Student Researchers

Dairian Boddy

MS Student (2024—current)

Dairian’s research focuses on understanding the role of deep crustal boundaries in localizing Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) deposits by using geochemical tracers to reconstruct fluid migration pathways and ore component sources. His research aims to elucidate the controls on mineralization in and around Kentucky, emphasizing the influence of local fluid-rock interactions. Additionally, he is employing detailed isotope and fluid inclusion studies of barite to uncover previously unrecognized systematics, which can help refine both genetic models and exploration strategies for MVT deposits in Kentucky and similar geologic settings.

Ben Schafler

MS Student (2024—current)

Ben’s MS thesis research explores how sedimentological and early diagenetic processes influence fluid flow and mineralization in Mississippi Valley-type deposits. He is focusing on differentiating between physical controls (such as flow barriers or channels) and chemical controls (such as local fluid-rock interactions) in the development of mineralized zones. His research has important implications for refining genetic and exploration models of MVT deposits, offering insights into the key factors that govern the localization of mineralization in sedimentary sequences.

Zach Walton

MS Student (2022—2024)

Zach’s MS thesis research focused on determining the nature and origin of carbonate alteration that affected ultramafic lamprophyre dikes occurring in the Western Kentucky Fluorspar District.

Zach is now, with his MS degree in hand, a full-time employee of the Kentucky Geological Survey. Before starting his graduate studies, Zach interned with the Kentucky Geological Survey in their ‘Paul Edwin Potter Internship Program.’ During his internship, Zach collected fluid inclusion microthermometry data on fluorite, sphalerite and calcite samples from the Western Kentucky Fluorspar District.

Zach also worked at KGS as a student employee during the summer of 2021 with Dr. Lukoczki helping with the organization and inventory of a legacy rock and mineral collection with specimens from Kentucky’s mineral districts.

Laura Oborne

Undergraduate Researcher (2021—2022)

Laura worked on modern Ca-Mg carbonate sediments from Brazilian lagoons. Her work was instrumental in preparing the samples for X-ray diffraction analysis to characterize the mineralogical composition of the sediments in these lagoons with the ultimate goal to elucidate how high-Mg calcite transforms to dolomite.

Laura presented the results of her research project at the North-Central/Southeastern GSA meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio, in April, 2022. Her abstract can be read here.

After graduating with her BS in Geology degree at UKy, Laura secured a job working as a hydrogeologist with the North Dakota Department of Water Resources. Follow her career here.