Kira Tomenchok Geology Teaching Assistant

Kira Tomenchok

Science Addition G21
540-458-8866
ktomenchok@wlu.edu

Education

M.S.E., Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan (2020)

  • Society of Women Engineers mentorship at the University of Liberia (August 2019)

B.S., Geology (with honors), Washington and Lee University (2018)

  • Research wtih Keck Geology Consortium in Dominica, West Indies (Summer 2017)
  • Study Abroad in Iceland (Spring Term 2017)
  • Study Abroad at the University of Otago, New Zealand (Fall 2016)

Research

University of Michigan:
I am interested in geologic carbon sequestration technology. Under Brian Ellis, I researched pore-scale changes of CO2 injection into heterogeneous saline aquifers and developed an improved workflow for pore geometry segmentation combining SEM and XCT imaging techniques with machine learning on ImageJ. I presented a poster at AGU in 2019 and I am currently working to publish my research.

I am also very interested in clean energy and I worked with the Graham Sustainability Institute. I worked on a team with 3 interdisciplinary graduate students to assess the feasibility of in-pipe micro-hydropower for the city of Ann Arbor's Water Treatment plant. As the lead project engineer, I analyzed flow and excess pressure data in the Ann Arbor water distribution system to determine the ideal location for implementing micro turbines. Using this data, I coordinated with 2 micro-hydropower companies to determine potential energy output, and ultimately generate a cost-benefit analysis of each technology.

Washington and Lee:
I did my senior Honors Thesis through the Keck Geology Consortium under Amanda Schmidt (Oberlin College) and Dave Harbor (Washington and Lee University). I traveled to Dominica, West Indies and I tested fallout radionuclides in river sediment to fingerprint erosional processes of the different watersheds. Through this project I worked extensively with ArcGIS PRO, X-Ray Fluorescence, X-Ray Diffraction, and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry.