Bethany D. Rinard, Ph.D.

Education

Ph.D. – Geological Sciences (Geophysics), 2004. Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas. 

Emphasis –Volcanic Seismology; Volcanology

Dissertation:  Structure of Kilauea’s Southwest Rift and Western South Flank Defined by Relocated Earthquakes.

Committee:  Dr. Eugene Herrin; Dr. Paul Okubo (USGS); Dr. Brian Stump; Dr. David Blackwell; Dr. Robert Gregory

 

M.S. - Geology, 1995.  Baylor University, Waco, Texas.

Thesis:  A Geophysical Study of the Ouachita Trend, Central Texas.

 

B.S. - Geology, 1993.  Baylor University, Waco, Texas.

Thesis:  Geology and Geochemistry of the Los Mogotes Volcano, San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

 

Employment

September 2008 to present:  Associate Professor of Geosciences (with tenure), Tarleton State University

September 2001 to August 2008:  Assistant Professor of Geosciences, Tarleton State University

January 1996 to August 2001:  Instructor of Geosciences, Tarleton State University

Teaching- and research-related activities

·         Teach lecture and laboratory courses toward 4 tracks of Bachelor of Science degrees in Geosciences: Geology, Earth Science, Environmental Science, and Composite Science – Earth Science Emphasis (Secondary Education).

·         Typical teaching load: 12-14 hours/semester (3-4 lectures, 2-4 labs)

·         Superior teaching evaluations and performance reviews.

·         Academic advisor for freshman and sophomore geoscience majors.

·         Developed 4 courses: Environmental Techniques, Volcano Studies in Hawaii, Volcanoes, and Natural Disasters.

·         Transformed existing Subsurface Methods course into an introductory geophysics course.

·         Wrote lab manual for Natural Disasters course.

·         In the early stages of writing Historical Geology textbook for Pearson/Prentice Hall publishers.

·         Completed all PhD coursework, research, and dissertation while teaching 6-12 hours per semester.

·         Conducted research with U.S.G.S. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and a collaborator in France.

·         Developed and ran trip “Volcano Studies in Hawaii” – 1996-1999, 2001-02, 2004-05, and 2007.

·         Conducted research with Soil Sciences students and faculty at Capulin Volcano National Monument, 2007.

Service-related Activities

·         Department representative on College of Science and Technology Curriculum Committee, 2003-07

·         College of Science and Technology representative on University Curriculum Committee, 2005-07.

·         Member of Editorial Committee for University Curriculum Committee, 2006-07.

·         Member of Library Committee, 2002-2008.

·         Member of the university’s Center for Diversity Initiatives advisory board, 2005-present.

·         Chair of university-level Speaker Symposium [Lecture Series] Committee, 2007-present.  Annual budget: $10,000.

·         Sponsor of Tarleton Geological Society, student geology club since 1996.

·         Presentations for numerous school and community (Boy/Girl Scout) groups, including Badge Days with Scouts.

·         Involvement in K-12 outreach programs

        Multiple duties at Tarleton Regional Science Olympiad Competitions: 2003-09

        “Expanding Your Horizons” program for girls, exposure to women in science and engineering careers: 2003, 2005-07

        “Earth and Sky Day” for 4^th graders, 2002-04

·         Tarleton State University chapter of Sigma Xi, Scientific Research Society

        Secretary 2003-2005

        President-Elect 2006-07

        President 2007-08

        Past President 2008-09

 

August 1993-May 1995:  Graduate Teaching Assistant, Baylor University, Waco, Texas.

·         Taught labs for undergraduate and graduate courses (Earthquakes and Volcanoes, Igneous Petrology, Exploration Seismology).

·         Served as faculty-appointed president of Baylor Geological Society for 2 years (1992-1994).

·         Organized buses, meals, and workers for 4 freshman field trips (involving 500 freshmen) per semester. 

·         Analyst for Baylor’s Keck Seismological Observatory before observatory was decommissioned in 1994.

 

May 1993-August 1993:  Geologist, GS-5, United States Geological Survey, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

·         Internship obtained through National Association of Geology Teachers cooperative program.

·         Assigned to Geology Group at the volcano observatory.

·         Collected lava samples and field data, and performed field reconnaissance in a hazardous environment.

·         Performed basic laboratory research for bubble nucleation study.

·         Received basic USGS helicopter safety training.

 

August 1991-May 1993: Teaching Assistant and Geology Library Assistant, Baylor University, Waco, Texas.

·         Assisted Geology Library patrons in finding material and check out; cataloged and shelved books, references.

·         Teaching assistant in self-paced Physical Geology course.  (Available to answer questions and give exams.)

 

Software, Tools and Techniques Used

Basic field mapping tools

Hand-held GPS

ArcGIS v.9.0 and 9.2

Limited Matlab

Surfer

Limited Perl

hypoDD

Cross-Correlation codes

X-ray fluorescence

Microsoft Office products

Limited website design

Familiarity with Unix/Linux

Courses Taught, 1996-2008

*Indicates courses taught on a regular rotating basis.

 

Earthquakes

Environmental Field Techniques

Environmental Science

Historical Geology*

Introduction to Field Geology

Introduction to GIS*

Natural Disasters*

Physical Geology*

Physical Science Survey* (teacher prep course)

Structural Geology*

Subsurface Methods* (Intro to Geophysics)

Volcanoes

Volcano Studies in Hawaii* (10-day field trip)

Research/Career Interests

Volcano crisis assistance in the U.S. and abroad

Public education in areas of volcanic and seismic threat

Volcano and earthquake hazard assessment

Geophysical phenomena related to volcanic eruptions

 

Professional Memberships