PERSONAL
Date of Birth: 27 April 1970 (Flemington, NJ, USA)
Unmarried
EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Geological Sciences (with Quaternary Studies Certificate), Rutgers University, expected May 1997
M.S. in Geological Sciences, Rutgers University, October 1994
B.S. in Geology (with highest honors and college honors), Dickinson College, May 1992
POSITIONS HELD
1995 - present: Assistant Network Administrator, Dept. of Geological Sciences, Rutgers: Designed and implemented the Macintosh segment of an EtherNet WAN with Internet access.
1992 - present: Teaching Assistant, Rutgers University
1992 - 1993: Assistant Geologist, Roy F. WESTON Inc., Edison, NJ
1991: Head Computer Consultant, Dickinson College
1989 - 1992: Computer Consultant, Dickinson College
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Growth and development of normal fault systems
Structural controls on modern landforms, specifically bedrock streams and the surface expression of karst
Fracture partitioning and mechanical stratigraphy
Role of fractures and fluid flow in rift basins
The use of macro- and microstructures in the interpretation of regional tectonics
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
1995 - present: Assisted in the design and implementation of Rutgers University Teaching Excellence Center grant for the full integration of computers into the Field Geology curriculum.
1993 - present: Designed and supervised long-term project involving anthropogenic-induced changes to a fluvial system for the Field Geology course.
1992 - present: Teaching Assistant for Physical Geology, Field Geology, and Structural Geology, Rutgers University
1989 - 1992: Teaching Assistant for Physical Geology, Historical Geology, High German Levels 1-3, and Conversational German, Dickinson College
1989 - 1992: Tutor in German Grammar, Dickinson College
Assisted in the supervision of the following undergraduate projects:
1994-1995: Scott Young, "Micro-normal fault populations: Length-displacement scaling ratios"
1993: Zev Laden, "Karst Distribution and Density in Franklin and Dauphin Counties of Pennsylvania"
TEACHING INTERESTS
Development of a course designed to link a major in Geology with a Liberal Arts curriculum. Such a course could focus on 1. the philosophy of geology, e.g. the nature of geologic reasoning in terms of geology as a historical and interpretive science, 2. how advances in geology have affected contemporary thought and opinion, or 3. how the progress of geology as a science has been affected by historical events.
Design and implementation of long-term projects in which successive undergraduate classes collect data and establish a long-term record of geologic change. Students continually extend, expand, interpret and refine the data set, with the goal of periodic publication of the results.
The use of computer-based data collection systems in the field to permit rapid data collection without sacrificing accuracy, thus allowing more time for studying geology.
The use of computers in the lab for processing field data and preparing it for professional presentation.
Guiding undergraduates in research-oriented independent projects which allow them to learn how research is executed and presented.
GRANTS
1994: "Structural and Lithological Controls on Karstification in the Great Valley of Pennsylvania," Cave Research Foundation, $1000.
1994: "Channel Response to Sustained Elevated Discharge: East Branch Perkiomen Creek, Bedminster, Pennsylvania," Sigma Xi, $450.
1993: "Fluvial Geomorphology of the East Branch Perkiomen Creek, Bucks County, Pennsylvania: A Modern Process Study of the Effects of Artificially Elevated Discharge," Sigma Xi, $630
HONORS AND AWARDS
1992: William W. Vernon Prize for Academic Excellence in Geology, Dickinson College
1992: Departmental Honors upon graduation, Department of Geology, Dickinson College
1988: Elected to SLAVA Slavic Linguistics Honor Society
1988: Elected to Delta Epsilon Phi
1988: AATSEEL Award for Excellence in Russian Language
AFFILIATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Geological Society of America - Geomorphology and Structural Geology Divisions
American Geophysical Union - Tectonophysics Division
National Association of Geology Teachers
American Geologic Institute
Omicron Delta Kappa
Sigma Xi
SIGNIFICANT FIELD WORK
1994 - present: Analysis of micro-fault populations and fracture partitioning in the Dan River Basin of North Carolina and Basin and Range of Idaho
1993 - 1995: Fundy Basin of Nova Scotia: Detailed surveying of fault mosaics; Outcrop analysis and interpretation of Triassic buried interstratal karst; Measurement and interpretation of fissure- fills for kinematic significance.
