2025 CMLA Faculty
Erin Phillips, Ph.D
Director of Cross Cutting Programs, UW School of Energy Resources
Erin Phillips, Ph.D., is the Director of Cross-Cutting Programs at the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources (SER). Erin has contributed broadly to critical minerals research at SER and was the Principal Investigator for the DOE-sponsored Powder River Basin Carbon Ore, Rare Earths, and Critical Minerals (CORE-CM) project. She is currently working on multiple energy-related workforce development initiatives and recently received a Fulbright Award to study critical mineral supply chains in Norway. Originally from the Black Hills of South Dakota, Erin earned her bachelor’s degree in geology from Macalester College followed by her master’s degree from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Prior to pursuing her Ph.D., she worked for the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources and Black Hills State University. Erin completed her Ph.D. at the University of Wyoming Department of Geology and Geophysics and is an adjunct faculty member in that department.
Pamela Tomski
Founder & Director, Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration (RECS)
Managing Partner, ENTECH Strategies LLC
Pamela Tomski is a pioneer at heart who is committed to advancing the clean energy transition and mentoring young professionals. She has worked for over two decades to develop and deploy carbon management technologies and policies and has been instrumental in building leadership capacity to support commercial deployment. She is applying this experience to the emerging critical minerals industry and serves as co-director of the Critical Minerals Leadership Academy (CMLA) and is a partner in the Powder River Basin CORE-CM project. In 2004, Pamela founded the Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration (RECS) with the vision to create a community of young professionals dedicated to deploying carbon management solutions. She serves as RECS director and is a member of the Work on Climate initiative. She is also a partner in the LongLeaf CCS Hub, WyoTCH Hub, and Southeast DAC Hub where she focuses on capacity building. She served for many years as a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and an advisory committee to the U.S. Secretary of Energy. She received a BA from The George Washington University.
Selena Gerace
Senior Research Professional, Community Engagement
Selena Gerace leads the social science team in the Energy Engagement, Leadership and Careers (ELC) program at the School of Energy Resources. Joining SER in 2020, Gerace has been instrumental in identifying Wyoming residents’ perspectives of energy development and the level of social license to operate. Additionally, she has been the go to expert in the state for community engagement on grant applications and award execution. Prior to joining SER, Gerace worked for UW Extension as the Outreach Coordinator on a National Science Foundation EPSCoR grant called the WAFERx project. She led the inter-jurisdictional team (including Montana State University, University of South Dakota, and University of Wyoming) in producing outreach products to communicate research findings with regional stakeholders.
She earned her undergraduate degree in Politics from Whitman College, and completed her MS at the University of Wyoming in 2016, where she double majored in Agricultural and Applied Economics and Environment and Natural Resources.
Davin Bagdonas
Senior Research Professional, Coal and Rare Earth Elements
Davin Bagdonas is a Senior Research Professional at the School of Energy Resources where he specializes in coal and unconventional resources for rare earth elements and critical minerals. He has extensively studied and published on the extraction of rare earth elements from coal fly ash, and served as the Principal Investigator for a DOE-funded Carbon Ore, Rare Earth and Critical Mineral (CORE-CM) project in the Greater Green River and Wind River Basins. He graduated from the University of Wyoming in 2004 with a degree in Geology. After a few years working with the WSGS, he returned to earn his master’s degree in 2014 in the same field. Following his education, Bagdonas worked briefly for the State of Wyoming sourcing uranium minerals throughout the state before joining the School of Energy Resources in 2015.
Tyler Brown, Ph.D.
Associate Research Professional, Structural Geology
Tyler Brown is an Associate Research Professional at the School of Energy Resources. Brown earned his undergraduate degree from Northern Arizona University in Geology and Geophysics. He then migrated to Wyoming where he earned his Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Wyoming. Throughout his education, he also gained practical industry experience through internships with Marathon Oil Corporation, ConocoPhillips, as well as with the United States Geological Survey. Brown began working in the Materials Characterization Lab in the UW Department of Geology & Geophysics as a technician beginning in 2016. He was promoted to the lab manager in 2021, and remained in the position until moving to SER. Through his role, he participated in and facilitated research for various departments across UW, other universities, industry partners, and members of the public. Since joining UW, he has managed the materials characterization lab and his own research includes conducting economic geology prospects of rare earth elements by looking at petrological and geochemical datasets to assess their economic feasibility. He also serves as the lead Principal Investigator for a DOE-funded regional coalition expanding a domestic critical mineral and materials supply.
