Samantha Tramontano

Dissertation Topic: Magma Evolution Preceding Arc and Hot-Spot Eruptions Following Decadal–Centennial Repose Periods.

Advisor: Marc-Antoine Longpré

Samantha Tramontano is a PhD candidate and adjunct lecturer with positions at The Graduate Center, Queens College, and the College of Staten Island studying volcanology, petrology, and mineralogy. She received a BSc from the University of Rochester, USA in Geology, completed field work and a semester of study with the Frontiers Abroad Program at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, and received a MSc in Geology from Vanderbilt University, USA. Most of her graduate research examines the evolution of magma systems prior to eruption, and many of her projects combine analytical geochemistry methods and computational thermodynamic modelling. Currently, she is deciphering how and why volcanoes erupt after quiet periods of 100 years (or more) under the supervision of Prof. Marc-Antoine Longpré. She is an advocate for incorporating field methods in research and is very grateful for opportunities to study the rocks in New Zealand, Brazil, California, Arizona, Italy, Oregon, Nicaragua, New York, and New Jersey. Samantha spent time working as a fellow with the Center of Teaching at Vanderbilt University (USA) to develop a blended and online learning program to aid undergraduate learners in obtaining an optical microscopy skill set. All videos and quizzes are open-source and are available at earthopticsmineralogy.com. She now teaches a variety of Earth science labs and lectures as part of her fellowship at CUNY and has spent 7 summers working with the Brooklyn-based STEM- & design-focused summer programs for girls at Curious Jane.

When she is not geologizing, Samantha (also known as Sam, or Sam Tram) loves incorporating music and the arts in her daily life, due largely to experiences playing saxophone and dancing (not simultaneously). Born and raised in Staten Island, Samantha currently resides in Brooklyn, NY.