EES represents at geological conference

Students and faculty in Eastern’s Department of Environmental Earth Science (EES) attended the Northeast Geological Society of America (NE GSA) meeting in Hartford from March 21-24. 
Professors Peter Drzewiecki, Bryan Oakley, and Drew Hyatt presented findings from field research conducted with students. 

“The NE GSA meeting was a great opportunity to showcase the work being done by Eastern faculty and students in the geosciences, ranging from coastal research to investigations into dinosaur tracks in Connecticut to studying ancient Devonian landscapes in the Catskills of southeastern New York State,” said Drzewiecki. 

“NE GSA is always a great venue to showcase the work being done by EES faculty and students and share results with colleagues from across the Northeast,” said Oakley. “Conferences help us stay relevant in our field and up to date on the latest developments so we can better prepare our students for life after graduation.” 

Oakley led a group of his students and other scientists a week prior to analyze science-based conservation efforts at Napatree Point, a long sandy spit off the coast of southwestern Rhode Island. 

“It was fantastic to take other scientists to Napatree Point and share all the work we have done there over the last decade to understand how to apply our scientific research on adaptive coastal management,” he said. 

Drzewiecki and Hyatt took professional geologists and students from all over the northeastern United States  to Dinosaur State Park shortly before the conference, which is home to Connecticut’s largest accumulation of dinosaur footprints. Hyatt explained how the diverse array of researchers at the park, ranging from professionals to undergraduates, pulled an eclectic mix of information that could be presented at the conference. 

“The data included overviews of the discovery and public use of Dinosaur State Park, the context for this site in relation to the geologic history of Connecticut, examinations of the more than 750 tracks under the park dome, and discussion of new 3D modelling techniques that have been used to build and analyze highly detailed digital models and replicas of the tracks,” said Hyatt. 

Drzewiecki additionally served the conference as editor of the field guidebook associated with all the trips associated with the conference, co-chair of a technical session, and a co-author on four technical presentations. 

“My involvement in planning the meeting this year keeps Eastern at the forefront of stewarding geoscience research and education in the state of Connecticut,” said Drzewiecki. “It was rewarding to meet up with colleagues old and new, share research progress, and generate new ideas.”