Allyson Murray '19

Bachelor of Science in Geology
Bachelor of Science in Marine Science

 

Allyson Murray had fallen in love with marine science and oceanography while in high school. After a Physical Geology course at Stockton, she knew Geology was the right career path. Through the guidance of her perceptor, she was able to pursue both her interests with a double major in Geology and Marine Science.

Murray has been involved in field research in both geology and marine science. This past fall, Murray conducted geologic field research in the Adirondacks.

In 2017, Murray, along with Dr. Matthew Severs, Associate Professor of Geology, and a fellow geology student, completed a project reinvestigating iron ore mines of the New Jersey Highlands. The project was funded through a Research Experience for Undergraduates awarded to Murray and Severs through Stockton University.

Samples collected were sent out for bulk rock geochemistry, which included Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry and X-Ray Flurosecence. Thin sections of the samples were examined through a petrographic microscope to observe the optical properties of the minerals. The research was presented at the 2018 Geological Society of America Northeastern Conference in Burlington, Vermont. 

This past spring, Murray prepared a project with Severs to study volcanics in Arizona. Samples for the project were collected on the Geology Club trip to Arizona in May. 

This summer, Murray is participating in a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded research experience for undergraduates at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography. She will be part of the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Oceanography Program (SURFO).

SURFO is a 10-week program designed for science, math and engineering students who have just completed their junior year of undergraduate coursework. The program includes laboratory work, instrumentation development, dynamical modeling, data analysis and a research cruise. It emphasizes the quantitative aspects of Oceanography, so student projects involve fluid dynamics, marine geophysics, or numerical/physical modeling. 

Murray has consistently made the Dean's List throughout her academic tenure at Stockton and is scheduled to graduate with honors next spring.