College of Sciences
Department of Earth & Environmental Services
Fiscal Year 2024-2025
Dear Donor,
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your generous support. As I continue to learn and gain experience, both in and outside the department, I am excited and honored to be part of the journey. This has always been a special place defned by excellence, and it will always remain so. We owe you and our current students that promise.
I recently noticed that SDSU was ranked by Forbes as the 16th best public institution in America, and among the Top 50 “Green Colleges” by The Princeton Review for 2025! What a great treat—although not a surprise. I see that quality every day. I am certain that the excellence in our department helped the University achieve that lofty status. This must be true when you consider the quality of our teaching, research, feld opportunities, and the success of our graduates.
I could fll pages with reasons why I’m delighted to be the chair, and even more so, delighted to be part of this community—past, present , and future. We are deeply thankful that our generous donors fuel so much of this success in ways that impact our students every day.
Jessica H. Whiteside, Ph.D. Chair and Professor Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Propelling the SDSU Community Forward
George Jiracek Award in Geophysics Endowment
The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences received a signifcant donation to establish the George Jiracek Award in Geophysics Endowment, which will signifcantly impact undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students who are studying geological sciences, engineering geology, environmental geosciences, geophysics, or hydrogeology.
The fund supports student stipends and awards, travel to conferences or feldwork, publication fees, and geophysical equipment purchases, all of which prepare students for future successful careers.
SDSU researchers voyage of the coast of San Diego to study geophysics
Thriving in the Aztec Experience
Ella Horvath, Class of 2025 Class Level: Undergraduate Student College: College of Sciences Major: Environmental Science
Ella Horvath was selected by the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences as the Most Outstanding Undergraduate Student, recognized at this year's commencement ceremony.
Ella Horvath represented the College of Sciences at this year’s CSU-wide Student Research Competition, presenting “Microhabitat Use of Red Diamond Rattlesnakes (Crotalus ruber) in Southern California Coastal Sage Scrub.”
“Being surrounded by fellow passionate student-researchers was truly inspiring. This was an experience I'll never forget—I left with new friends, a newfound appreciation for Humboldt, and a strengthened sense of confdence in my abilities as a scientist.” — Ella
“Being surrounded by fellow passionate student-researchers was truly inspiring. This was an experience I'll never forget. — Ella
Celebrating Shared Success
Recent Rankings
The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES) is ranked #98 among Earth Sciences graduate programs in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Statistics of Interest
Earth and Environmental Science faculty had 32 papers published. $1.8 million was received in research grants by EES faculty. 58 conference abstracts were presented. Among the department’s student-researchers, there were 17 undergraduates, 6 M.S., and 4 Ph.D. students, representing nearly 40% of the student population.
Recent Highlights
To protect local cities and infrastructure from underwater threats, EES faculty members Jillian Maloney, Andrea Fabbrizzi, and their crew embarked on a nearly two-week scientifc voyage 100 miles of the coast of San Diego. They surveyed the ocean foor to identify how shifting faults and landslides thousands of feet underwater can trigger earthquakes and tsunamis on land.
SDSU science professors have a worldwide impact with research projects across the globe! This includes Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences Rafael Almeida’s work on earthquakes in the sparsely populated tropical jungles of eastern Ecuador.
EES had a strong presence at this year’s Sustainability Summit: Earth & Environmental Sciences Department Chair Jessica Whiteside and psychology and pre-med student Shefali Sharma emceed the event; Matthew Weingarten and students like Mauricio Salazar presented their sustainability science research
SDSU’s geology team won frst place in the Global Final of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists’ Imperial Barrel Award competition. With a project focused on the feasibility of a geothermal plant in Utah, this marks the frst time SDSU has won the entire competition, coming out ahead of 57 teams from 40 countries. Rafael Almeida, Allison Kimbrough, Bennet Spevack, Alicia Sigworth, Brianna Arrington, Cameron Kuld, Charlene Stodden, Jovani Bell, and Sarah Engel were part of the successful SDSU team.
EES ranks #98 nationally. Faculty published 32 papers, earned $1.8M in grants, presented 58 abstracts, with nearly 40% of students actively researching across all levels.
Rafael Almeida, Ph.D.
Title: Assistant Professor of Geological Sciences College: College of Sciences
Achievement: Dr. Rafael Almeida was nominated as the Most Outstanding Faculty Member for Academic Year 2024-2025.
Assistant Professor Almeida is recognized for enhancing student feld experiences, curriculum redesign, and mentoring the Imperial Barrel Award geothermal team, which won the 2025 world competition, bringing prestige to SDSU’s Earth and Environmental Sciences Department.
His feldwork in structural geology and tectonics has advanced our understanding of mountain building and basin formation, while providing students with invaluable hands-on experience that bridges theory and practice, inspiring many to pursue careers in the earth sciences.
In four years at SDSU, he has mentored seven undergraduates, six M.S. students, and one Ph.D. student, exemplifying the university's commitment to student excellence and opportunity.
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Dr. Almeida, honored as Most Outstanding Faculty 2024-2025, elevates SDSU Earth Sciences through innovative teaching, mentoring award-winning teams, and advancing mountainbuilding research.