Bob Gregory
Associate Research Professional, Mineral Resource Evaluation
Bob Gregory is an Associate Research Professional for the School of Energy Resources where he primarily focuses on the evaluation of ore deposits. A geologist by trade, he has worked in various capacities throughout his career with the Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) and has experience in geologic mapping, geochemical analysis, and mineral resource evaluation. In particular, he has been a leader in the analysis of rare earth elements, critical minerals, uranium, and industrial minerals. At SER, he is been involved in both DOE-funded Carbon Ore, Rare Earth and Critical Mineral (CORE-CM) project in the Greater Green River and Wind River Basins, and the Powder River Basin, as well as in the regional initiatives to created domestic critical mineral supply chains.
Cole Messa, Ph.D.
Assistant Research Professional, Geochemistry
Cole Messa is an Assistant Research Professional at the School of Energy Resources where he specializes in geochemistry, and has also cultivated a talent and expertise for identifying trace elements, including critical minerals and rare earth elements. 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 led to his selection as a Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium fellow for the 2022-2023 academic year. At SER, he applys 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 also manages the geotechnical lab.
Fred McLaughlin, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Economic Geology Research, UW School of Energy Resources
Dr. Fred McLaughlin is the Director of the School of Energy Resources' Center for Economic Geology Research, which houses the critical materials program, as well as the subsurface carbon management program and oil & gas initiatives. McLaughlin earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. from the University of Wyoming in Geology and Geochemistry and is a licensed professional geologist. He has been with the School of Energy Research since 2012 and was a founding member of CEGR (formerly known as the Carbon Management Institute). Prior to joining SER, he worked as a Geologic Analyst and Manager for the Wyoming State Geologic Survey for eight years.
Scott Quillinan
Senior Director of Research, UW School of Energy Resources
Scott Quillinan is the Senior Director of Research at the School of Energy Resources and oversees the entire research portfolio of the unit, covering areas such as commercial-scale carbon management, hydrogen, carbon engineering, rare earth element and critical mineral extraction, among others. Quillinan has dedicated his entire career to advancing research and technology in the energy sector for the betterment of the state. A geologist by trade, Quillinan joined SER in 2012. He previously worked for the Wyoming State Geologic Survey for six years after earning both his B.S. and M.S. in Geology and Geophysics from the University of Wyoming.
Sallie Greenberg, Ph.D.
Energy Consultant
Sallie Greenberg is a consultant focused on strategic advising, thought leadership, and evaluation & research services with a human element for energy transition. After receiving her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Geology from Alfred University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, she was awarded a Ph.D in Secondary and Continuing Education in 2013. Her experience spans over 30 years in the environmental and energy geosciences and spent the majority of her career at the Illinois State Geological Survey. As a consultant, she uses her foundation in scientific research, societal impacts, and her balanced portfolio of work in carbon capture and storage projects to help governments, institutions, think tanks, and organizations via strategic advising, thought leadership, and evaluation and research in the carbon management space.
Scott Montross, Ph.D.
Technology Manager - Critical Minerals and Materials, National Energy Technology Laboratory
Scott Montross is a Technology Manager for the Critical Minerals and Materials program at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). He also serves as a Center Lead for the Minerals to Materials Supply Chain Research Facility (METALLIC), which is led by NETL. His work is centered on re-establishing U.S. leadership in extracting and processing critical minerals from unconventional and secondary resources to support an economical, environmentally responsible, and geopolitically secure domestic supply chain. With over 20 years of experience, he studies mineral, rock, and fluid interactions, employing advanced characterization techniques and material testing to develop technologies for energy resource recovery. Montross earned his doctorate and master's degrees in Earth Sciences from Montana State University and a bachelor's degree in molecular biology and geology from Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Tom Tarka
Tom received his Bachelor of Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Delaware in 1996 and is a registered professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Prior to (re-)discovering his passion for energy research, Tom worked as an engineering researcher, computer programmer, mechanic, and webmaster.
