
Dr. Emily Finzel
Associate Professor
My research focuses on sedimentary processes in modern and ancient basins. One strand of my research involves deciphering the tectonic record contained within a stratigraphic section by integrating sedimentologic analyses, geologic mapping, detrital geochronology (U-Pb and Hf isotopes), mudstone geochemistry (rare earth elements), and heavy mineral and petrographic provenance analyses. Research areas have included forearc and backarc basins in south-central Alaska, the Cordilleran foreland basin in southwestern Montana, Paleozoic cratonic basins in the Midcontinent, the Miocene Apennine foreland basin in Italy, and the Cretaceous Neuquén basin in Argentina. More recently, I have started investigating geochemical proxies in marginal marine mudstones as proxies for environmental conditions.
Email: emily-finzel@uiowa.edu
Telephone: 319-335-0405
Graduate Students

Brandon Botha
M.S. 2022 - in progress

Shay Ridl
Ph.D. 2021 - in progress

Dustin Northrup
Ph.D. 2023
Geologist, Midland Basin North, ConocoPhillips

Alethea Kapolas
MS 2022
Petrographer, CTLGroup

Cole Gardner
M.S. 2021
Field Sales Engineer, Shimadzu Scientific

Justin Rosenblume
Ph.D. 2021

Kacey Garber
M.S. 2017-2019
Project Geologist, SCS Engineers

Carsyn Ames
M.S. 2016 - 2018
Geological Samples Coordinator, Wisconsin Geological Survey

Mattie Reid
M.S. 2015 - 2017
Senior Geologist, OXY

Tyler Hedeen
M.S. 2014 - 2016
Regulatory Specialist, Army Corps of Engineers

Kyle Kissock
M.S. 2014 - 2016
Communications Manager, Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation
Undergraduate Students
Kris Symankski
B.S. 2022
Zach Vig
B.S. 2022
Hanna Konavaluk
B.S. 2022

Ben Howard
B.S. 2021
MS 2023, University of Arkansas
Geologist, Matador Resources Company
Clint Henning
B.S. 2018
Hydrographer at USGS
Sam Mraz
B.S. 2017
Energy Analyst

Lucas Gosney
B.S. 2016
Engineering Technician I,
Terracon Consultants, Inc.
Zach Miller
B.S. 2016
M.A.T. 2018
High School Science Teacher

Dan Alberts
B.S. 2015
M.S. 2019 (U-Arizona)
ExxonMobil

Brittany Hendrix
B.S. 2014
Field Scientist at EnviroForensics