Davin Bagdonas
Center for Economic Geology Research
Senior Research Professional, Coal, and Rare Earth Elements
Davin Bagdonas is a Senior Research Professional in the Center for Economic Geology Research at the School of Energy Resources.
He graduated from the University of Wyoming in 2004 with a degree in Geology. He returned to earn his master’s degree in 2014, focusing on igneous rocks and uranium provenance mineralogy, after working for the UW geochronology laboratory, WSGS, Smithsonian Institute, and other geology research projects. Following his education, Bagdonas worked briefly for the State of Wyoming sourcing zeolite minerals throughout the state before joining the School of Energy Resources in 2015.
Since joining the ranks of CEGR, Bagdonas has distinguished himself in his area of expertise related to coal and rare earth elements. Notably, he led initial efforts to stand up SER’s rare earth elements research programs, served as the principal investigator on a Department of Energy-funded Carbon Ore, Rare Earth and Critical Mineral (CORE-CM) project, leading the efforts in the Greater Green River Basin and Wind River Basin, and has collaborated with experts across the country to develop and apply new methods for assessment of unconventional rare earth element resources. Bagdonas is sought for his expertise in utilizing coal fly ash as an unconventional resource for critical minerals, both advises and has published substantially on the topic.
