I am currently working on several projects. Most of my projects are in the fields of Metamorphic Petrology, Igneous Petrology, Tectonics, and Environmental Assessment:
- Petrology and Geochemistry in Portugal
- Volcanic Ashes and Hydrothermal veining in the Alleghany Plateau
- Petrology, Geochemistry, and Structural Geology of Ultramafic Rocks
- Petrology, Geochemistry, and Structural Geology of Pegmatites
- Petrology, Geochemistry, and Structural Geology of Granites
- Structural Geology of Large Fracture Zones in the Allegheny Plateau
- Environmental Assessment and Remediation
Current Students
- Jessica Hollan (graduating in Spring 27):
- Petrogenesis of piedmont pegmatite intrusions in southeastern Pennsylvania
- I'm always looking for more students interested in research!
Research Group Alumni
- Isabelle Boyer (graduated in Spring 25): "Examination of regional coal refuse piles as a potential source of Rare Earth Elements"
- Attending graduate school at Western Michigan University
- Chris Howard (graduated in Spring 25): "Examination of the geochemistry and geochronology of Paleozoic volcanic ash layers in New Paris, PA to understand the building of the Appalachians."
- Resource Geologist at New Enterprise Stone and Lime
- Aleya Shreckengost (graduated in Fall 24): "Low temperature hydrothermal flourite and calcite veining: Geochemistry and Fluid Inclusion Microthermometry"
- Attending graduate school at West Virginia University
- Shane Sikora (graduated in Spring 22): "The Petrology and Tectonic significance of the Lima Granodioritic Body, Lima, Pennsylvania"
- Park Ranger at Keystone State Park, Derry, PA
- Susan Ma (graduated in Fall 20): "The Petrogenesis and Characterization of the Lima Granodioritic Body, Lima, Pennsylvania"
- Working for Lampire Biological Laboratories in Everett, PA
- Kyle Sarver (graduated Spring 20):Thesis Title: "The Geophysical and Petrological Examination of the Lima and Newtown Square Ultramafic Bodies."
- Working for Keystone Environmental in Hollidaysburg, PA
- Olivia Wolff (graduated Spring 18):Thesis Title: "Serpentinization of the Unionville Serpentine Barrens: A Geochemical and Petrographic Study."
- Completed a MS at Ohio University
- Working for the Friends of the Nevada Wilderness, Reno, NV
- Ben Shirley (graduated Spring 18): Thesis Title: "Investigating the Origin of Pegmatite Dikes in Unionville, Pennsylvania and the Geochemical Interactions with Surrounding Serpentinites."
- Now mudlogging fracking drill sites in Oklahoma
- Sam Louderback (graduated Fall 17): Thesis Title: "Snaking Through the Pennsylvania Piedmont: Serpentinites of Southern Pennsylvania."
- Now working for PA Department of Environmental Protection in Williamsport PA
- Lorin Simboli (graduated Spring 17): Thesis Title: "Petrographic and Geochemical Evidence for the Tectonic Origin of the Bells Mill Road Ultramafic Body of Southeastern PA."
- Now working for a Materials Engineering company in Georgia
- Courtney Hunsinger (graduated Spring 17): Thesis Title: "Determining the Origin of Granodiorites in the Pennsylvanian Piedmont using Geochemical and Petrographic Methods."
- Now working for an oil company
- Kris Miller (graduated Fall 16): Thesis Title: "Petrological, geochemical and structural investigation of alteration zones in the Youngsford Road ultramafic body, Southeastern PA."
- Now working for the Federal Govt doing environmental work in California
Top images (left to right): Geologic Map of the Youngsford Road ultramfic body; field work at Bells Mill Road with Ryan Kerrigan, Loring Simboli, and Sam Louderback; XPL image of orthopyroxene altering to anthophyllite; Secondary electron image of relict olivine altering to serpentine; field contact between the Bells Mill granodiorite and the Wissahickon schist; trace element chemical discrimination diagram for serpentinites. Copyright © 2025 Ryan Kerrigan (last updated May 2025)