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Current CHIVES Research Students
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Sabrina Ansari
In Progress: M.S. Geology I have been obsessed with volcanoes ever since I was in elementary school. Growing up in Oklahoma, we didn't have much to explore in this area. Along the way I was able to move to Los Angeles, California and fell in love with geology. I started school at Pasadena City College and transferred to California State University, Long Beach. Throughout my academic career I have always found a way to steer my studies towards volcanology. I am interested in how volcanoes form, how changes in eruption compositions and styles correlate to what is happening under the surface, and anything in between. I am so honored to be a part of the team here at Central and wish I could tell my younger self that dreams do come true. |
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Hailey Finch
In Progress: M.S. Geology I'm from Montana and I completed my BS degree in geology right next door to Yellowstone National Park at Montana State University. I fell in love with geology and research during several summers of field work in Yellowstone and during my own research into its most recent supereruption. Broadly speaking, my research interests are to understand the evolution of volcanic systems using geochemistry and geo/thermochronology. I am delighted to be here in Washington where the volcanoes are young and active to continue pursuing research and to fall in love with geology all over again. |
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Yusei O'Leary
In Progress: M.S. Geology As a Washington native, volcanoes have always been on the horizon. I’ve always loved the sciences, but I wasn’t introduced to the field of geology until my undergrad at Central Washington University; I was hooked. Soon after becoming a major, I joined the CHIVES research group, where I became captivated by what drives volcanic systems. I am especially interested in the processes that unfold before and after eruptions, and how petrographic and geochemical analyses can be used to reconstruct magmatic histories; it's like peering back in time with a subsurface periscope! I’m grateful to be back at CWU and with CHIVES as a graduate student, and I’m excited to see where our research will lead. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with friends and community, whether that's with the CWU Geology Club, playing team sports, hiking, gaming, or just hanging out. I also enjoy drawing and reading during quieter moments. |
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Julie Wake
In Progress: B.S. Geology After receiving my Associate Degree at Yakima Valley College, I transferred to Central Washington University where I am now working towards earning a Bachelor’s of Science Degree and majoring in geology. I am an avid rockhound and hiker and studying geology seems to make perfect sense. I am fascinated with many aspects of geology, specifically volcanoes and igneous rocks. In my spare time I also love to spend time with my three sons, go camping, backpacking, and I have a passion for photography. My research will be using geochemistry to determine what lies under the Goat Rocks Volcanic Cluster in order to understand how the basement rock influences the magma. I study thin sections of the basalt cobbles found in the Devils Horns rhyolite and compare them to other local basalts to help us identify which ones are present. It’s thrilling to be a part of the CHIVES team and I look forward to what lies ahead! |
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Jess Maynard
In Progress: B.S. Geology I’m originally from New Mexico and am lucky to come from a family who values the outdoors and who, since I was a kid, instilled and fostered my curiosity of the natural world. Though I grew up as engrossed in science as possible and as an avid leaverite rock collector, I never actually realized I could turn such passions and interests into a profession or that it was possible to build a career centered around the things I love. After an accidental life in retail management and similar, I had the chance to follow my heart, my dreams, and my love for science and nature and couldn’t let the opportunity pass me by. I’m now at CWU working on a postbaccalaureate in geology and, from here, hope to head immediately to grad school where I hope to continue to build a future in research and geochemistry. I love the path my life is on and I can’t wait to see what the future holds. I’m so glad I made this decision and I’m so grateful to have such wonderful advisors, mentors, and friends beside me on this journey. |
CHIVES Alumni
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James Genero IV
