2008) HONORABLE Mention Award Synthesis of pure hydrogen titanosilicate for the determination of the strontium ion exchange mechanism. Sigma Xi Student Research Conference.  Bowling Green, KY.
41. Clearfield, A., Celestian, A. J., Tripathi, A., Medvedev, D., Parise, J. B. (2007) an in-situ crystallographic study of crystal growth and ion exchange in titanium silicates. Keynote address. Annual Meeting of the American Crystallography Association. Salt Lake City, UT. Abstract# 07.01.07.
42. Celestian, A. J., Parise, J. B., Narayan, J. Kubicki, J. D., Clearfield, A. (2006) Influence of hydroxyl-water interaction on structural transformations during Cs+ exchange in microporous H-CST. 16th Annual Goldschmidt Conference, Melbourne, Australia. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 70(18), A91.
43. Celestian, A. J., Parise, J. B., Clearfield, A. (2006) In situ time resolved diffraction of cesium exchange in crystalline silicotitanates. Joint National Synchrotron Light Source and Center for Functional Nanomaterials Users' Meeting. Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY.
44. Parise, J. B., Celestian, A. J., Smith, R. I., Toby, B. H. (2006) a double-lever mechanism driving structural transitions in crystalline silicotitanates revealed by combined time-resolved X-ray diffraction and neutron powder diffraction. 64th Annual Pittsburg Diffraction Conference. Pittsburg, PA.
45. Michel, F. M., Antao, S. M. , Celestian, A. J., Schoonen, M. A. A., Parise, J. B., Liu, G., Strongin, D. R., Lee, P. L., Chupas, P. J. (2006) Size and structure of ferrihydrite from PDF analysis, Proceedings from the 232nd National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, San Francisco, CA.
46. Winslow, F.D. III, Abbott, D., Celestian, A. J., Hemming, S. R., Olsen, P. Phillips, B. L., Rasbury, E. T., Smirnov, A., Whiteside, J. H. (2006) Extra-basinal source for the Tr-J boundary clay layer in the Newark basin. Geological Society of America National Meeting. Philadelphia, PA, October 22-25.
47. Galloway, M. M., Celestian, A. J., Parise, J. B., Clearfield, A. (2006) Temperature stability of a molecular sieve crystalline silicotitanate with the mineral sitinakite topology. Abstracts of the American Chemical Society 231, Meeting Abstract 860-CHED.
48. Celestian, A. J., Parise, J. B. (2005) Ion Exchange Mechanisms of Cs+ Absorption into Silicotitanate CST. Chemistry Research Day, Stony Brook University. Stony Brook, NY.
49. Park, H., Celestian, A. J., Nyman, M., Parise, J. B. (2005) Crystal Chemistry of Polyoxometalate Clusters. Chemistry Research Day, Stony Brook University. Stony Brook, NY.
50. Parise, J. B., Celestian, A. J. (2005) Synchrotron X-ray and neutron scattering techniques: Aids to understanding structure, mechanism and functionality in nano-materials of interest to environmental scientists. Synchrotron Environmental Science III, Brookhaven National Laboratory, September 19-21.
51. Celestian, A. J., Parise, J. B., Smith, R. I., Park, H. Clearfield, A. (2005) In situ neutron and X-ray scattering studies of Cs+ ion exchange sequestration into the crystalline silicotitanate (CST) molecular sieve. Abstracts of Papers of the American Chemical Society 230, U1769-U1770,  Meeting Abstract 111-GEOC.
52. Celestian, A. J. and Parise, J. B. (2005) Ion Exchange Mechanisms of Cs+ Absorption into silicotitanate CST. Chemistry Research Day, Stony Brook University.
53. Park, H., Celestian, A. J., Nyman, M., and Parise, J. B. (2005) Crystal Chemistry of Polyoxometalate Clusters. Chemistry Research Day, Stony Brook University.
54. Celestian, A. J., Medvedev, D. G., Tripathi, A. Parise, J. B., Clearfield, A. (2004) In situ X-ray diffraction study of Cs ion exchange into H-TS. Geological Society of America National Meeting, November 7-10, Denver, CO, USA. Advanced Characterization of Minerals.
55. Parise, J. B., Celestian, A. J., Medvedev, D. G., Tripathi, A., Clearfield, A. (2004) Optimized synthesis, elucidation of structures, and properties for porous materials using synchrotron radiation. Synchrotron Radiation in Materials Science. August 23-25. Grenoble, France.
56. Celestian, A. J., Parise, John B., Medvedev, Dmitri G., Tripathi, Akhilesh, Clearfield, Abraham. (2004) Synchrotron time resolved X-ray diffraction of Cs exchange into molecular sieve H-CST. Abstracts of Papers of the American Chemical Society 227, U1515, Part 1, Abstract: 708-INOR.
57. Medvedev, D., Tripathi, A., Celestian, A. J., Parise, J. B., Clearfield, A., Hanson, J. C. (2004) Time resolved diffraction studies on titanosilicate with mineral sitinakite topology: From crystallization to ion exchange. Abstracts of Papers of the American Chemical Society 227, U1235, Part 1, Abstract 033-IEC.
58. Park, H., Kim, D. K., Moureau, D., Celestian A., Bull, I., Parise, J. B. (2004) Solvothermal Synthesis of New Micro- and Mesoporous Phosphate Materials. Gordon Research Conference - Inorganic Chemistry. Salve Regina University, Newport, RI.
59. Bull, I., Park, H., Peng, L., Celestian, A. J., Nyman, M., Bonhomme, F., Grey, C., Parise, J. B. (2004) Microcrystal diffraction studies of novel nanoporous and cluster structures with applications in areas such as ion exchange. Chemistry Research Day. State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY.
60. Celestian, A. J., Parise, J. B., Medvedev, D. G., Tripathi, A., Clearfield, A. (2004) Synchrotron time resolved X-ray diffraction of Cs exchange into molecular sieve H-CST. Chemistry Research Day. State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY.
61. Tripathi, A., Medvedev, D., Clearfield, A., Celestian, A. J., Parise, J. B., Nyman, M., Hanson, J. (2003) In situ synchrotron X-ray structural studies of crystal growth and ion exchange in tunnel-type titanosilicates. Abstracts of Papers of the American Chemical Society 225: U93-U-94, Part 2, Abstract 543-INOR.
62. Celestian, A. J., Parise, J. B. (2002) K, Na, and Li Ion Exchange Properties in (Al,Ge)-GIS Type Zeolites. North East Corridor Zeolite Association (NECZA). Pennsylvania State University, Philadelphia, PA.
63. Park, S. H., Kleinsorge, M., Grey, C. P., Parise, J. B., Celestian, A. J. (2002) Lithium and Deuterium NMR Studies of Acid-Leached Layered Lithium Manganese Oxides. Chemistry Research Day. State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY.
64. Park, S. H., Kleinsorge, M., Grey, C. P., Parise, J. B., Celestian, A. J. (2002) Can We Visualize Framework Li cations using IR and Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy? Chemistry Research Day. State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY.
65. Parise, J. B., Goodell, C., Celestian, A. J., Tripathi, A. (2001) Phase transformations in the GIS structure upon ion exchange. EOS Trans., AGU, Fall Meeting Suppl., 82(47): V32A-0956. Nanoparticles in the Environment II.

