Undergraduate Research
EEPS faculty participate in interdisciplinary research exploring the physical, chemical, and biological domains of the Earth and other planetary bodies. Every year, a variety of opportunities exist for undergraduate research in the fields of geology, environmental science, and planetary geology. Students are encouraged to contact individual faculty with questions about current research opportunities. Most faculty will create and tailor a research project to student’s particular interests.
Opportunities
Please reach out to a faculty member below who is connected with the area of research that interests you.
| Science Field | Specialty | Faculty (link to email / websites) |
|---|---|---|
| Earth Science | Aqueous Geochemistry | Annette Summers Engel Elizabeth M. Herndon Linda Kah Anna Szynkiewicz |
| Paleontology & Paleobiology | Jacob Benner Stephanie Drumheller-Horton Dan Hembree Alycia L. Stigall Colin Sumrall | |
| Petrology & Mineralogy, High Temperature Geochemistry | Nick Dygert Shichun Huang Molly McCanta | |
| Sedimentology & Stratigraphy | Christopher M. Fedo Dan Hembree Linda Kah Alycia L. Stigall Colin Sumrall | |
| Geoscience Education | Robert Jacobsen | |
| Environmental Science | Ecology | Michael L. McKinney Alycia L. Stigall |
| Geomicrobiology | Annette Summers Engel Andrew Steen | |
| Water Science & Quality | Annette Summers Engel Elizabeth M. Herndon Shichun Huang Michael L. McKinney Anna Szynkiewicz | |
| Planetary Science | Mars | Christopher M. Fedo Linda Kah Molly McCanta Jeff Moersch Anna Szynkiewicz Bradley Thomson |
| Moon | Nick Dygert Molly McCanta Jeff Moersch Bradley Thomson | |
| Remote Sensing | Jeff Moersch |
Tennessee Space Grant Consortium (https://tsgc.utk.edu/) at UT has funding to support undergraduate research in planetary geoscience fields relevant to the earth and space-sciences, broadly defined, including (but not limited to) terrestrial analogs, early earth environments, or astrobiology. Additionally, research stipends are often available to pay for (partial) costs of conducting research, traveling to field sites or to do analytical work or to make conference presentations, or publishing the research. For more information contact Prof. Nick Dygert (ndygert1@utk.edu) or Dr. Robert Jacobsen (rjacobse@vols.utk.edu).
Otto Kopp Research Awards honor the memory of former professor Otto Kopp and his dedication to undergraduate research. Funding is often available to support on-campus research of EEPS undergraduate students. For more information contact Prof. Brad Thomson (bthom@utk.edu). Click here for more information.
Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships provides funds for stipends and lab/field supplies to undergraduate students who desire to work with an individual faculty. Click here for more information.
