Kurtis C. Burmeister, PhD

About Me (he/him/his): I am a structural geologist and my primary research focuses on the dynamic processes that deform Earth’s lithosphere. I am also very interested in areas of geoscience education associated with 3D visualization as well as how we can use sense of place to help students build meaningful connections between concepts and locations. I am what you might call a “dirty boots” geologist – I love being outdoors and incorporate fieldwork into my research whenever possible. I’m currently working on projects in the Sierra Nevada near Lake Tahoe and the Hudson Valley of upstate New York. In recent years, my work has taken me to western Ireland and southeastern Japan.

Student Research: I actively incorporate students in my research so they can have opportunities to travel and learn how to think scientifically. Students working under my advisement are lead authors or coauthors on most of my professional meeting presentations. Several of these student-led presentations received prestigious awards including the Sigma Gamma Epsilon Austin A. Sartin Best Undergraduate Poster and the Sigma Gamma Epsilon National Council Best Undergraduate Poster awards.

Teaching: At Sacramento State, I teach introductory level courses, Geologic Field Methods, and lead extended field trips. I enjoy these courses because they allow me to work closely with students on applied concepts in the classroom, lab, and field. I am also the co-Director of the Wasatch-Uinta Geology Field Camp, a 6-week capstone course taught every summer out of Park City, Utah.