About Us

Mitchell Casazza is a masters student focused on calcite U-Pb dating and microstructural analysis in the Sawtooth fold and thrust belt in Montana. His research aims to constrain timing of multiple generations of deformation in relation to major regional thrusts in the Sawtooths, as well as improve in-situ calcite dating techniques via LA-HR-ICP-MS. Mitchell is also the curator of mineral separation laboratories for UTchron.

Sarah O’Leary is a MS student interested in mineralogy and hard rock geochemistry with a focus on laboratory techniques. She is working with Dr. Richard Ketcham on “Nondestructive Volumetric Characterization of Zircon in Support of Detrital Geochronology”. Her project focuses on characterizing zircon grains in 3D using X-ray Computed Tomography (CT), which nondestructively provides data on shape (including euhedrality, roundness, brokenness, etc.), composition, and structure (e.g., radiation damage). She has previous experience working on metamorphic petrology and analyzing garnets to make pressure-temperature phase diagrams. She has previous lab experience working with scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Her goal is to acquire as much laboratory experience and learning various techniques to work in a laboratory. 

Jenny Le is a 3rd year undergraduate general geology major. Her interests include REE analysis and geochemistry. She is currently working under Daniel Stockli as a mineral separator for UTChron. She is currently enrolled in the fall ICP-MS class to develop laboratory skills that include data collection and processing.