B.S. Geology 2025 Now Research Intern through EarthScope Consortium at the USGS-Cascades Volcano Observatory My research interests are in the pre-eruptive conditions and petrogenesis of erupted mafic lavas within volcanic fields. At CWU, I've completed a project which determined the eruption initiation timing via Fe-Mg interdiffusion chronometry across clinopyroxene zones from the Goat Rocks area. My last project at Central was determining the pressure, temperature and water content of different volcanic units in the Goat Rocks Area via mineral thermometry using Thermobar. My current research project, at the Cascades Volcano Observatory is to determine the petrogenesis and the magma storage conditions of three different erupted units at the West Crater Volcanic Field in Southern Washington. For this, I will utilize thin section analysis, whole rock geochemistry, MELTS Modeling and Magma Chamber Simulator. Outside of work, I enjoy being amongst the mountains, spending the night playing video games or watching cheesy science fiction movies. Recipient of SOURCE Undergraduate Research Award, 2025 |
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Desireé Cunningham
M.S. Geology 2024 Personal website Now a Geologist at Kentucky Geological Survey I have always been fascinated by the field of geology, specifically by structural geology and volcanology. I earned my BS in geology from Mississippi State University where I feel in love with tectonic processes through structural geology research. I dove into my MS determined to learn as much as I could about my other obsession, volcanoes. I am currently using a variety of geochemical analytical techniques to determine timescales for magmatic process proceeding eruptions, specifically the 9.8 ka Sulphur Creek eruption at Koma Kulshan (Mt. Baker), WA. When I am not in the field or in the lab, I enjoy hiking, camping, and dancing. When it’s a cloudy day, you can catch me inside with a good book in my hand. Recipient of Dale and Mary Jo Comstock Distinguished Thesis Award, 2024 |
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Emily Yoder
M.S. Geology 2024 Personal website Now a PhD student at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology I am interested in eruption timescales and the processes that drive volcanic eruptions, as well as hazard communication and GIS applications in geology. My current research focuses on estimating and comparing eruption initiation timescales for three relatively recent lava flows from Koma Kulshan (Mt. Baker). I earned my B.S. in Geology and Geography (GIS) from Central Michigan University before moving out to Washington to pursue volcanology. Outside of school, you'll find me running around as an assistant coach with the local high school cross country team, hiking, baking, or unwinding with a good book. |
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Laura Taylor (Taylor)
B.S. Geology 2024 I’m a returning student to CWU, having originally graduated with a B.A. in Theatre Arts in 2019. While spending a summer doing seasonal work in Wyoming, I became fascinated with and fell in love with the dynamic processes of geology and volcanology and am now pursuing a B.S. in Geology. My research this year has focused on analyzing quartz crystals from Lava Creek Tuff from Yellowstone to estimate eruption timescales. When not in school, I also enjoy hiking, knitting, and writing. Recipient of SOURCE Undergraduate Research Award, 2024 |
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Kathryn Josten
B.S. Geology 2023 Now a Staff Geologist at GeoEngineers I am performing grayscale analysis on crystals from the Swift Creek Lava Flow of Koma Kulshan to better understand the accuracy of grayscale methods (as well as eruption triggers/timings for more effective hazard assessments). Encouraged and inspired by my grandfather and his lifelong career in geology, I have had a passionate curiosity for the natural world around me for as long as I can remember. My specific interests are in igneous petrology and teaching. I am beyond excited to be satiating some of those desires here with CHIVES. When I'm not TAing for my department or doing research, you can find me hiking, biking, gardening, or camping in my Eurovan. Josten K. (2023) Using gray scale image analysis to determine the timing of the Swift Creek eruption, Koma Kulshan (Mt. Baker), WA. SOURCE Conference, Central Washington University, WA. Recipient of Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award, Department of Geological Sciences, 2023 |
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Marcus Ashton
B.S. Geology 2023 Now a Stream Technician at Mid Columbia Fisheries I use high temperature furnaces in hopes to recreate melting environments for minerals and mineral compounds. My current research focuses on calibrating the high temperature furnace with a mineral compound with a known melting temperature, that being NaCl. These calibration experiments will help CHIVES students in the future with finding the melting point of other minerals and/or mineral assemblages in volcanic rock. I obtained my Associates of Science – Geology, at Centralia College where my love for the Cascadia Subduction Zone Volcanic Arc truly blossomed. I now call Kittitas Valley my home for scientific and nature exploration. |