Outstanding Seniors in the College of Science: T. Genevieve Bergin
This fall, departments in the University of Arizona's College of Science nominated an outstanding senior who went above and beyond during their time as a Wildcat. We are pleased to share their stories as they reflect on their time at UArizona. Next up in the senior spotlight series is T Genevieve Bergin in the Department of Geosciences.
T Genevieve Bergin
Hometown: Tacoma, Washington
Department: Geosciences
College of Science: Why did you choose your area of study?
Bergin: Geology has always been fascinating to me. The unfathomable span of geologic time paired with field work, rockhounding, and the beauty of minerals captured my interest and kept it. Geology leads to so many avenues so you can be a lifetime geologist and never get bored. It’s possible to travel worldwide for research, exploration, and conferences as a geologist and there’s still so much to discover. In fact, the theory of tectonics has only been around since the 1960s. I feel eager like a kid on Christmas morning to find out what we’ll discover next.
COS: Tell us about a class or research project you really enjoyed.
Bergin: Of the many highlights of my college career, I really enjoyed working with Mark Pecha and George Gehrels of the Arizona Laserchron Center to create research projects to present at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show and GeoDaze. Our 2022 project connected the rare earth element inclusions to the fluorescence and zoning in Weardale fluorites on a very quick timeline. Doing this project gave me confidence and that’s when I began to see myself as someone who can contribute to science. Huge thanks to George and Mark! You are the best!
COS: What is one specific memory from your time at UA that you'll cherish forever?
Bergin: One of my favorite memories at the University of Arizona occurred on my Sedimentary and Stratigraphy field trip in the Spring of 2023. Our class traveled to Anza-Borrego and the Algodones Dunes. My good friends and I got to frolic, make sand angels and even roll down the dunes. I was finding sand for days and it was so worth it. We sang silly songs Weird Al Yankovic style, gathered around the campfire, and shared coffee together in the cool dawn. What an amazing experience!
COS: What is next for you after graduation?
Bergin: I am delighted to say that I have been offered a job as a core logger at a porphyry copper deposit here in Arizona. I will spend my days looking at rocks and the minerals they contain, sussing out the mysteries of their past to find copper. I hope to stay connected with academia and pursue my master’s degree after a little recovery time. I also hope to create public engagement and facilitate education of geology.