Robert J. Gillis
M.S. geology
University of California, Los Angeles
Research
My thesis research involves constraining the exhumation
history of the Cordillera Real in the Eastern Cordillera of the Bolivian
Andes through collaborative regional geologic mapping, sedimentary
basin analysis, and a wide range of geochronologic analyses including
U-Pb, 40Ar/39Ar, fission track, and (U-Th)/He. The Andes mountain range
and central Andean plateau are the second largest orogen-plateau system
in the world after the Himalayan-Tibetan system and is the largest subduction-related
mountain range on Earth, yet the timing and manner in which it has achieved
its current elevation are debated. Situated on the eastern margin of the
central Andean plateau, the Cordillera Real exhibits the highest elevation
and greatest relief in the Andean fold-thrust belt. This mountain range
is ideal for studying the cooling history of the region with its excellent
exposure of granitic rock and potential for sampling over large elevational
transects. For this study, sample locations for thermochronologic analyses
were selected based on results of new 1:50,000 scale geologic mapping
allowing interpretation of cooling ages within a structural framework.
Tertiary basin deposits containing synorogenic sediments and datable volcanic
beds located near the western terminations of mapped transects provide
constraints on timing, rates and source regions for sedimentation onto
the Altiplano during exhumation of the adjacent Eastern Cordillera.
I am also involved in a project outside of my thesis study area
with my advisor, Brian Horton, performing U-Pb geochronology of detrital
zircons from late Paleozoic to Neogene rocks from the Alborz mountains
in Iran. Detrital zircon ages from strata of known age and geologic
context provide age constraints on collisional events between the Arabian
and Eurasian plates, including the onset of collision currently forming
the Alborz and Zagros mountain ranges, and contribute to the global detrital
zircon reference. Related work as an undergraduate with George Gehrels
at the University of Arizona was based on U-Pb analysis of detrital zircons
from the Oaxaca terrane of southern Mexico to help define the pre-Mesozoic
paleogeography of nuclear Mexico.
Additional interests include the interaction between tectonics
and climate in orogenic systems, and Late Pleistocene-Holocene paleoclimatology/ecology,
particularly with respect to fossil rodent midden analysis and dendrochronology
(see links).
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Vitae
Education
University of California, Los Angeles
Master of Science in geology, expected May 2005
University of Arizona, Tucson
Bachelor of Science in Geology, December 2001
- Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
Awards
- Student research
grant awards: Geological Society of America, 2004, 2003; Sigma Xi,
2004
- Outstanding Graduating
Senior Award, Department of Geosciences, 2001
- Evans B. Mayo
Award for outstanding achievement, University of Arizona geology field camp, 2000
Professional Experience
University of California, Los Angeles,
1/2005 - Present
Research Assistant II
- Geochronology: sample preparation, U-Pb
SIMS analysis of detrital zircon, data reduction and interpretation of results
for publication in peer-reviewed journal
University
of California, Los Angeles, 9/2002 - 7/2004
Research and teaching assistant
- Field work: planning and execution of two summer
field seasons spanning 6 months in remote, high-elevation regions
of the Eastern Cordillera, central Andes, Bolivia
- Geologic mapping: 1:50,000 scale, generation
of structural cross sections.
- Sedimentary basin analysis: measurement
of stratigraphic sections, sandstone petrofacies and paleocurrent
analyses, sedimentary facies definition and interpretation
- Basin modeling:
time-sequenced flexural modeling of central Andes based on published balanced
regional cross sections, sedimentary basin record and thermochronologic data
from the western and eastern Cordilleras and Altiplano using MATLAB-based
modeling program
- Thermochronology:
40Ar/39Ar, apatite fission track, (U-Th)/He thermochonologic
techniques including sample collection, mineral separation, laboratory
analyses, and thermal modeling
- Geochronology: U-Pb analysis of magmatic
and detrital zircon using Cameca 1270 ion microprobe.
