Summary
Desiree's research, advised by Philipp Ruprecht, focuses on using mineral and whole rock geochemistry to unravel the driving mechanisms that led to the Oligocene-Miocene ignimbrite ‘flare-up’ in western North America. Her work also includes completion of a 1:24,000 scale map of a section of the Oligocene-aged Toquima Caldera Complex (TCC) in central Nevada, which refined the spatial distribution and stratigraphy of the erupted units, particularly along the caldera margins.
Additionally, Desiree serves as a Teaching Assistant for the Igneous/Metamorphic Petrology Lab, where she assists in lab instruction, supports students with their coursework, and helps manage lab materials and activities to enhance their understanding of igneous/metamorphic rock identification and analysis.
Research interests
- Igneous Petrology
- Geochemistry
- Volcanology
- Mineral scale histories
- Large silicic eruptions
- Geologic Mapping
Education
- B.S. in Geology, California State University, Long Beach, 2022
- B.A. in Consumer Affairs, California State University, Long Beach, 2019