135 Padnos Hall of Science
One Campus Drive
Allendale, Michigan 49401-9403
Office Telephone: (616)-331-8996
Office Fax: (616)-331-3740
Electronic Mail: [email protected]

EDUCATION

Ph.D. Geology, Texas A&M University, Department of Geology & Geophysics (2008)
B.A. Geology and B. A. Biology, Environmental Science Concentration, Albion College, Departments of Geology and Biology (2001)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Assistant Professor (Tenured), Grand Valley State University, Geology Department (2014-present)       

Visiting Assistant Professor, Grand Valley State University, Geology Department (2011-2014)              

Assistant Professor, California State University, Fullerton, Department of Geological Sciences (2008-2011)

Adjunct Professor, University of St. Thomas, Department of Geology (2010)

Hydrogeology Field Camp Instructor, Western Michigan University, Department of Geosciences (2013-Present)

Graduate Research/Teaching Assistant, Texas A&M University, Department of Geology & Geophysics (2003-2008)

Geologist-GS-7, Volcano Hazards/Paleoclimate Division, United States Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA (2001-2003)

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Vice-Chair, The Geological Society of America, North-Central Section (2021 – present)

Meeting Chair, 57th Annual Meeting of the North-Central Section of the Geological Society of America (2021-present)

COURSES

GEO 100: Environmental Geology

GEO 105: Living with the Great Lakes

GEO 111: Exploring the Earth

GEO 112: Historical Geology

GEO 175: Research Tools for Geosciences

GEO 220: Earth Surface Materials and Systems

GEO 360: Earth Resources in Transition

GEO 440: Geohydrology

GEO 445: Geochemistry

Research Interests

My primary area of research is in environmental biogeochemistry. I use field and laboratory techniques to predict chemical form, mobility, and toxicity in dynamic natural environments (ex. wetlands). I am a very interdisciplinary scientist and I often utilize fundamental knowledge in thermodynamics, geochemistry, microbiology, and hydrogeology to study the fate of chemicals in natural systems.

Recent Projects:

Evaluating porewater sampling techniques for analysis and determination of biogeochemically-mediated redox processes in hydrologically dynamic and environmentally sensitive systems (ex. wetland/marsh systems that are ecologically fragile and of geoheritage significance, such as sites with native wild rice habitat).

Long-term evaluation of biodegradation products of tar sands crude oil from spill sites using laboratory and field microcosms.

Geochemical monitoring of stormwater chemistry changes following anthropogenic perturbations.

Selected Publications

Kneeshaw, T.A., Lockmiller, K.A., 2018, Persistence of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Sediments Following a Tar Sands Oil Spill. SF Journal of Petroleum, Vol. 2, n 2.

Wampler, P.J., Kneeshaw, T.A., 2013, Storm Water Management Complex 2012 Monitoring Final Report, Grand Valley State University, Technical Report (https://www.gvsu.edu/stormwater/).  

Kneeshaw, T.A., McGuire, J.T., Cozzarelli, I.M., Smith, E.W., 2011, In Situ Rates of Sulfate Reduction in Response to Geochemical Perturbations. Ground Water, Vol. 49, n. 6, p. 903-913.

Markley, C.T., Miller, H., Kneeshaw, T.A., Herbert, B.E., 2009, Influence of Instructors’ Conceptions of Learning on Classroom Education in Geology at a Doctoral/Research University. Journal of Geoscience Education, Vol. 57, n. 4, p. 264-274.

Kneeshaw, T.A., McGuire, J.T., Smith, E.W., Cozzarelli, I.M., 2007, Evaluation of Sulfate Reduction at Experimentally Induced Mixing Interfaces Using Small-Scale Push-Pull Tests in an Aquifer-Wetland System. Applied Geochemistry, Vol. 22, 2618-2629.

RECENT CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

(*denotes student author)

Huth, T., Konecky, B., Hutchings, J., Wilke, T., Winkelstern, I., Kneeshaw, T., Deuerling, K., Paradis, C., Xu, S., Peshman, J., 2022, Water Isotope Systematics: Improving Modern and Paleoclimate Interpretations. (PP030) to be presented at 2022 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, 12-16 Dec.

 *Ashton, J.M., Wampler, P.J. and Kneeshaw, T.A., 2020, Comparison of 1990 and 2020 Water Quality Data for the Grand River. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol 52, No. 6, doi: 10.1130/abs/2020AM-356237

*Gonzalez, J.M., Kneeshaw, T.A., Metz Brenneman, J., Ashton, J.M., 2019, Hydrogeochemical Investigation of Native Wild Rice Habitat In Southwest Michigan. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 51, No. 5, doi: 10.1130/abs/2019AM-339676.

*Ashton, J.M., Gonzalez, J.M., Kneeshaw, T.A., Metz Brenneman, J., 2019, Characterization of Sediment and Organic Matter in a Unique Natural Wetland System in Southwest Michigan. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 51, No. 5, doi: 10.1130/abs/2019AM-339670.

*Actis, N., Kneeshaw, T.A., Kovacs, D., 2019, Continuation of an Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) following a Tar Sands Oil Spill in the Kalamazoo River. GVSU Student Scholars Day. https://www.gvsu.edu/cms4/asset/2466C778-EC8B-96D5-76D6EAEF1CEF9D3E/ssd_abstract_book_2019.pdf.

*Stuart, Z., Kneeshaw, T.A., 2019, Environmental and Kinetic Aspects of Polycyclic Aromatic Hyrdocarbon Biodegradation.  GVSU Student Scholars Day.

Reeves, D.M., Howe III, T.R., Kneeshaw, T.A., Stegink, D.A., Werkema, D. and Yordy, B., 2018, Complementing Practical Application With Recent Technological Advances In The WMU Field Hydrogeology Course.  Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 50, No. 4.

Kneeshaw, T.A., Lockmiller, K.A., 2017, Evaluation of Residual Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sediments Following a Spill of Diluted Bitumen. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 49, No. 6.

Kneeshaw, T.A., Howe, T.R., 2017, An All-Inclusive Field-Based Approach to Teaching Groundwater Sampling and Monitoring.  Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 49, No. 6.

*Tiemeyer, A., Kneeshaw T.A, Driver, E.M., 2017, Using Microcosms to Evaluate Iron and Sulfate Reduction Rates Under Varying Biogeochemical Conditions.  Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 49, No. 6.

Kneeshaw, T.A., Driver, E.M., 2017, Spatial Variability and Kinetic Controls on Biogeochemical Processes: Insights into the Role of Hydrologic Variability and Donor Availability.  Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 49, No. 2.

*Stegman, M.E., Kneeshaw, T.A., Menold, C.A., 2017, A Comparison of Surface Water Salt Concentrations From Different Road Salting Methods.  Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 49, No. 2.

*Knoper, L., Kneeshaw, T.A., and Koches, J., 2016, A Preliminary Assessment of Implementing Stream Daylighting Strategies on Little Black Creek in Muskegon County, MI.  Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 48, No. 5.

*Lockmiller, K. A., Kneeshaw, T. A., Woldyk, N., and Qi, M., 2016, Presence and Distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sediment Contaminated with Tar Sands Crude Oil.  Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 48, No. 5.