- Teaching: geology field camp, introductory
geology, paleontology, and history
of dinosaurs courses
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Division of Earth
and Environmental Sciences, Los Alamos, NM, 12/2002 – 1/2003, 3/2002
– 7/2002
Graduate Research Assistant: seismic
hazards program at LANL
Mentor: Alexis
Lavine
- Geologic mapping: of the Pajarito fault
system at 1:6,000 and 1:1,200 scales using conventional mapping
and base-station GPS techniques
- GIS: creation of
digital geologic maps from field mapping efforts using ArcGIS 8.2
The Desert Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson,
10/1998 – 12/2001
Laboratory and field assistant: paleoclimatological
and paleoecological studies
Mentor: Dr.
Julio Betancourt
- Field collection and laboratory preparation of fossil
rodent middens
- Sample preparation and vacuum-line extraction
of CO2 gas from organic material for radiocarbon dating
Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona,
Tucson, 1/1998 – 6/2001
Field assistant: tectonic studies in
remote regions of far western Nepal
Mentors: Dr.
Delores Robinson, Dr. Peter DeCelles
- Geologic mapping: 1:50,000 scale
- Backpacking
over 900 km over a two-month period
Laboratory and field assistant:
detrital zircon provenance studies
Mentor: Dr.
George Gehrels
- Sample collection and mineral separation for U-Pb analysis
- Data interpretation and first authorship for publication
in peer-reviewed journal (in review)
Laboratory and field assistant:
paleoclimate studies
Mentor: Dr.
Judith Parrish
- Field collection of fossil wood, description
of specimens, measurement growth rings.
- Interpretation of results
Merrick & Company Engineers and Architects/Raytheon
Engineers and Constructors, Denver, CO, 7/1987–7/1997
Mechanical designer/drafter
- Lead and team designer of
custom mechanical equipment: systems for containment and remote handling
of nuclear and toxic materials for the U.S. Department of Energy, Department
of Defense, and private industry
- As-built assessment of aging
nuclear and petroleum production facilities: independent, thorough walk-downs
of entire complex and facility systems for creation of revised facility and
process diagrams in compliance with Federal code
- Process piping systems design: coal-bed methane
extraction and oil refinery retrofits
- Computer-aided drafting and design
using AutoCAD up to version 14 and AutoDesk's Mechanical Desktop3d
solid modeling software
Leadership and Service
- Coordinator of weekly research colloquium, Department
of Earth and Space Sciences, UCLA, Winter 2004
- Geology Representative, Earth and Spaces Sciences
Student Organization, UCLA, 2003-2004
- Undergraduate Representative to faculty, University
of Arizona, 2001
- President, Society of Earth Science Students,
University of Arizona, 2000-2001
- Treasurer, Society of Earth Science Students,
University of Arizona, 1998-2000
Publications, Abstracts and
Presentations
- Gillis, R.J., Gehrels, G.E., Ruiz, J., and Flores de Dios
Gonzales, A. (in review) Detrital
zircon provenance of Cambrian-Ordovician and Carboniferous strata of the
Oaxaca Terrane: southern Mexico: Sedimentary
Geology, Special Volume
- Gillis, R.J., Horton, B.K.,
and Grove, M. (2004) Exhumation history and basin development along
the eastern margin of the central Andean Plateau, Bolivia: Geological Society of America Abstracts and Programs,
v.36, no.5
- Horton, B.K., R.J. Gillis, D.F. Stockli,
J. Hassanzadeh, G.J. Axen, and M. Grove, (2004) Detrital record of Phanerozoic
tectonics in Iran: Evidence from U-Pb zircon geochronology: Eos, Transactions,
American Geophysical Union, v.85, no. 47, p.xxxx
- Gillis, R.J., Horton, B.K., and Grove, M. (2003) Assessing
mechanisms of exhumation in the Cordillera Real, Bolivia, based
on regional structural mapping and thermochronology: Eos, Transactions,
American Geophysical Union, v.84, no.46
- Gillis, R.J., Horton, B.K., and Grove, M. (2003) Exhumation
of the Cordillera Real, Bolivia, based on new geologic mapping
and 40Ar/39Ar thermochronology: Geological Society
of America Abstracts and Programs, v.34, no.7, p.515
- Gillis, R.J., Gehrels, G.E., Ruiz, J., and Flores de