Workshops Attended

• Ogden College Leadership Workshop. Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY. 2012.
• Teaching Mineralogy, Petrology, and Geochemistry in the 21st Century Workshop, Minneapolis, MN. 2011.
• In-situ Analyses in Environmental and Chemical Systems Workshop. National Synchrotron Light Source 25th Annual User's Meeting. Brookhaven National Lab, Upton, NY, USA. 2005.
• ACS Petroleum Research Fund Summer School in Molecular Modeling Applied to Environmental Geochemistry. Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA. 2004.
• Frontiers in Powder Diffraction Workshop. National Synchrotron Light Source 23rd Annual User's Meeting. Brookhaven National Lab, Upton, NY, USA. 2003.
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance workshop for environmental sciences. Organized by Brian Phillips and Clare Grey, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY. 2003.
• 10th Annual ACA Crystallography Summer Course. Athens, GA. 2001.
• Rietveld refinement workshop for X-ray powder diffraction. Organized by Ross Angel and John Parise, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY. 2001.

Students Projects Advised and Thesis Committee Service

M.S. Advisor (Western Kentucky University)

• Samantha Kramer, Ion exchange mechanisms in molecular sieves. 2007-2011 (Currently Water Quality Control Manager, Madison Suburban Utility District, Tennessee)

M.S. Committee Member (Western Kentucky University)

• Crystal Bergman, Drought Impacts and Mitigation Strategies in Kentucky. 2008-2009 (Currently Ph.D. candidate at University of Nebraska-Lincoln)
• Brian Ham, Stormwater flux response within free flow karst aquifers. 2007-2009

B.S./B.A. Advisor (Western Kentucky University)

• Cassandra Hornback, Heterosilicate ion exchange. 2011-Present
• Michael Powers, Heterosilicate synthesis and ion exchange. 2010-Present
• Melinda Rucks (Chemistry), Heterosilicate synthesis and ion exchange. 2010-Present
• Shelby Rader (Honors), Ion exchange mechanisms in titanium silicates. 2009-Present
• John Perry, Synthesis of novel heterosilicates. 2009 – 2011
• Mathew Downen (Honors), Acid weathering and crystallography/mineralogy of planetary sulfates. 2008-2011
• Kristin Leftwich, Crystallography and crystal chemistry of natrolites. 2008-2010 (Currently M.S. candidate at Indiana University)
• Christopher Toney, Raman spectroscopy of benthic foraminifera tests. 2008-2009
• Nancy Toney, Raman spectroscopy of plantonic foraminifera tests. 2008- 2009
• Heath Dame, Crystallography and crystal chemistry of porous metal titanates. 2008-2009
• Chelsea Brunner, Crystallography and crystal chemistry of planetary sulfates; Crystallographic computing using Matlab. 2008-2009 (Currently M.S. candidate at University of New Mexico)
• Joshua Henderson, Characterization and provenance of tobacco farm soil. 2008-2009

Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science (Selective High School) Advisor

• Layne Webb, Planetary mineral evolution. 2010 – 2011.
• Christian Jolly, Synthesis and characterization of novel titanates heterosilicates. 2010 – 2011.
• Cody Feldhaus, Engineering of porous frameworks designed for radioactive waste sequestration. 2009-2010
• Anna Walter, Engineering of porous frameworks designed for radioactive waste sequestration. 2009-2010
• Forrest Simmons, Engineering of porous frameworks designed for radioactive waste sequestration. 2009-2010
• Shelby Rader, Engineering of porous titanium silicates designed for radioactive waste sequestration. 2008-2009

Mentoring and Outreach

• Judge: Minerals, Rocks, and Fossils. Kentucky State Science Olympiad (2007 – Present)
• Mentor: Center of Environmental and Molecular Sciences (CEMS) Undergraduate Summer Research Program (2003 – 2005)
• Mentor: Center of Environmental and Molecular Sciences (CEMS) High School Research Program (2003 – 2005)
• Mentor: Mineral Physics Institute (MPI) Summer Scholar Program (2002)
• Participant and Laboratory Guide: Stony Brook University, Long Island Geologist Regional Meeting (2001, 2002)

Teaching Experience

Instructor (Western Kentucky University)

• Introduction to Geology. GEOL 102
• The Earth. GEOL 111
• The Earth. GEOL 111 Honors
• The Earth Lab. GEOL 113
• Minerals and Rocks. GEOL 325
• Mineralogy. GEOL 330
• Optical Mineralogy. GEOL 430
• Crystallography. GEOL 432, GEOL 475 & 475G
• National Parks: Earth, Environment, and Humanity. GEOL/GEOG 475
• The Rietveld Method. GEOS 510

Instructor (CUNY Queens College)

• Introduction to Environmental Science, ENSCI 111
• Introduction to Oceanography, GEOL 008
• Earth Materials I, GEOL 201

Instructor (Brookhaven National Laboratory)

• Short seminar series on metal sequestration processes to local middle school students (2006)

Teaching Assistant (Stony Brook University)

• Physical Geology, GEO 102 (2000)
• Physical Geology Laboratory, GEO 110 (1999)

Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (University of Arizona)

• Mineralogy Laboratory, GEO306 (1998)

University Service (Western Kentucky University)

• Co-Chair for the WKU Research and Creative Activity Program, 2012 - 2014
• Department Graduate Curriculum Committee, 2011 – Present
• Geophysics Search Committee Chair, Dept. of Geography and Geology, 2011-2012
• Webpage development and maintenance for the Geology Program, 2009 – Present
• University Senate, 2009 – 2010
• University Faculty Welfare and Professional Responsibilities Committee, 2009 – 2010.
• Department Library Liaison, 2008 – Present
• Department Future Faculty Hiring Committee, 2008 – Present
• Faculty Scholarship Council, 2008 – 2009
• Member of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, 2008 – 2009
• Member of the Advanced Materials Institute, 2007 – Present
• Member of the Graduate Faculty, 2007 – Present

Analtycal Expertise

In-House Analytical Development and Experience

• Design and construction of novel environmental cells for in situ and real-time studies of crystallographic transformations in materials.
• Numerous material synthesis techniques
• Single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction
• Electron diffraction
• Thermogravametric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry/differential thermal analysis
• Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy
• Scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy
• Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
• Raman spectroscopy
• Direct current plasma spectroscopy
• Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
• Petrographic microscopy
• Glovebox sample preparation and operation
• High-pressure diamond anvil cell

National and International Laboratory Facilities Experience

Brookhaven National Laboratory, National Synchrotron Light Source

• X3B – High resolution powder diffraction
• X6B – Single crystal diffraction
• X7A – High resolution high pressure powder diffraction
• X7B – Time resolved powder diffraction
• X17B – Large volume high pressure powder diffraction
• X26A – Micro-powder diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray adsorption near edge spectroscopy

Argonne National Laboratory, Advanced Photon Source

• ChemMatCARS – High resolution micro-single crystal diffraction
• GSECARS – Single crystal diffraction
• Micromanipulator operation

Argonne National Laboratory, Intense Pulsed Neutron Source

• GPPD – Time-of-Flight neutron powder diffraction

Reactor at the National Institute of Standards and Technology

• BT-1 – monochromatic neutron powder diffraction
• Glovebox operation

Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos Neutron Science Center

• NPDF – Neutron pair distribution function

European Synchrotron Radiation Facility

• ID-11 – Micro-single crystal and powder diffraction
• Micromanipulator operation

Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, ISIS

• Polaris - High flux neutron time resolved powder diffraction

Memberships in Professional Organizations

• American Crystallographic Association
• Geochemical Society
• Mineralogical Society of America