Awards and Fellowships Honor Geophysics’ Best

Geophysics Department Awards Honor Best of 2024

Ethan Deal

John C. Hollister Award

George R. Pickett Memorial Award

E-days Engineer Award 

Since my sophomore year, I’ve been actively involved with the Society of Student Geophysicists, eventually rising to the role of president this year. My engagement with the student community also includes serving as a Resident Advisor for two years, specifically within the Athleticism and Wellness themed learning community in the Traditional Halls. My academic pursuits have led me to participate in undergraduate research with the Reservoir Characterization Project (RCP), collaborating on two projects with the Department of Energy (DOE) and Los Alamos National Laboratories (LANL), focusing on carbon capture initiatives. This May, I’m set to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Geophysics and have already embarked on my Master’s degree with RCP since January, working on identifying sweet spots in the Permian Basin.

Receiving the Hollister, Pickett, and E-Days Engineer awards is an honor that I deeply appreciate. The support and camaraderie within the department have been pivotal to my journey. Whenever I faced challenges with homework or had career-related inquiries, the faculty have consistently shown a willingness to go above and beyond, always making time to provide guidance and support. Their dedication is truly remarkable, extending well beyond their obligations. Similarly, my fellow students have been nothing short of inspiring—hard-working, inquisitive, and fervently passionate about our field. It’s this unique environment of our department that has been instrumental in my achievements. I couldn’t have reached this point without the collective spirit and support that define our community.

Yanhua Liu

Harold Mendenhall GP Prize

Yanhua Liu graduated in August 2023, and now works as a research geophysicist at Shell.

Said Liu, “I am deeply honored to receive this prestigious award. The PhD journey at CSM was challenging, but very rewarding.  I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to my advisor, Dr. Ilya Tsvankin, for being an incredible mentor. I am also thankful for the support from the faculty, friends, and staff in the department. This recognition inspires me to delve deeper into my research interests and strive for excellence in Geophysics.”

Dani Vonlembke 

Cecil H. Green Award

Dani Vonlembke  graduated in December 2023, and now works as a data scientists at ICR, Inc., in Virginia.

Said Vonlembke, “I am very grateful to the department for the knowledge I gained and the people I met along the way. I loved the opportunities I had to get involved with the department to make connections and pass on my love for geophysics to others. After graduating in December 2023, I took my geophysics knowledge and moved to Virginia to work for a defense company, ICR, Inc., where I am a data scientist working with satellite imagery.”

Pablo Chang Huang 

George T. Merideth Award in Early Leadership 

T.K. Young Leadership Award 

I am a graduating senior in Geophysical Engineering with a Minor in Data Science. Throughout my academic journey, I have strived not only to excel academically but also to cultivate meaningful connections with my peers, teaching assistants, lecturers, and professors. Engaging in undergraduate research through Mines Undergraduate Research MURF has provided me with invaluable opportunities to collaborate with faculty and students from the Geology and Environmental Engineering departments. Most recently, I have been working on an interesting MURF project with Dr. Eileen Martin, facilitating interactions and connections between the Geology and Geophysical Engineering departments for a unified outcome.

Beyond my academic pursuits, I have been deeply involved in fostering community development within the department and campus at large. Since my freshman year, I have been an active member of the International Student Council (ISC), currently serving as the Vice President for International Undergraduates. Over the past four years, ISC has expanded its oversight to encompass more international student organizations, established a clear events schedule for future committees, and enhanced its connection with international students to address various concerns, including housing, academics, advisory, and celebrations. Additionally, in my role as Vice President of the Society of Student Geophysicists, I have organized meetings and meaningful events aimed at providing younger students with networking opportunities, guidance, outreach, and community building experiences.

I am truly honored to receive these awards, and I want to thank the exceptional support and opportunities provided by the faculty, staff, students, and all those involved in the Geophysics Department. Embracing leadership positions during my time at Mines has allowed me to contribute significantly to the development of a stronger scientific and human community. I am grateful for the opportunities I have encountered at Mines, which have enabled me to expand my knowledge and apply it to initiatives aimed at promoting diverse representations and inclusivity. Psychological research has shown that diverse and inclusive environments foster efficient and innovative thinking in scientific settings. Therefore, I am committed to continuing my engagement in activities and groups that support diversity and inclusiveness within both university and work environments. With this commitment in mind, I am excited to continue my academic journey with a master’s program at the University of British Columbia in the Geophysical Inversion Facility, under the guidance of Dr. Lindsey Heagy starting in September 2024.

Hussain Alfaraj 

Phillip R. Romig Award 

At the department and Mines, I participated in various activities including presenting research at the AGU conference that was based on some of the Field Camp data. Additionally, I was involved in extracurricular activities, being an active member of the tennis club, and the Saudi Student Association. After graduating, I will be starting my career with Saudi Aramco as an exploration geophysicist.

Receiving this award is a tremendous honor for me. I am deeply grateful to the department faculty for recognizing my efforts in field geophysics. I would also like to extend a special thanks to the faculty for piquing my interest in geophysics during the summer field camp and throughout my years at Mines.

Khalid Almuteri 

Harold Mendenhall Geophysics Prize – PhD 

Khalid Almuteri graduated in December 2023 and now works as a Senior Geophysicist at Saudi Aramco.

Said Almuteri, “It is an honor to get such recognition from the Geophysics Department, which wouldn’t have been possible without the help and support of many people, including my family, my advisor, and the faculty and staff at CSM.”

Jared Low

Harold Mendenhall GP Prize – MSc 

Salem Bin Zaqr 

Outstanding Graduating Senior Award

During my time at Mines, I was actively involved in both academic and extracurricular activities. I had the privilege of collaborating with peers and faculty to co-author and co-present a research paper at the 2023 AGU conference, representing our Department of Geophysics. This role also involved staffing the Mines booth, where I engaged with attendees and highlighted our department’s contributions. Also, I attended various seminars and lectures across the departments of Geophysics, Geology, and Petroleum Engineering. Additionally, I was a proud member of the Society of Student Geophysicists club, where I engaged in some club activities. Beyond my academic pursuits, I held a management position in the Saudi Student Association, contributing to event planning and execution.

Next year, I am excited to start on a new chapter as an Exploration Geophysicist with Saudi Aramco. This opportunity marks a significant milestone in my professional journey, and I look forward to applying the knowledge and skills I have acquired at Mines in a real-world context.

Receiving the Outstanding Graduating Senior award is a great honor that I could not have achieved without the unwavering support and guidance of the Department of Geophysics’ faculty, my peers, and the broader Mines community. I extend my deepest gratitude to all my professors, who have been instrumental in my academic and personal growth. Their dedication, expertise, and encouragement have not only shaped my academic journey but have also prepared me for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the professional world. This award is a testament to the collaborative spirit and excellence that define our department and Mines at large.