Dios Gonzales, A. (2001) Paleogeographic implications of detrital zircon
ages for the Oaxaca Terrane of southern Mexico: Geological
Society of America Abstracts and Programs, v.33, no.6, p.428
- Gillis, R.J. (2001) Constraining
the paleogeographic history of the Oaxaca Terrane of southern
Mexico based on detrital zircon ages: Oral presentation, 29th Annual GeoDaze Symposium, University
of Arizona
- Gillis, R.J. (2000) Late
Oligocene fossil wood from Sonoita Creek State Natural Area
and paleoclimate of southwest Arizona: Invited talk, Sonoita Creek State Natural Area Grand Opening
- Gillis, R.J., and Parrish,
J.T. (1999) Late Oligocene fossil wood from Sonoita Creek State
Natural Area and paleoclimate of Southwest Arizona: Poster presentation, 27th Annual GeoDaze Symposium, University of
Arizona
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Computer Skills
- ArcGIS 8.2: geographic information systems software
- Envi 3.2: remote sensing software
- 2D and 3DMove: structural modeling software short
course through Midland Valley
- AutoCAD 14, 2000 and Mechanical Desktop v.2.1:
CAD and 3D solid modeling software
- Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
- Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint
Professional Affiliations
- American Geophysical
Union
- Geological Society
of America
- American Association
of Petroleum Geologists
Course Work
- Mineralogy
- Petrology
- Stratigraphy/Paleontology
- Structural Geology
- Geomorphology
- Introduction to Geophysics
- Isotope Geochemistry
- Geology Field Camp
- Graduate Field Mapping
- Advanced Field Mapping
- Advanced Physical Sedimentology
- Sedimentary Basin Analysis (audit)
- Tectonics of Sedimentary Basins
- Active Tectonics
- Paleotectonics
- Orogenic Systems
- Geodynamics and Paleomagnetics
- Thermochronometry
- Secondary Ionization Mass Spectroscopy
- Introduction to Dendrochronology
- Quaternary Geochronology
- Glacial and Quaternary Geology
- Climate Systems
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Remote Sensing
- Advanced Remote Sensing
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Links
Travel log of the 2003 UCLA geologic field course
across the central Andes led by Brian Horton. Includes cultural and geologic
images from the Bolivian Altiplano, Western and Eastern Cordilleras
Andes-related research: http://www2.ess.ucla.edu/~horton/andes_links.html
(pilfered from my advisor's
page)
Central Andes Quaternary paleoclimate (dated):
http://wwwpaztcn.wr.usgs.gov/pcaw/
Department
of Earth and Space Sciences, UCLA: http://www.ess.ucla.edu/
Department of Geosciences,
University of Arizona: http://www.geo.arizona.edu/
George Gehrels Geochronology, tectonics
Peter
DeCelles Sedimentology,
tectonics
Department of
Geological Sciences, University of Alabama: http://www.geo.ua.edu/
Delores Robinson Structural geology, sedimentology, tectonics
Desert Laboratory: http://wwwpaztcn.wr.usgs.gov/home.html
Julio
Betancourt Ecosystem
and watershed responses to climate variability/rodent midden analysis
Laboratory of
Tree Ring Research: http://www.ltrr.arizona.edu/
Ultimate
Tree-Ring Web Pages: http://web.utk.edu/~grissino/
Earth and Environmental
Sciences, Los Alamos National Laboratory: http://www.ees.lanl.gov/index.shtml
Environmental
Geology and Spatial Analysis: http://www.ees.lanl.gov/Organization/ees9.shtml
New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral
Resources: http://geoinfo.nmt.edu/
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Bolivian Andes Images
Cordillera Real from the Altiplano
before a storm
West face, Huayna Potosí
(elevation 6088 m/19969
ft)
Advisor Brian Horton, at 5400 m (17712 ft) on Huayna Potosí
Quimsa Cruz weaver and children
School house in
Cordillera Real
Dawn in the Quimsa Cruz
Receding alpine glacier, Cordillera Real
Salla-Luribay Formations growth
strata
Pablo Amaya sunrise, Cordillera Real
Coca-chewing Aymaran woman, Quimsa Cruz
Winter (austral) hacienda for two field seasons
Brian Horton returning to civilization
with the goods
Deadliest road in the world: the road to Coroico
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