Hosted by EarthScope Consortium and CRESCENT
Explore Your Future: Geoscience Career Panel
A panel discussion with geoscientists sharing real-world experiences and career insights
About
EarthScope Consortium and CRESCENT are co-hosting a virtual Geoscience Career Panel. The goal of this event is to showcase the wide range of careers available to students with a geoscience degree. We’re looking for professionals across various sectors—academia, industry, government, nonprofits, consulting, and beyond—to share insights about their career paths and current roles.
🗓 Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
⏰ Time: 12:00–1:00 PM MT
📍 Location: Virtual (Zoom link provided upon registration)
🎓 Audience: Undergraduate and graduate students, early career scientists, and geoscience enthusiasts
🎥 Note: Session will be recorded
Please use the same email to register as you use to log in to Zoom.
Meet the Panelists
Emily Zawacki
EarthScope Consortium
Moderartor
Emily Zawacki (moderator)
Science Communication Associate
EarthScope Consortium
Panelist Introduction:
Education:
PhD, Geological Sciences, Arizona State University
BA, Geology and Spanish, Lawrence University
Brandon Clark
Berry Corporation
Brandon Clark
Regulatory Compliance Geologist
Berry Corporation
Panelist Introduction:
Brandon Clark is a geologist working in the oil and gas industry for Berry Corporation. Brandon started his career as an operations geologist before transitioning to a development geologist. In those roles his main focus was working with drilling in the field to ensure wells were drilled on target based on the lead geologist plans. As a development geologist, he worked with engineers to review existing wells and plan future wells based on remaining oil in place models. Over the last year Brandon moved into a regulatory role, where he operates as the lead regulatory geologist managing all of Berry’s Underground Injection Control (UIC) projects. In this role, he works closely with technical professionals and state regulators in order to maintain compliance for all of Berry’s active UIC projects.
Education:
BS, Chemistry, Fort Valley State University
BS, Geosciences, Penn State
MS, Geosciences, Penn State
Robert de Groot
U.S. Geological Survey
Robert de Groot
Physical Scientist
U.S. Geological Survey – Earthquake Science Center
ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System
Panelist Introduction:
Robert de Groot has been a physical scientist with the USGS Earthquake Science Center since 2016.
Robert de Groot is an operations team lead for the USGS-managed ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System, a public safety system, serving 50+ million people in California, Oregon, and Washington. Robert manages communication, education, outreach, and technical engagement. He recruits technical partners to use ShakeAlert data to deliver alerts to people, such as to their cell phone, and to trigger automated actions like slowing down trains and closing valves to protect water supplies. Robert leads a team of over 60 people from universities, emergency management agencies, museums, K-12 schools, and others to keep people safe.
Prior to working at the USGS, Robert was the director of education and internship programs at the Statewide California Earthquake Center (SCEC) at the University of Southern California.
Education:
He holds an AB from Occidental College in Liberal Arts and Sciences, an M.A. (with distinction) in chemistry and Earth science education from Northern Arizona University, and a Ph.D. in science education from the University of Southern California. In 2015 he was named a Fellow of the American Chemical Society.
Tina Dura
Virginia Tech
Tina Dura
Assistant Professor of Natural Hazards
Virginia Tech
Panelist Introduction:
Dr. Dura specializes in subduction zone paleogeodesy. Her research combines coastal stratigraphy, sedimentology, micropaleontology, paleoseismology, geophysical and sediment transport modeling, and sea-level analysis to reconstruct long-term histories of coseismic vertical deformation and tsunami inundation along subduction zone coastlines. She also enjoys geoscience outreach, education, and science communication, and helped develop the Cores2Code summer research experience through the NSF-funded Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center (CRESCENT).
Education:
PhD in Earth Science (Sea-level Research), University of Pennsylvania
MA in Geology, Central Washington University
BA Honors in Geology, Occidental College
What’s a skill you use often in your work?
I regularly use coastal stratigraphy and microfossil analysis (especially diatoms) to reconstruct past earthquakes, tsunamis, and land-level changes. I also apply geophysical and tsunami modeling to connect geologic records with hazard scenarios.
What’s something you like to do outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors, playing with my dog Kit Kat, and keeping up with my family’s busy sports schedule.
Allison Pyrch
Stantec
Allison Pyrch
Principal Resilience and Geotechnical Engineer
Stantec
Panelist Introduction:
Allison is a geotechnical engineer and leading advocate for disaster resilience in the Pacific Northwest. With over 20 years of experience, she chairs the Oregon Seismic Safety Policy Advisory Commission and leads national efforts in disaster recovery with the American Society of Civil Engineers. Allison has studied earthquake recovery globally and played a key role in developing the Oregon Resilience Plan. Her work helps communities prepare for seismic and climate risks by assessing vulnerabilities and prioritizing improvements. Recognized with multiple engineering and leadership awards, Allison is a frequent presenter, legislative advisor, and community volunteer. When not working, she enjoys dragon boat racing, hiking, and exploring the beauty of the PNW.
Education:
MS, Civil (Geotechnical) Engineering, Oregon State University
BS, Civil Engineering, Oregon State University
BS, Math Whitman College
Hannah Rabinowitz-Pratt
FEMA
Hannah Rabinowitz-Pratt
Earthquake, Tsunami, and Volcano Program Manager for Region 10 (OR, WA, ID, and AK)
FEMA
Panelist Introduction:
Hannah is the Earthquake, Tsunami, and Volcano Program Manager at Federal Emergency Management Agency for Region 10 (OR, WA, ID, and AK). In that role, she manages state grants that support states in improving their earthquake preparedness and mitigation efforts. She also acts as a subject matter expert to help review mitigation plans and projects and in support of FEMA’s response efforts during geohazard events. This role leverages previous experience as a risk analyst at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and managing risk and resilience projects for the Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program (through a AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowship) as well as her graduate studies in earthquake physics. When not at work, Hannah loves hiking and spending time exploring Seattle with her family.
Education:
PhD (Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences), Columbia University
BA (Geophysics), Washington University in St Louis
