2 0 2 2 S T E E R I N G C O M M I T T E E
President
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Treasurer
Sarah Arpin, KGS, UK
Sarah Arpin works with the Kentucky Geological Survey as a karst hydrologist and manager of the Kentucky Groundwater Data Repository. She is also beginning the first semester of her PhD program with the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Kentucky. Sarah led the effort to revive the Southeast Bluegrass Chapter of AWG when the organization was faced with dissolution in October of 2019. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the chapter held some great meetings and events throughout 2020 and saw steady interest and attendance. After a successful year, the chapter’s probationary status was recently lifted. She would like to continue the momentum going into the new year and keep building the organization. The Southeast Bluegrass Chapter has been a great resource of knowledge and support for the community
so far!
Sarah Arpin, KGS, UK
Sarah Arpin works with the Kentucky Geological Survey as a karst hydrologist and manager of the Kentucky Groundwater Data Repository. She is also beginning the first semester of her PhD program with the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Kentucky. Sarah led the effort to revive the Southeast Bluegrass Chapter of AWG when the organization was faced with dissolution in October of 2019. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the chapter held some great meetings and events throughout 2020 and saw steady interest and attendance. After a successful year, the chapter’s probationary status was recently lifted. She would like to continue the momentum going into the new year and keep building the organization. The Southeast Bluegrass Chapter has been a great resource of knowledge and support for the community
so far!

Communications Officer
Laura Oborne, UK
Laura Oborne is the candidate for Communications Officer for the AWG SEB chapter this year. Laura is an undergraduate student at the University of Kentucky completing a dual degree in geology and marketing. She is currently a senior and is working as an undergraduate research assistant with Dr. Gina Lukoczki. Laura serves as the Public Relations Manager for the geology club as well. In her spare time, she enjoys being outside, hiking, and exploring new areas.
Laura Oborne, UK
Laura Oborne is the candidate for Communications Officer for the AWG SEB chapter this year. Laura is an undergraduate student at the University of Kentucky completing a dual degree in geology and marketing. She is currently a senior and is working as an undergraduate research assistant with Dr. Gina Lukoczki. Laura serves as the Public Relations Manager for the geology club as well. In her spare time, she enjoys being outside, hiking, and exploring new areas.
Student Liaison
Hillary Johnson, UK My name is Hillary Johnson and I am a second year master's student studying the seismic stratigraphy of Jackson Lake located in Grand Teton National Park. I have leadership experience from my roles as vice president of the geoscience graduate group and as secretary of sigma gamma epsilon. If I am selected as student liaison I will help with the creation of digital content and communicate with EES students and staff. |
External Liaison
Sierra Heimel, UK Sierra Heimel is a first year master’s student at the University of Kentucky. Her research pertains to geochemical sampling and modeling of unique speleothems and minerals from caves of the Grand Canyon. She is also a research assistant for the Kentucky Geological Survey. Sierra received her undergraduate degree in Geology and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. She has been employed as a research assistant with the USDA Southwest Climate Hub and the National Park Service at Jewel Cave National Monument. She is excited to continue to grow the SE Bluegrass chapter of AWG by building and maintaining relationships with Kentucky-based (non-UK) geology departments through outreach and networking. You can usually find Sierra hiking with her dog, crawling underground, or dancing wildly in her kitchen. |
Field Trip Coordinator
Alexandria Thomas, KGS, UK Alex is a first year graduate student at the University of Kentucky in the Earth and Environmental Sciences department. Her research is focused on Radon Data Analysis. She also received her undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky in Geology. She also works as a student employee at the Kentucky Geological Survey. As a fun fact, she has a drone pilot certification. |