People

Catherine Schmidt is a fourth year undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology and a Certificate in Environmental Science and Sustainability. Catherine’s interests include geochemistry as it relates to both volcanology and archaeological research. She is also fascinated by the preservation of the outdoors and the role humans have in connecting with the natural world through environmental research.

Currently, I am working on my undergraduate thesis in which I am studying the pre- and post-eruption volcanic characteristics of the Valles Caldera area in New Mexico. This research is conducted under Jackson School of Geoscience’s Dr. James Gardner and graduate student, Nick Meszaros. Through this, I am hoping to investigate if this volcanic system operates as a cycle where the magma resets to pre-super-eruptive conditions.

IX. Biography of investigators

Experience includes exposure to LA-ICP-MS sample preparation for Jackson School of Geoscience Honors thesis. The summer of 2021 involved hands-on research separating zircon grains by heavy liquids (bromoform and methylene) and Frantz magnetic separation. Through this process, all zircons have been properly removed from non-zircon grains. Zircon grains are ready to be polished and adhered to a thin section. Summer experience included focusing on Valles Caldera literature and compiling a bibliography so as to not repeat established geochemical research results. Further, I wrote and received an undergraduate research grant proposal to fund the data acquisition of this zircon project.