Earth and Space Sciences at Columbus State University, GA

ESS welcomes back alumnus and Senior Scientist at the Planetary Science Institute, Matt Perry - the keynote speaker at today's Tower Day undergraduate research conference!

https://www.columbusstate.edu/academic-affairs/research/tower-day.php

Matt, a 2013 graduate of the ESS Astrophysics and Planetary Geology track, is a geophysicist and planetary scientist whose work focuses on using radar data from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (SHARAD) to model the surface and subsurface of Mars - including the search for water on the red planet!

https://www.psi.edu/staff/profile/matthew-perry/

Matt will provide the keynote address for Tower Day 2026 on the main stage at the Cunningham Center on CSU's main campus. Join our celebration of undergraduate research and learn how Matt got his start right here in the Department of Earth and Space Sciences!

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Interested in a career in robotics engineering or earth and space science? Learn how you can use one of our B.S. or M.S. degrees as a springboard into a career in robotics engineering, astronomy, environmental science, geology, or science education by visiting our ESS departmental website!

https://www.columbusstate.edu/earth-space-sciences/

Our ESS Spring 2026 Seminar Series continues next week, Tuesday, April 7th, with a presentation from one of our very own, CSU Professor of Geology, Dr. David Schwimmer.

"A Full-Body Skeletal Reconstruction of a 9m (30') Giant Crocodilian, and What We Know About the Life of Deinosuchus"

The first complete reconstruction of the eastern species of the Late Cretaceous crocodilian, Deinosuchus, has been mounted in the Tellus Museum in Cartersville, GA. Dr. Schwimmer was involved in the design and data of the reconstruction. It tells a great deal about the morphology and life of the creature. Among other data, it was the largest predator along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America during the late Age of Dinosaurs, and fed on turtles and younger tyrannosaurs. Fun fact about the Deinosuchus was that it was extraordinarily common in what is now the Chattahoochee River Valley, 40km south of Columbus, possibly at the mouth of the river at the time.

ESS seminar presentations are open to the public, so feel free to share this announcement with anyone who might be interested in attending.

When: Tuesday, April 7th, 2026 at 12:30pm
Where: Jordan Hall 213 and Microsoft Teams

For more information on joining our ESS Seminar through Microsoft Teams, please email Dr. Troy Keller: [email protected]

*Free pizza is provided to in-person attendees on a first come, first serve basis.

Our ESS Spring 2026 Seminar Series continues this week, Saturday, March 28th, with a special live edition of the award-winning Made of Stars podcast, hosted by producer, Wed Carroll, and astronomer and CSU professor, Dr. Shawn Cruzen.

"Made of Stars Live from the CCSSC Planetarium"

Made of Stars is a fun and fast-paced look at the latest in space new, covering everything from baby planets to black holes, quasars to quantum mechanics, and the most exciting developments in space exploration. In 2022, Dr. Cruzen and Wes won the Georgia Association of Broadcasters' Excellence in Broadcasting Award for the Best Podcast. Join us for the first-ever live recording of fascinating insights into our universe!

ESS seminar presentations are open to the public, so feel free to share this announcement with anyone who might be interested in attending.

When: Saturday, March 28th, 2026 at 7:00pm
Where: Coca-Cola Space Science Center Omnisphere Theater Planetarium

Kudos to ESS undergraduate geology student Logan Collins, who presented the results of his undergraduate research project at the Annual Meeting of the Geological Society of America, Joint SE-SC-NC Section, in Memphis, TN.

"Clast Orientation and Aspect Ratio Anisotropy Inheritance as a Function of Grain Size: Comparison of Sedimentary Rocks from the Southeastern U.S. and Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico"

https://share.google/KoZ7hGprozwpofzG2

Logan is part of a group of ESS students and faculty who attended the March 8-11 conference.

Congratulations to all of our ESS presenters!

Congratulations to ESS undergraduate geology student Courtney Lamborn, who presented the results of her senior thesis research and ESS student coauthors at the Annual Meeting of the Geological Society of America, Joint SE-SC-NC Section, in Memphis, TN.

"Progressive Strain Modeling using an Excel Spreadsheet: Comparisons to Real-World and Digital Clast Deformation"

https://gsameetings.secure-platform.com/se26/solicitations/103012/sessiongallery/schedule/items/96044/application/13553

Coutney is part of a group of ESS students and faculty who attended the March 8-11 conference.

Hats off to all of our ESS presenters!