Science

Here you will find information on current and past projects. Read more…

Latest News

Learn about exciting activities at the lab and beyond. Read more…

Soil is Life

Here you will find out why your life depends on soil! Read more…

For Teachers

Discover soil educational materials and activities for pre-school - 12th grade teachers. Read more…

Lab Members

Staff

Dr. Patrick Drohan
Dr. Patrick Drohan Laboratory Director 452 Ag. Sciences and Industries Building University Park, PA 16802 Phone: +1-814-863-4246 Fax: +1-814-863-7043 E-mail: pjd7@psu.edu Curriculum vitae
Dr. Ed Ciolkosz
Dr. Ed Ciolkosz Prof. Emeritus of Soil Genesis & Morphology Former Director, Penn State Soil Characterization Lab 242 Ag. Sciences and Industries Building University Park, PA 16802 Phone: +1-814-865-1530 Fax: +1-814-863-7043 E-mail: f8i@psu.edu
Tim Craul
Tim Craul Soils Specialist, Penn State NRCS Liaison USDA-NRCS Map Compilation and Digitizing Center University Park, PA Phone: +1-814-865-2306 E-mail: Tim.Craul@pa.usda.gov
Mary Kay Lupton
Mary Kay Lupton Project Assistant 453 Ag. Sciences and Industries Building University Park, PA 16802 Phone: +1-814-863-4327 Fax: +1-814-863-7043 E-mail: mxk397@psu.edu

Students

Lauren Vitko

Lauren Vitko Graduate Student (Ph.D. in progress) Project title: Predicting geomorphic and pedological controls on water,
carbon, and nutrient movement.

Cody Fink

Cody Fink Graduate Student (M.S. in progress) Project title: Marcellus Shale infrastructure landscape effects on ecosystems

Michael Marciano

Michael Marsicano Graduate Student (M.S. in progress) Project title: Quantifying soil change across MLRAs 127 and 140 for the identification of Ecological Sites and the development of State and Transition Models

Ben Bullock

Ben Bullock Undergraduate Student (B.S. in progress) Project title: Extent of carbon additions in soils of 19th century
furnace, charcoal pits

Kathryn Clark

Kathryn Clark Undergraduate Student (B.S. in progress) Honor Course Project: Development of a soil morphology GPR library
for Pennsylvania soils.

Dan Lawler

Dan Lawler Undergraduate Student (B.S. in progress) Project title: Total mercury pools in soils across Pennsylvania.

Past Students

April Doroski

April Doroski Undergraduate Student (B.S.) Project title: Marcellus Shale infrastructure landscape effects on ecosystems

John Driscoll

John Driscoll Undergraduate Student (B.S.) Project title: Marcellus Shale infrastructure landscape effects on ecosystems

Kyle Medash

Kyle Medash Undergraduate Student (B.S.) Project title: Marcellus Shale infrastructure landscape effects on ecosystems

Katherine Lindeburg

Katherine Lindeburg Graduate Student (M.S.) Thesis Title: Silty Mantles and Fragipans in Pennsylvania Soils.

Emilie Erich

Emilie Erich Graduate Student (M.S.) Research Topic: The extent and characterization of subaqueous soils of Black Moshannon: Mercury distribution in the Black Moshannon drainage basin

Maggie Norton

Maggie Norton Undergraduate Student (B.S.) Research Topic: Gigapan imagery of soil monoliths to enhance distance learning of soil science

Alex Lin

Alex Lin Undergraduate Student (B.S.) Research Topic: Aeolian contributions to soils along a hydrocatena on
the Allegheny Plateau.

Ben Moorehead

Ben Moorehead Undergraduate Student (B.S) Research Topic: Characterization of surface crust mineralogy and
morphology in an acid mine drainage kill zone.
Co-advised with Dr. Mary Ann Bruns.
3rd Place Student Poster Competition at the
2010 West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Symposium.
Currently employed as a soil scientist with Hanover Engineering.

Austin Young

Austin Young Undergraduate Student (B.S.) Research Topic: Aeolian parent material contributions to a Pre-Wisconsinan and Late Wisconsinan colluvial soil.
Currently employed as a soil scientist with Hanover Engineering.

Support Crew

Black Moshannon Banana People

Black Moshannon Banana People

Students working in field conditions

Interested in soil science, curious what dirt can do for you and what you can do for dirt!

We are always seeking outstanding students to work with us. We have a variety of projects for undergraduates, students seeking MS or PhD’s and Post Doc positions. Please contact the lab for further information.