Undergraduate Student Mentors 2022

Jorge Acosta

Jorge Acosta

Jorge an undergraduate student at UW-Milwaukee, pursuing a B.S. in Geosciences. He became intrigued in geology by a course titled “Geology of National Parks” that he took in community college. He experienced his first research opportunity during the GO FoRWARD program, which then gave him the opportunity to formally conduct undergraduate research with Dr. Lindsay McHenry. He is currently working on an undergraduate research project that is attempting to determine if it could be utilized as an adequate analog for Venus. His ultimate academic goal is to obtain a PhD degree, and his career aspirations lie in planetary geology/volcanology. In his free time, Jorge likes to stay active, kayak, and go biking.

 

Matao Casarez

Matao Casarez

Matao is currently attending UWM for his B.S. in Conservation and Environmental Science with a minor in Geosciences. He became interested in the minor when he attended the program last summer. The GO FoRWARD program allowed for him to find the crossover between his major and the geosciences in his passion for water. During his time of attending UWM he participated in undergraduate research and became a SURF recipient while winning an outstanding presentation award for his project lithium metal recovery from Permian basin produced water while working with mentor Charles Paradis. His current hobbies are playing video games, gardening and listening to music.

Max Garcia

Max Garcia

Max is currently pursuing their B.S in Geosciences at UWM. They first became interested in geoscience from the PBS program PBS Eons. They hope to have a career in Paleontology one day. In their free time, they like to play video games like LOZ and Skyrim, travel especially to mountain regions, and watch informational YouTubers.

 

Mikayla Walker Mikayla Walker

Mikayla is pursuing her undergraduate degree in geosciences at UW-Milwaukee. She became interested in geology through the GO FoRWARD program two summers ago. GO FoRWARD helped her find a career path that she is passionate about. In her free time, Mikayla likes to lift weights, play video games, and travel.

 

 

A summer experience hosted by the UWM Department of Geosciences and funded by the National Science Foundation, dedicated to increasing the diversity, equity, and inclusion of students majoring in geosciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.