UTK Department of Earth, Environmental & Planetary Sciences

10/23/2026

EEPS is partnering with TSU to expand geoscience training opportunities through an impactful program led by Dr. Mike McKinney

A National Science Foundation grant brought Tennessee State University students to Knoxville for a two-week summer research program. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, opened geoscience research opportunities for additional students through a partnership with Tennessee State University (TSU). ...

09/28/2026

Check out EEPS post-doc Dr. Ozgur Yildirim's work in energy systems here:

Every day, discoveries beneath our feet are helping shape how we power our lives and protect our communities. At UT, […]

09/28/2026

We are proud of our amazing post-doc cohort here in EEPS!

This National Postdoc Appreciation Week, we’re celebrating the researchers who bring new perspectives, expertise and curiosity to UT. 🧡

Meet Ozgur Yildirim, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences. His work explores subsurface energy systems and how we can better understand and manage the processes happening beneath the Earth’s surface.

Since joining UT in spring 2026, Yildirim has also found opportunities to connect with researchers across his department and the university, building a sense of community alongside his research.

For Yildirim, the postdoctoral experience is about more than advancing his work. It’s also about learning, connecting with colleagues and finding a research community where he feels supported.

We’re grateful for postdocs like Yildirim who contribute their expertise and perspectives to UT’s research community.

Read more about Yildirim’s research and experience at tiny.utk.edu/Yildirim-Spotlight

09/21/2026

Dylan Stokes (BS Geology 2026) launched his Mine Geologist career working on a Carlin type gold deposit with SSR Mining Company. He is creating dig plans, mapping out ore and waste boundaries, field mapping, and QA/QCing lab data.

09/17/2026

The College of Arts and Sciences is excited to begin recruitment for our next group of student ambassadors! We are looking for reliable student leaders with strong public speaking skills and enthusiasm about their major, and the college. Ambassador applications are now open through Wednesday, October 7.

Link: https://artsci.utk.edu/about/directory/student-ambassadors/

09/14/2026

It’s been 4 weeks since the start of the semester…so let’s go back to summer. Swipe to see what some of our graduate students were up to! 🍊

Natasha Tagle travelled to Australia for her work with the Shoemaker Impact Crater. Natasha’s project investigates the chemistry and sedimentary record of modern ephemeral saline lakes within Shoemaker impact crater, Western Australia, to better understand how ancient crater lakes on Mars preserved geochemical and potential biosignature records. As a part of her research, she also works with the science team on JPL/NASA’s Curiosity Rover.

View of Shoemaker Crater and its lakes from Google Earth.

Stephen Hill and Laya Amini travelled to the barrier islands of central Florida to hunt for ophiuroids (Brittle Stars). By understanding modern brittle star populations they hope they hope to compare their data to populations in the fossil record.

Stephen Hill and Laya Amini travelled to the barrier islands of central Florida to hunt for ophiuroids (Brittle Stars). By understanding modern brittle star populations they hope they hope to compare their data to populations in the fossil record.

Cedar Key has been hit by several hurricanes and the sign next to Stephen shows the water level during each one.

Sonja Schmoyer went to Utah to study inverted river channels and their thermal properties. She flew a drone equipped with a thermal camera to observe different rates of heating and cooling for different types of inverted channels as part of her research with Mars analog sites.

Sonja Schmoyer went to Utah to study inverted river channels and their thermal properties. She flew a drone equipped with a thermal camera to observe rates of heating and cooling for different types of inverted channels as part of her research with Mars analog sites.

Anah Bogdan conducted high-temperature deformation experiments on Iron-rich pyroxene at Brown University to better constrain the viscosity and rheology of the lunar mantle.

George Denny attended SAGE (Summer of Applied Geophysics Experience) in the Valles Caldera near Los Alamos, NM!

George Denny attended SAGE (Summer of Applied Geophysics Exper

09/08/2026

Hiking canyons can be dangerous when storms hit – what you need to know to stay safe. Our own Dr. Anner Paldor talks about why canyons are prone to flash floods and how to stay safe.

The image shown is an elevation map of the Grand Canyon. Steep slopes and narrow passageways channel rain water downstream through the canyon, causing flash floods.

Link (also in bio): https://theconversation.com/hiking-canyons-can-quickly-turn-deadly-when-storms-hit-what-you-should-know-before-going-in-291122

Image credit: Anner Paldor; Data Basin, using ESRI, Census Bureau, NOAA, National Ocean Service, National Geodetic Survey, USGS, TomTom, CC BY

09/03/2026

The Society of Economic Geologist’s UTK student chapter hosted Kayla Young from Crucible to talk about her work with the Halleck Creek Rare Earth Element Project!

Kayla described a potentially novel deposit type in Wyoming and walked through what the future of the site could look like.

08/26/2026

PhD student in environmental geoscience Taylor Wishart discusses how the success of green roofs depends on more than just good intentions and engineering—they need long-term love and care.

The green roof is at the Agriculture & Natural Resources building here on campus. A special thanks to the Plant Sciences department for their hard work in maintaining the green roof.

Article Link: https://theconversation.com/green-roofs-can-help-cool-cities-in-the-summer-heat-but-building-them-is-only-the-first-step-many-dont-survive-288874

08/19/2026

Welcome to the Fall 2026 semester!🍊

If you are new to the Department of Earth, Environmental & Planetary Sciences (EEPS) or are a returning major/minor looking for upcoming opportunities in the department, please join us for a welcome event on Tuesday, August 25th at 5:00 pm in 740 Strong Hall.

We will discuss the different concentrations, research opportunities, future career opportunities, departmental resources, student organizations, and more. You will also have the opportunity to talk with your faculty advisors and fellow students. Drinks and snacks will be provided.