alumni reception - Syracuse Universe Department of Earth Sciences ...

the East Pacific Rise. We are also focusing on the
details of faulting in basaltic materials, fault control
of hydrothermal systems, and parameters that control
basaltic flow morphologies. One of the highlights of
the year was a fieldtrip around Iceland for our group
with co-investigator Dr. Bob Varga (Pomona College),
and undergraduates Yexary Rodriquez and Amanda
Loman.
In the coming year, we look forward to
continuing these studies and to the publication of the
results of recently completed work. Aleece (MS) and
Drew (PhD) will finish their degree work and move on
to the next stages of their careers. Matt Kissane (BS’
2010 from Union College) will be joining our group
in the fall after spending some time in the field in
Iceland.
Laura Lautz
Research in the Lautz group has ramped up
this past year with the addition of three new graduate
students who began their programs in Fall 2009.
Martin Briggs (PhD) is doing research on heat tracing
in hydrologic systems, with funding from my NSF
CAREER grant. He has developed new methods
using fiber optic Distributed Temperature Sensing
(DTS). We wrap bend-insensitive fiber optic cable
around a 2-inch rod, which is then installed in stream
sediments. Using the wrapped cable, we can measure
temperatures instantaneously every 1.5 cm along the
rod, taking measurements in vertical profile every
few minutes for weeks at a time. These detailed
temperature profiles are then used to model rates of
water flow through the subsurface. Marty is also using
a new “smart” tracer, resazurin, to measure microbial
activity in streams and their streambeds. Marty’s first
manuscript for his PhD is currently in review with
Hydrological Processes.
Tim Daniluk (MS) and Ryan Gordon (MS)
are doing research on how stream restoration projects
affect stream-groundwater interaction around
restoration structures, with funding from NSF that
started in January 2010. Billions of dollars are
spent annually on stream restoration in the U.S., but
assessments of impacts on subsurface hydrology
are practically absent. Tim and Ryan will use a
combination of heat and geochemical tracing to
determine the degree to which restoration projects
induce rapid stream-groundwater interaction. They
will also assess associated impacts on physical,
chemical, and thermal patterns in streambeds.
Preliminary results of their work were presented
at the EGU (European Geosciences Union) annual
conference in Vienna in May.
Laura and Sharon Lautz hiking – twin brother Aidan
was also along only on Dad’s back!
I continue to work on the broad research areas
of heat tracing in hydrologic systems and streamgroundwater
interactions by mentoring my graduate
students on the aforementioned projects and working
with colleagues. I recently completed a modeling
study of how non-ideal field conditions impact the
accuracy of heat tracing, work that appears in the
journal Water Resources Research. I also have several
papers co-authored with graduate students in 2010,
including a paper co-authored by Syracuse alum
Nate Kranes (MS ‘07) that appears in Hydrological
Processes.
Cathryn Newton
After eight years as Dean of the College of
Arts and Sciences, and a total of 16 consecutive years
in administration, it is thrilling to have the chance
to write and to teach as a full-time faculty member
again. I continue to teach in the Renée Crown
University Honors Program (as I did as dean). For
four iterations, I have co-developed and co-taught
a course with Honors Director and Philosophy
professor Samuel Gorovitz, “Linked Lenses: Science,
Philosophy, and the Pursuit of Knowledge”. The
fourteen students in the course do serious readings
in both science and philosophy – Gould, Margulis,