Published December 02, 2024
By Christine Reed
In order to keep up with the growing research portfolio at the School of Energy Resources (SER), four new professionals were added to the team during the fall semester across different areas of expertise and research areas.
Cole Messa
Cole Messa was hired as an Assistant Research Professional in the Center for Economic Geology Research (CEGR).
Originally from Doylestown, Penn. Messa is a self-proclaimed Wyoming transplant. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Bachelor of Science degree in Geosciences from Penn State, he came to Wyoming to earn his Ph.D. in Geology.
Messa’s doctoral research utilized isotope geochemistry to determine the formation and evolution of basaltic lava flows. His work mainly focused on the Yellowstone super volcano and the Henry’s Fork caldera of the Yellowstone plateau volcanic field in the hopes of understanding the role played by basaltic lavas in super-eruptive cycles and producing an improved volcanic history of the region. His work led to his selection as a Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium fellow for the 2022-2023 academic year.
He also studied the Mid Atlantic Ridge alongside Ken Sims, a professor in UW’s Department of Geology and Geophysics and his doctoral advisor.
Throughout his studies in geochemistry, Messa cultivated a talent and expertise for identifying trace elements, including critical minerals (CM) and rare earth elements (REE).
In his new position at SER, he will be applying some of the very same separation and identification methods on coal seams to analyze and better understand the formation of ore deposits and processes that cause high occurrences of REE and CM. He is also charged with the management of the geotechnical lab in the Energy Innovation Center.
“Cole has such a wealth of knowledge when it comes to Wyoming geology, and is employing some really cutting-edge geochemical processes which will have a considerable impact on our projects,” says CEGR Director Fred McLaughlin. “He also is very forward-looking and understands some of the big picture ideas in his field. More importantly, he knows the importance of communicating that vision with the wider public and we look forward to his contributions in outreach, education and scholarship.”
“I am thrilled to join a group that is involved in such cutting-edge research at the frontier of developing our energy industry in this State,” says Messa. “I am most excited about the opportunity to use my geologic expertise to help benefit Wyoming and give back to this State that means so much to me.”
Scarlett Forrest
Scarlett Forrest joined SER as a Research Scientist in the recently launched Jurisprudence of Underground Law and Energy (JOULE), a faculty-led research group under the direction of SER Professor of Law and Occidental Chair in Energy and Environmental Policies Tara Righetti.
The group is designed to conduct innovative legal research that advances the understanding of the rules and relationships governing the use of the subsurface and development of energy and natural resources.
Originally from Herndon, Va., Forrest attended Virginia Tech for her undergraduate degree in Environmental Science before starting a career as an Environmental Engineer and Consultant. Working mainly on remediation projects, Forrest gained valuable experience in the field on contamination clean-up efforts, and garnered a considerable background in groundwater modeling and plume modeling.
With an increasing interest of the intersection between energy and environmental impacts, Forrest was prompted to attend law school and attended the University of Wyoming College of Law for her Juris Doctor.
While in law school, she served on the editorial board of the Wyoming Law Review, externed for the Honorable Kelly Rankin, United States District Court Judge for the District of Wyoming, and was a recipient of the prestigious Salt Creek Energy Excellence scholarship. She is now licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado.
In her role with JOULE, she will be proving regulatory and legal research support on a number of grants – including a new study on the circular economy for critical minerals funded through the Sloan Foundation.
“Scarlett is the perfect addition to our research group with her background in legal research, regulatory authority, and environmental science,” says Maddie Lewis, an associate research scientist in JOULE and the principal investigator on the Sloan Foundation project. “Scarlett has seamlessly integrated into the research program at SER and will be indispensable in supporting JOULE’s mission to advance scholarship in subsurface energy law.”
“I am excited to use my technical background as well as my legal skills in a multidisciplinary manner,” say Forrest. “Subsurface energy law is a fascinating topic and truly novel. I feel honored to be a part of a research group that has literally paved the way on the national stage regarding pore space and ownership issues and know that I am receiving mentorship from preeminent attorneys and academics in this field.”
Rachel Toner
Rachel Toner joined the 3D Visualization Center (Viz Center) as an Assistant Research Professional to help meet the needs of the growing technological and visualization demands accompanying energy research.
With over 20 years of experience in Wyoming geology, energy, and Geospatial Information System (GIS), she joins the Viz Center alongside Assistant Research Professional James Amato, who leads the GIS and remote sensing efforts.
A native of Sheridan, Wyo., Toner received her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Geology from the University of Wyoming before launching her career as a GIS/database analyst for an environmental and engineering firm.
In 2013, she joined the Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) as an oil and gas geologist researching the Powder River and Denver-Julesburg basins’ stacked unconventional reservoirs, conducting critical mineral sampling, and mapping programs in the Medicine Bow Mountains. She also developed and maintained online GIS mapping platforms for Wyoming’s oil and gas reservoir and infrastructure data.
Well-versed in database development and subsurface characterization, she will be helping develop GIS datasets and web map applications at SER. One of her primary projects will be working on the Class VI database project in collaboration with the WSGS and the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
“We are thrilled to have someone with a lot of relevant, Wyoming experience and technical skillset,” says 3D Viz Center Program manager Kyle Summerfield. “As the role of Viz Center has evolved to have a more active role in the visualization needs of energy research projects at SER, so too has our need for talented staff that have a foot in both worlds. Speaking both geology and database languages, Rachel builds a strong bridge between the Viz center the rest of SER, particularly the Center for Economic Geology Research.”
Toner will also be expanding her skillset to support the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which can be equipped with high-resolution cameras and sophisticated sensors to capture precise geospatial data. She will embark on a course to obtain her Remote Pilot Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration.
“I am so excited and thankful for the opportunity to combine both some of my GIS and geological skills into the position,” says Toner. “I am also looking forward to learning some new skills and really leveraging the sophisticated technological capabilities of the Viz Center to enhance energy fluency in the state.”
Kaleb Peterson
Kaleb Peterson joined the administrative research team as the newest Project Specialist.
A native of Wheatland, Wyo., Peterson earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance at UW, followed by his MBA.
Throughout his studies, he worked in a part-time capacity with SER as an Accounting Assistant and helped to manage the hiring and recruitment processes. Additionally, he worked at Campus Recreation as a business office intern.
In his new role he will continue to interface with the SER financial team and the UW Procurement Office, as well as oversee and streamline the budget process for the SER research team. Kaleb will support project execution by maintaining scope, schedule, and budget for various SER projects.
“I have really enjoyed gaining valuable business experience on the SER financial team and I am pleased to now be working with SER in a more permanent capacity,” says Peterson. “The work that goes on at SER is incredibly dynamic and complex and helping the research team navigate the nuances of the backside of grants is an exciting opportunity.”
By shouldering some of the administrative burden associated with grant-funded projects, the Project Specialists are able to better streamline the financial processes and establish themselves as the point of contact by developing close working relationships with the Research & Economic Development Office.
“The project specialist positions are a relatively new addition to the research program at SER and we have experienced a noticeable difference in our efficiency and efficacy,” says SER Senior Director of Research Scott Quillinan. “Kaleb has already been a pleasure to work with in his ability to get a pulse on the budgets and we are so grateful to have him fill this role.”