Charles Sims
Professor of Energy and Environmental Policy and Director of the Center for Energy, Transportation, and Environmental Policy at the Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs
Dr. Charles Sims is the TVA Distinguished Professor of Energy and Environmental Policy and Director of the Center for Energy, Transportation, and Environmental Policy at the Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee. He is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics. Charles works on a variety of issues related to environmental and natural resource economics with a specific emphasis on the role of risk and uncertainty in natural resource, environmental, and energy policy. He was the Principal Investigator for the DOE-sponsored Southern Appalachian Carbon Ore, Rare Earths and Critical Minerals (CORE-CM) project. As part of that project, Charles led a team that developed the first estimates of the energy security costs of US reliance on imported rare earth elements. Charles is a co-editor of the academic journal Resource and Energy Economics, has served on several TVA advisory groups, and provides research support for the Tennessee State Energy Policy Council. Originally from the mountains of east Tennessee, Charles earned a PhD in economics from the University of Wyoming in 2009.
Madeleine J. Lewis
Associate Research Scientist and Lecturer
Madeleine Lewis is an associate research scientist and lecturer at the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources. Her research focuses on energy law and policy, including critical minerals, carbon capture and sequestration, advanced nuclear energy, and energy stakeholder engagement. Lewis holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and sociology from Carleton College, a master’s degree in Environment and Natural Resources from the University of Wyoming, and a juris doctor degree from the University of Wyoming. Before joining SER, Lewis served clients on energy-related issues as an attorney for the law firm of Crowley Fleck PLLP and also served as a federal district court clerk. She is licensed in Wyoming.
Denise Levitan
Research Geologist in the Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center at the U.S. Geological Survey
Dr. Denise Levitan is a Research Geologist in the Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center at the U.S. Geological Survey in Reston, VA, where she co-leads the Evolving Utilization of Solid Energy Fuels Project. Her research focuses on critical and trace elements associated with solid energy fuels, studying the geochemistry and mineralogy of coal refuse, coal combustion byproducts, and uranium mine waste. As a member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration, Denise serves as an associate editor for the journal Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration and is an alum of the Young Leaders Committee. Prior to joining USGS, she spent nearly nine years as an environmental and natural resources consultant. She holds a professional geologist license in Utah, a Ph.D. in geosciences from Virginia Tech, and a B.S. in geology from Yale.
Elisa Alonso
Assistant Chief for the Minerals Intelligence Research Section and currently Acting Deputy Director at the National Minerals Information Center at the U.S. Geological Survey
Dr. Elisa Alonso is Assistant Chief for the Minerals Intelligence Research Section and currently Acting Deputy Director at the National Minerals Information Center at the U.S. Geological Survey. She joined USGS in 2020 and her work focuses on critical minerals supply chain analysis. She is also the deputy Program Manager for the DARPA Open Price Exploration for National Security that aims to increase price transparency for mineral commodities with high production concentration. Prior to joining the USGS, Dr. Alonso was a strategic materials analyst supporting the Defense Logistics Agency Strategic Materials (the National Defense Stockpile manager) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Dr. Alonso graduated from McGill University with Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering and obtained a doctorate degree in Materials Science and Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Melissa Sanderson
Career Member of the US Foreign Service
Melissa ‘Mel’ Sanderson was a career member of the US Foreign Service for over twenty years, serving in a variety of countries and capacities including: heading the anti-narcotics program in El Salvador; promoting US business in Spain; NATO expansion in Poland; weapons of mass destruction in Russia, to reestablishing democratic elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo after their devasting war.
She fell in love with the people of the Congo and felt there was more for her to do there, so she accepted an offer from Phelps Dodge Copper & Gold to become the company’s Vice President for Africa and work toward establishing what still today is one of the world’s largest copper-cobalt mines, Tenke Fungurume. When Phelps was bought by Freeport McMoRan Melissa stayed on in the DRC for another 5 years in her capacity, before returning to the Phoenix Arizona headquarters to assume responsibility for global government relations and ESG (environmental, social and governance matters).
In 2020 she left Freeport and established MelSanderson Consulting, providing geo-strategic and ESG advice to position companies for sustainable success. She is also a founding partner in MECA (Mining Environmental Cultural Advisors). She is on the Boards of American Rare Earths, the Critical Minerals Institute and CVMR as well as the Japanese Friendship Garden(non-profit).
