Dr. Kara Brugman is an experimental petrologist who comes to UNM from Arizona State University, where she worked as an Associate Research Scientist. In her work, she uses high-temperature and high-pressure experiments to create and study magmas in the lab. This research has both terrestrial and extraterrestrial applications, focusing broadly on magma genesis and eruptive timescales. Her work helps reconstruct Earth’s volcanic history and the processes that shaped present-day conditions, while also offering insight into the geochemical habitability of exoplanets and how long those conditions might persist.

Outside of research, Kara enjoys indoor rock climbing, watching Deep Space Nine, food and reading. She is looking forward to learning and seeing more of the world-class geology that New Mexico has to offer. She is especially excited to take advantage of the department’s in-house facilities, including the IOM’s multi-anvil press, as well as to be part of a program that bridges both Earth and planetary sciences.

Dr. Katie Markovich is a groundwater hydrologist who joins the EPS faculty after several years working in private industry. Katie describes her research as “decision support modeling,” using models to inform water management practices based on real-world conditions. Groundwater research presents a number of challenges, particularly because subsurface conditions are often poorly constrained by existing data. This often requires either improved modeling approaches or additional data collection to guide decision-making. Her work helps ensure that water management decisions, especially in the American Southwest, are as informed and efficient as possible in terms of cost, labor, time, and resources.

In her free time, Katie enjoys biking, indoor rock climbing, and spending time with her wife and four-year-old daughter. She is excited to join the EPS community and looks forward not only to contributing to the ongoing optimization of water use, but also to training students for careers in this field.