Class of 2015: Elizabeth Benyshek

Terrific new feature from UGA on our students graduating in December. First up is geology major Elizabeth Benyshek:

Our fieldwork focused on basaltic volcanism, landscape evolution and planetary surface processes as related to both Earth and Mars. While the fieldwork aided me in gaining geological experience, I also learned more than a few life lessons from the scientist who invited the UGA students, Bob Craddock. 

How did that experience change you or clarify your future plans? What did you take away from it?

I almost passed up this opportunity because I didn’t think volcanism was my field of interest. Looking back on it now, I am grateful for those who pushed me to apply, and I wouldn’t trade the experience I gained for anything. This made me realize the importance of keeping an open mind about the opportunities presented to me.

Has there been a particular faculty or staff member who’s had a big impact on your time at UGA? If so, who and why?

Though everyone in the geology department has impacted my learning experience in some way, the one faculty member who has always supported me in my educational endeavors is Sally Walker. Walker was one of my first professors in the geology department and the first to introduce me to real fieldwork. Walker and I share an overflowing enthusiasm for science, and this has aided me in surviving many perils over my time at UGA. For the past year, Walker has been my senior thesis adviser, and our project under the NASA DEVELOP National Program is wrapping up. The experience I have gained under the guidance of Walker had the most impact on me during my time at UGA.

Congratulations Elizabeth and to our geology faculty. Benyshek's project with Dr. Walker is a good example of the breadth of the NASA Develop program, which opens wide-ranging opportunities for our students in a way that truly re-captures the meaning of 'innovative' for sure. Best of luck, Elizabth and we look forward to your future accomplishments.