Justin Loyka
Energy Program Director, Wyoming Chapter of the Nature Conservancy
Justin Loyka is the Energy Program Director for the Wyoming Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, where he works to balance community needs, conservation priorities, and climate imperatives. Justin Received a B.S. in Mining and Minerals Engineering from Virginia Tech and began his career as an engineer with Peabody Energy. He spent a decade working as a water resources and environmental engineer in Wyoming before his current role. He works on the ground in communities, directly with project developers, and on policy to identify and work towards positive visions of Wyoming’s future.
Paul Bonifas
Director of Buisness Operations, RER
Paul Bonifas brings over a decade of experience within the energy sector in corporate development and strategic project management. As Director of Business Development at Rare Element Resources, Paul leads efforts in business growth initiatives, corporate partnerships, and stakeholder relations. He is the founder of Bonifas Consulting, where he has provided project management, economic analysis, and regulatory navigation services to clients across mining, petroleum, and greenfield energy development. Paul has also held leadership roles at 9H Energy, where he drove the development of datacenters & energy projects, and serves as a Board Director at the 9H Research Foundation, a non-profit focused on innovation and education in Wyoming. His career includes extensive work in mining, power grids, and regulatory affairs, with a focus on economic and technical development for energy projects. Paul holds an M.S. in Petroleum Engineering, an M.B.A., and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Wyoming. He is fluent in both English and French.
Tristan Childress
Economic Geologist
Tristan Morgan Childress, PhD, PG, is an economic geologist specializing in critical mineral resources, exploration geology, and ore deposit geochemistry. He currently supports the U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), focusing on critical mineral sustainability and carbon storage. Tristan has been heavily involved in NETL's Carbon Ore, Rare Earth, and Critical Minerals (CORE-CM) Initiative, leading multiple working groups and contributing to national strategies for resource development. His experience spans academia, government, and industry, including extensive fieldwork in North and South America and multiple peer-reviewed publications on iron oxide and critical mineral systems. Tristan received his bachelors in geology from the University of South Carolina and doctorate degree in economic geology from the University of Michigan and is a licensed geologist in the state of Wyoming.
Dave Green
Project Engineer at Western Fuels Wyoming’s Dry Fork Mine
Dave is the Project Engineer at Western Fuels Wyoming’s Dry Fork Mine and focuses primarily on the mine’s environmental compliance, bridging the gap between production and regulatory obligations. He aids multiple departments but specializes in coal geology and coal reserves planning. With over 35 years in Powder River Basin mining, he has experience in mine engineering/planning, production supervision, geotechnical analysis, environmental monitoring, and project planning. Dave graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1991 with a degree in Geology and is a registered Professional Geologist.
Madison Mankin
Assistant Research Professional
Madison Mankin is an Assistant Research Professional in the Energy Education, Leadership, and Careers Progam at the School of Energy Resources.
Mankin earned dual bachelor’s degrees from the University of Wyoming in Political Science and Communications, and then attended the UW College of Law for her Juris Doctor. Following graduation in 2013, she was admitted to the Wyoming State Bar and embarked on a career in private practice at the Gillette law firm of Daly & Sorenson, LLC and as a solo practitioner. Throughout her legal career, she has focused her practice areas on civil litigation, estate planning, natural resources, business transactions, and business formations.
Since 2016, she represented the T-Chair Livestock Co., T-Chair Land Company, and T-Chair Mineral Limited Partnership as General Counsel where she provided services for surface use and mineral issues, and contract negotiations.
Joining the SER team in 2024, Mankin conducts stakeholder engagement to inventory existing workforce partnerships and resources, education programs, and infrastructure, as well as identify gaps in terms of the skills needed for new and emerging industries or professional retraining.
Jamey Jones
Science Coordinator, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative
USGS Mineral Resources Program
Jamey Jones is a hard-rock geologist and geochronologist who specializes in the geologic framework and mineral resources of Alaska, the Lake Superior region, and the western U.S. Jones is presently the Science Coordinator for the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative or Earth MRI, a national data collection and synthesis engine working with state and industry partners to map above- and below-ground critical mineral resources. Jones is based in Anchorage, AK.
The University of Wyoming has earned its Research Level 1 (R1) status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, placing Wyoming's only four-year university with the top research universities in the United States.