Research Group

I've worked with great groups of undergraduate researchers at Montana State, the University of Arizona, and Idaho State on projects from the Beartooth Mountains of Montana to the Malargüe basin of Argentina.

I am now building a research group at the University of Calgary, and I am recruiting M.Sc. and Ph.D. students to work on the tectonic and sedimentary evolution the Andes and Canadian Rockies.

Funded M.Sc. and Ph.D. positions are available for September 2027 — see Join the Group for projects, funding, and how to get in touch.

Previous students

At Idaho State University I mentored four undergraduate researchers, who worked on assessing Mesozoic terrane accretion and translation in Chile using the forearc basin record.

Parker Hazelbush

(B.S. 2026)

Parker is a Senior at ISU in the Geology major. He recently conducted fieldwork in South America and is working on interpreting the evolution of Mesozoic deep water deposits in coastal Chile using field-based sedimentology and his paleontological expertise (see some spectacular crinoids if you zoom in on his hand specimen above). He's interested in entering the mining industry following completion of his degree.

Amarissa Cramer

(Anticipated BS Spring 2027)

Amarissa is a Junior in the Geology major at ISU. She recently dated zircons from Mesozoic sandstones in Chile via U-Pb geochronology at the University of Arizona LaserChron Center, and she's working on assessing what they can tell us about the history of terrane accretion (or lack thereof) along the western margin of South America. She's interested in pursuing a Masters in geosciences and gaining more international experience in the field.

Tiana Hursh

(Anticipated BS Spring 2027)

Tiana is a Junior at ISU in the Geological Engineering major. She conducted fieldwork in South America in winter 2025/2026 and is now preparing zircon for LA-ICP-MS analysis at ISU on our new triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. She'll be presenting her results at ISU RCWS 2026 and GSA Connects 2026. Tiana is interested in pursuing graduate study in geosciences and working on engineering solutions to groundwater challenges.

Photos of current and former students in action.

Robbie Mantha changing a flat tire on a field vehicle — MSU SUR student Robbie Mantha won't let a flat tire stop him from getting to the outcrop!

Tiana showing off her Christmas doodle at field camp — Tiana is proud of her Christmas doodle!

Christmas celebration at the los Molles field camp — A very merry los Molles Christmas, thanks to Tiana!

Group photo of the ISU team with Stanford collaborators Steve Graham and Steve Dobbs — Tiana, Parker, Kurt, and I with Stanford collaborators Steve Graham and Steve Dobbs (Steve^2)

MSU SUR students examining a large block of blueschist — MSU SUR students getting up close and personal with a block of blueschist.

Dom D'amato mapping in the Highland Mountains of Montana — MSU mentee Dom D'amato maps the structure of the Highland Mountains, MT.

Parker swinging a rock hammer at an outcrop — Parker demonstrating the correct use of a geologic rock hammer

Tiana and Parker hiking in the High Andes — Tiana and Parker in the High Andes

Chris Kussmaul fly fishing a mountain stream during fieldwork — MSU field assistant Chris Kussmaul takes a break from sampling to catch a trout on the fly.

Field camp students gathered around an outcrop — MSU and Indiana University field camp students explore an outcrop.

Parker and Chance with Chilean collaborators Ismael Murillo and María Rodríguez — Parker and I with Chilean collaborators Ismael Murillo and María Rodríguez

Faisal Sabor's research poster at GSA Connects — UA mentee Faisal Sabor's poster was presented at GSA Connects. Good job Faisal!

Tiana and Parker measuring a stratigraphic section of the Los Molles Formation — Tiana and Parker measuring the Los Molles Formation

Field camp students studying folded rocks in the Tobacco Root Mountains — MSU and Indiana University field camp students find some structure in the Tobacco Root mountains.

MSU SUR students in the Great Valley forearc basin.

Saré Campbell separating zircon in the lab — MSU mentee Saré Campbell separating zircon.

Chris Kussmaul hiking across the Beartooth Plateau, Montana — MSU field assistant Chris Kussmaul in search of Archean gneiss on the Beartooth Plateau, MT.

Amarissa climbing on mylonitic rock in the Catalina core complex — Amarissa enjoying the mylonites of the Catalina core complex!

Tiana with field assistant Santiago — Tiana with our field assistant, Santiago

Group selfie at a campsite in the High Andes — Selfie at our campsite in the High Andes

Tiana holding locos, a Chilean seafood — Tiana with her favorite seafood---Locos!

Parker and Tiana herding goats in the High Andes