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, April 29, 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00–11:30 AM PT
📍 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
Moderator Introduction:
Education:
PhD, Geological Sciences, Arizona State University
BA, Geology and Spanish, Lawrence University
Rachel Akie
EarthScope Consortium
Rachel Akie
Cloud Software Engineer III
EarthScope Consortium
Panelist Introduction:
My name is Rachel Akie and I am a cloud software engineer at EarthScope Consortium. I have a bachelor’s of science degree in environmental science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a masters degree in geology from the University of California at Riverside. My master’s thesis research involved using GPS data to better understand reservoir dynamics in a geothermal field. My research focus in geodesy led me to an internship at UNAVCO (now EarthScope) where I still work today supporting science. I learned to code during my graduate school education and found that I picked it up quite quickly. I enjoy problem solving and it’s a skill I use daily in my work today. Outside of work, I enjoy skiing, crafting and spending time with my husband and our cat Kiwi.
Wendy Bohon
California Geological Survey
Wendy Bohon
Physical Scientist
California Geological Survey
Panelist Introduction:
Dr. Wendy Bohon is a geologist who studies earthquakes and works to improve the communication of science.
Dr. Bohon received a BA in theater from James Madison University, an MSc in Geology from Ohio State University and a PhD in earthquake Geology from Arizona State University. Her postdoc was with the Earthscope National Office.
Wendy is the Branch Chief of Seismic Hazards & Earthquake Engineering for the California Geological Survey. In the past, she has worked as a Chief Scientist and Strategic Communication Specialist for the Earth Science Division at NASA Goddard, the Education and Outreach Coordinator for the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, and the Senior Science Communication Specialist for the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology. She lives in Sacramento with her spouse, twin boys, and menagerie of animals.
Teresa Butler
ExxonMobil
Teresa Butler
Geoscientist
ExxonMobil
Panelist Introduction:
Coming Soon.
Alex Olsen-Mikitowicz
AeroTerra Sensing, LLC
Alex Olsen-Mikitowicz
Colliers Engineering & Design – Remote Sensing Manager
AeroTerra Sensing, LLC – Co-owner
Panelist Introduction:
Alex Olsen-Mikitowicz is a UAV remote sensing specialist and geospatial professional with a background in watershed science. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, he began his academic journey in Fort Collins, Colorado, including a GeoLaunchpad internship with UNAVCO. He later earned his master’s degree from Colorado State University, where he applied drone technology to snow hydrology research.
Since graduating, Alex has built a career focused on UAV-based mapping and remote sensing, working across Colorado and now Arizona. He is currently the remote sensing manager for Colliers Engineering & Design and the co-founder of AeroTerra Solutions, a company specializing in drone-based detection of orphaned oil and gas wells using advanced sensors such as magnetometry.
Outside of work, Alex enjoys skiing, mountain biking, and flying airplanes.
Liam Toney
U.S. Geological Survey
Liam Toney
Research Geologist
U.S. Geological Survey
Panelist Introduction:
Coming soon.
