Mentors
The faculty mentors' research encompasses a diverse array of geoscience-based subjects, ensuring that at least one ongoing project will captivate each SURF students' interest. This diversity offers a wealth of experiences in both field, lab, and modeling work.
Richard Coffin, PhD, website
Professor of Chemistry Carbon isotope geochemistry to study biogeochemical cycles in the coastal ocean and estuaries Potential summer projects: Geochemical analysis of sediment samples from the Ross Sea; Fieldwork supporting local CO2 sequestration |
J. David Felix, PhD, website
Associate Professor of Chemistry Stable isotope biogeochemistry; Transport, fate, and air-sea-land exchange processes of pollutants; stable isotope analysis method development Potential summer projects: Air-sea flux of pollutants; Nutrient source tracking; Air quality from space |
Chuntao Liu, PhD, website
Professor of Atmospheric Science Remote sensing of cloud, precipitation and severe weather Potential summer projects: Decadal variations in weather conditions at coastal stations |
Dorina Murgulet, PhD, website
Professor of Hydrogeology Physical and Contaminant Hydrogeology; Hydrology and Water Resources; Groundwater/surface water interactions; Coastal hydrogeology Potential summer projects: Water quality monitoring in unincorporated communities; Baffin Bay – geochemical modeling; Matagorda Bay area - water quality and bacteria monitoring and modeling |
Lindsay Prothro, PhD, website
Assistant Professor of Geology Ice-ocean interactions, glacial sedimentology and geomorphology, marine geology and geophysics, stratigraphy |
Travis Washburn, PhD, website
Benthic ecology, biodiversity, deep-sea environments, coastal pollution, invertebrate biology, ecosystem services, environmental regulations, oil spills, mining, estuaries, hydrothermal vents/cold seeps, nodule fields Potential summer projects: Examining sediments in Texas estuaries to explore environmental impacts of plastic and heavy-metal pollution; Collecting and examining offshore sediments around oil rigs |
Lin Zhang, PhD, website
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Compound/Position Specific Carbon and Nitrogen Isotopic Analysis in Amino Acids and Application in Oceanography and Ecology
Potential summer projects: Isolation of Amino Acids from Zooplankton Species Along the U.S. West Coast for Compound-Specific Nitrogen Isotope Studies
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Compound/Position Specific Carbon and Nitrogen Isotopic Analysis in Amino Acids and Application in Oceanography and Ecology
Potential summer projects: Isolation of Amino Acids from Zooplankton Species Along the U.S. West Coast for Compound-Specific Nitrogen Isotope Studies
