Cristina Millan

Name: Cristina Millan Status: Ph.D. student Undergraduate University: The Ohio State University Research Interests: Structural Geology, Tectonics, Microstructures Home Country: Spain

Why did you choose to work with Terry?
Terry's research is far reaching both geographically (from the United States to Antarctica!) as well as intellectually. She is not afraid to incorporate new tools from a variety of disciplines if it aids in the advancement of a particular project, and I know the research techniques I am learning from Terry are applicable to the modern job market in both the Environmental and Earth Science fields. I like her teaching style and her approachable personality, and the fact she always takes into consideration your personal interests and career goals when discussing possible research topics, whether at the undergraduate or graduate levels.

What is your most memorable or favorite moment from the field?
A favorite moment: During field camp as an undergraduate student I was having lunch with another student on Mantai Hill near Ephraim, Utah, and looking at rock layers crossing a dry ravine right in front of us. We realized, at that moment, these rock layers clearly behaved according to the "rule of V's", one of the most basic structural rules in the making and interpretation of geologic maps, and one that some people have trouble visualizing.
I guess for me this was the realization that many of the things we had learned in class, studied on books, and seen on diagrams, are the product of many field studies and detailed observations by others before us, but seeing them in the field is an invaluable tool for the understanding of many geologic principles.
A memorable moment: Seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time at sunset and thinking about what it took to make it look this way...

What do you hope to do after graduate school? I have been a Teaching Assistant in the School of Earth Sciences for a few years and this reaffirmed my original plan of becoming a professor. I want to teach, but also hope to continue doing research, although at a less intense level than here at OSU. A small (liberal arts?) school might have the right combination of teaching and research that will suit my strengths and interests.

Favorite quote?
Not a quote, but a 'motto' a friend once sent me:
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"
Anonymous

What advice would you give to incoming students?
The Earth is a never ending source of wonders, from deep in its interior all the way to the upper levels of the atmosphere. There is still much to know and all you need is the passion and the desire to be one of the discoverers...