Graduate Students
Tyler Irvin
MS Student, Geology
Advisor: Dr. James Faulds
Tyler Irvin's M.S. research investigates recent changes within the Steamboat Springs geothermal system in Reno, NV, including newly formed thermal features at the Lower Sinter Terrace. His work integrates continuous conductivity monitoring as a proxy for geothermal discharge, water and gas geochemistry, stable isotopes, and reactive geochemical modeling to evaluate fluid sources, mixing processes, and potential subsurface connections between springs, wells, and active fissures. By combining modern observations with historical records, the project aims to improve understanding and monitoring of dynamic geothermal systems.
tylerirvin at unr.edu
Nada Mareechi Jacinto
MS Student, Geology
Advisor: Dr. James Faulds
Multidisciplinary Assessment of a Potential Hidden Geothermal System: Insights from northeastern Reese River Valley, north-central Nevada
nadamareechij at unr.edu
Marina Pokorny
MS Student, Geology
Advisor: Dr. James Faulds
Characterizing the deep geothermal reservoir potential of the Mary's River Basin in northeastern Nevada through the Data-Basin project.
mpokorny at unr.edu
Recent Graduates
Nicole Wagoner
PhD Geology, 2026
Advisor: Dr. James Faulds
Multi-Scale Evaluation of Geothermal Resource Potential in the Great Basin Region Through Improved Play Fairway Workflows
nwagoner at unr.edu
Ian Adams
MS Geology, 2026
Advisor: Dr. James Faulds
Analysis of a Potential Hidden Geothermal System in the Granite Mountain-Buena Vista Valley Area, Pershing County, Nevada
Mary Hannah Giddens
MS Geology, 2024
Advisor: Dr. James Faulds
Thesis Analysis of Favorable Structural Settings and Step-Overs in Normal Fault Systems in the Great Basin Region: Implications for Geothermal Exploration and Development
mgiddens at unr.edu
Quentin Burgess
MS Geology, 2024
Advisor: Dr. James Faulds
Characterization and Analysis of a Potential Hidden Geothermal Resource in the Jersey Summit Area, Pershing, and Lander Counties, North-Central Nevada
Connor Smith
MS Geology, 2021
Advisor: Dr. James Faulds
Machine learning techniques applied to the Nevada geothermal play fairway analysis
Kurt Kraal
PhD Geology
Advisor: Dr. Bridget Ayling
Hyperspectral characterization of geothermal reservoirs: case studies from Nevada, USA
kokraal at nevada.unr.edu
Nolan Dellerman
MS Geology, 2021
Advisor: Dr. James Faulds
Evaluating the geothermal potential of the Desert Queen geothermal system, Nevada
nolan.dellerman at cyrqenergy.com
Jason Craig
MS Geology 2018
Advisor: Dr. James Faulds
Geothermal Play Fairway analysis as applied to Granite Springs Valley, NV
jasoncraig360 at gmail.com
Holly McLachlan
PhD Geology, 2018
Advisor: Dr. James Faulds
Stratigraphy, structure, and fluid flow at the Soda Lake geothermal field, western Nevada
hmclachlan1 at gmail.com
Emma McConville
MS Geology 2018
Advisor: Dr. James Faulds
Geothermal Play Fairway analysis as applied to Crescent Valley, NV
egmcconville at gmail.com
Andrew Sadowski
MS Student, Geology 2016
Advisor: Dr. James Faulds
Structural controls of the Black Warrior geothermal system, Truckee Range, Washoe County, Nevada
andrew.j.sadowski at gmail.com
Kyle Basler-Reeder
MS Geophysics, 2015
Advisor: Dr. John Louie
Joint optimization of vertical component gravity and p-wave first arrivals by simulated annealing at the San Emidio geothermal field
metaheurist at gmail.com
Danielle Molisee
MS Geology, 2015
Advisor: Dr. John Bell
Structural and temporal constraints at Buffalo Valley Hot Springs and proximal young volcanics, north-central, Nevada
dmolisee at mail.usf.edu
Corina Forson
MS Geology, 2014
Advisor: Dr. James Faulds
Prospecting for a geothermal system in the Seven Troughs Range using structural geology and magnetotelluric data
Lyndsay Hazelwood
MS Geology, 2014
Advisor: Dr. Patricia Cashman
Structural controls on the geothermal field at Gerlach, Washoe County, Nevada
Stefano Benato
PhD Geological Engineering, 2014
Advisor: Dr. Greg Pohll
Investigation into fracture network permeability evolution and reservoir responses to EGS stimulation, utilizing coupled thermal-hydrologic-mechanical-chemical modeling
Sabina Kraushaar
MS Geology, 2014
Advisor: Dr. Pat Cashman
Structural controls of the MacFarlane geothermal system, Humboldt County, Nevada: New insights based on detailed geologic mapping, shallow temperature surveys, and magnetic data
Nicholas Paasche
MS Student, Hydrogeology
Advisor: Dr. Clay Cooper
Using numerical modeling to better understand the correlation between temperatures in the shallow subsurface and in deeper geothermal systems
npaasche at att.net
Brett Mayhew
MS Geology, 2013
Advisor: Dr. James Faulds
A 3D characterization of the Astor Pass geothermal system, Washoe County, Nevada
Greg Dering
MS Geology, 2013
Advisor: Dr. Jim Faulds
Structural controls of the Tuscarora geothermal field, Elko County, Nevada
Joel Edwards
MS Geology, 2013
Advisor: Dr. James Faulds
Structural controls of the Neal Hot Springs geothermal system, eastern Oregon
Ryan Anderson
MS Geology, 2013
Advisor: Dr. James Faulds
Structural controls of the Emerson Pass geothermal system, Washoe County, Nevada
Tyler Kent
MS Geophysics, 2013
Advisor: Dr. John Louie & Dr. Graham Kent
Comparing deformaion at Soda Lake geothermal field from GPS and 3D seismic
Jonathan Payne
MS Geology, 2013
Advisor: Dr. John Bell
Characterization of a blind geothermal prospect through LiDAR analysis and shallow temperature survey, Gabbs Valley, Nye and Mineral Co., NV
Paul Schwering
MS Geophysics, 2013
Advisor: Dr. Bob Karlin
Geophysical modeling of the Dixie Meadows geothermal prospect: Dual analysis of gravity and magnetic data towards identifying structural controls
Greg Rhodes
MS Geology, 2011
Advisor: Dr. James Faulds
Structural controls of the San Emidio geothermal system, northwestern Nevada
Betsy Pace
MS Geophysics, 2010
Advisor: Dr. Wendy Calvin
Analysis of remote sensing data for geothermal exploration over Fish Lake Valley, Esmeralda County, Nevada
Garret Vice
PhD Geology, 2008
Advisor: Dr. James Faulds
Structural controls of the Astor-Pass-Terraced Hills geothermal system in a region of strain transfer in the western Great Basin, northwestern Nevada