College of Natural Sciences Alumni Spotlight: Rhiannon Garrard
Posted: April 24, 2025 | Author: Southern Utah University | Read Time: 3 minutes
Coming to SUU by way of Rio Salado College, Rhiannon Garrard is a 2015 graduate of the geology program here at Southern Utah University. Rhiannon graduated at a time when the geology program was still a part of the Physical Science Department and there were only three geology faculty members. In fact, when queried about the faculty member that had the greatest impact on her during her time at SUU, Rhiannon responded that she “...took multiple classes from each. It’s hard to say which one had the biggest impact because it felt like being a part of a team.” That sentiment has long been a part of the experience in the geoscience programs at SUU. And, even as the program has grown over the last few years, that collaborative, supportive atmosphere remains a hallmark of the program.
When Rhiannon was asked about a notable activity or experience she had at SUU that made a big impact on her and her career trajectory she commented at length about what a great place southern Utah is to study geology. In fact, she described Southern Utah as the BEST place to study geology. Then, like now, the geology programs are full of opportunities to spend a lot of time in the field. Rhiannon noted that the environment was her textbook and she is grateful to have extensive hands-on knowledge as a result of her SUU education.
Following graduation, Rhiannon matriculated into the University of Alabama to study groundwater. Her thesis Scale effect of contaminant transport in saturated porous media identified by the time fractional advection-dispersion equationexamined the way that pollutants are carried by water - with implications extending well beyond the theoretical framework of her thesis. This work has resulted in multiple peer-reviewed publications, extending a publication record that began as an undergraduate here at SUU, where she published on the Ruby’s Inn Thrust Fault in Hillsdale Canyon - an area close by her current professional home in Bryce Canyon National Park.
After completing her master’s degree, Rhiannon worked for a time for the Cahaba Environmental Center where she conducted public educational programs for learners of all ages. She notes that this experience provided her with a lot of hands-on experience that the University didn’t. The next step in her journey took her to Stony Brook University in New York where she spent a few years working with giant x-rays, known as synchrotrons at Brookhaven, Argonne, and Oak Ridge National labs. She left that position during COVID and returned to Utah where she took another public education position with the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Finally, the physical science position opened up at Bryce Canyon and she began working for the National Park. While her background is a bit eclectic, the diverse array of experiences is a perfect fit for her current work at Bryce Canyon.
In her current position, as the park’s physical scientist, Rhiannon’s job is to research and provide subject matter expertise for the parts of the park that are not alive: the rocks, the water, fossils, air, sound, and night sky. More than enough to keep one scientist busy! Thanks, Rhiannon for representing your alma mater so well.
Tags: College of Natural Sciences Alumni
