People
Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, past and present, in the McCoy research group at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers I have advised. Current group members are in bold; for former members I note the dissertation or thesis and the first position taken after leaving the group.
Ph.D. students
Isaac Leb — Geological Engineering (2026–present). Post-fire debris flows and erosion.
Cody Russo — Geological Engineering (2024–present). Debris-flow hazards.
Sophie Rothman — Hydrological Sciences (2019–2024), co-advised. Dissertation: Waterfall Erosion and Alteration of River Form. → Postdoctoral researcher, France.
David Cavagnaro — Geology (2019–2023). Dissertation: Understanding post-wildfire debris-flow activity across climates: insights on initiation conditions and flow identification. → Research Scientist, California Geological Survey.
Scott Feehan — Hydrological Sciences (2017–2023). Dissertation: Controls on the uncertainty of sediment-transport thresholds and the implications for interpreting river processes. → River engineer, US Army Corps of Engineers → USGS Mendenhall.
Helen Beeson — Geology (2014–2019). Dissertation: Quantification of internal system dynamics and external forcing in bedrock river networks. → Postdoctoral researcher, ETH Zürich → Research Scientist, USGS.
M.S. students
- Aaron Bennett — Professional M.S., Geological Engineering (2022–2025).
- Caleb Ring — Geological Engineering (2022–2024). Thesis: Hydraulic geometry of debris-flow channel networks with implications for discharge estimation. → Geological Engineer, BGC.
- Ingrid Sutter — Geological Engineering (2020–2022). Thesis: Mapping post-wildfire erosion across California using very high-resolution multitemporal satellite imagery. → Geotechnical Engineer, Haley & Aldrich (Oahu).
- Nate Delgado — Geology (2019–2022). Thesis: Quantification of wildfire-induced perturbations to soil-water retention curves and their impact on rainfall runoff. → Geomorphologist, Cardno.
- Alison Cramer — Geological Engineering (2018–2021). Thesis: Mapping temporal changes of surface elevation and potentially acid-generating material on abandoned mine lands using remotely piloted aerial systems. → Environmental Specialist, Resource Concepts Inc.
- Sara Jensen — Geological Engineering (2014–2016). Thesis: Numerical investigation of granular flow dynamics over complex topography: quantifying the efficacy of in-path engineered structures to control granular flow mobility and impact velocity. → Geotechnical Engineer, NDOT.
- Jonathan Jacquet — Hydrological Sciences (2014–2016); Best GPHS M.S., 2016. Thesis: Quantifying environmental controls on the magnitude of glacial lake outburst floods and the resulting impacts to hydrology and geomorphology: Lago Cachet Dos, Patagonia, Chile. → Geological Engineer, Balance Hydrologic.
- Brian Anderson — Hydrological Sciences (2014–2016), co-advised. Thesis: Analysis of fault rupture potential resulting from large-scale groundwater withdrawal: application to Spring Valley, Nevada. → Environmental consultant.
Postdoctoral researchers
- Will Struble — 2023–2024, co-advised. → Assistant Professor, University of Houston.
- Leif Anderson — 2021–2023. → Research Scientist, University of Utah.
- Amelia Winner — 2021–2023. → High-school physics teacher.
- Kerri Johnson — 2016–2018. → Postdoctoral researcher, UC Berkeley.
Research Scientist:
Jonathan Jacquet (2022– Present)