1992 - present: Fluvial Geomorphology of East Branch Perkiomen Creek, Bedminster, PA: Surveying and hydraulic analysis
1991 - 1992: Karst Topography in the Cumberland Valley of PA: Field checking and mapping of karst features
1990 - 1991: In Situ Strain Indicators, Mt. Holly Springs, PA: Rf/f measurement and analysis of stretched-pebble conglomerates
SERVICE TO UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY
1994: Invited Speaker, Rutgers University Department of Geography: "Anthropogenic effects of intrabasin transfer: East Branch Perkiomen, Bucks County, Pennsylvania"
1994: Invited Speaker, Dickinson College: "Limerick Nuclear Generating Station and the East Branch Perkiomen Creek: Effects of Flow diversion"
1993 - present: President, Geological Graduate Student Association of Rutgers University
1993 - 1995: Coordinator of the Brown-Bag Talk Series within the Department of Geological Sciences at Rutgers.
1993: Invited Speaker, Dickinson College: "Kinematic significance of sediment-filled fissures"
1992 - present: Member of the North Jersey Resource and Development Council Limestone Geology Research Committee
1991: Student Assistant/Student Leader, 56th Annual Field Conference of Pennsylvania Geologists: "Geology of South Mountain, Pennsylvania"
PUBLICATIONS
ARTICLES
Ackermann, R.V., and Schlische, R.W., and Olsen, P.E., 1995, Synsedimentary collapse of portions of the lower Blomidon Formation, Fundy rift basin, Nova Scotia: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, in press.
Schlische, R.W., and Ackermann, R.V., 1995, Kinematic significance of sediment-filled fissures in the Fundy Basin, Canada: Journal of Structural Geology, v. 17, p. 987-996.
Potter, N. Jr., Ackermann, R.V., and others, 1992, Stream Meanders in Carlisle, Pennsylvania: Studies in Geology, Dickinson College, v. 2, 31 p.
Potter, N., Hanson, H., Ackermann, R.V., Dokter, G.N., Lev, S., Pezzoli, L., and Troy, T., 1991, Analysis of in-situ strain indicators in the Weverton conglomerate at Hammond's Rocks: Field Guide, 56th Annual Field Conference of Pennsylvania Geologists, p. 193-214.
ABSTRACTS
Ackermann, R.V., Johnson, L., Patino, L., 1996, Fracture partitioning in the Cow Branch Formation, Danville rift basin: Influence of mechanical stratigraphy on Mohr-Coulomb failure: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, in review.
Schlische, R.W., and Ackermann, R.V., 1996, Integrating field-based computer systems into the undergraduate geology curriculum: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, in review.
Ackermann, R.V., Schlische, R.W., and Young, S.S., 1995, Anti-clustering of microfaults around larger normal faults: Differential strain accommodation in the Danville basin: Eos-American Geophysical Union Transactions, v. 76, in press.
Schlische, R.W., Young, S.S., and Ackermann, R.V., 1995, Geometry and scaling relations of a population of rift-related normal faults: Eos-American Geophysical Union Transactions, v. 76, in press.
Ackermann, R.V., Schlische, R.W., and Olsen, P.E., 1995, Evaporite dissolution and associated collapse features of the Fundy basin: Paleoenvironmental implications: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 27, No.1, p. 25.
Schlische, R.W., and Ackermann, R.V., 1995, Basin inversion around the margins of the North Atlantic: Implications for the age of initiation of sea-floor spreading: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 27, No.1, p. 80.
Young, S. S., Schlische, R.W., and Ackermann, R.V., 1995, Micro-normal fault populations in Mesozoic rift basins: Length displacement scaling relations:Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 27, No.1, p. 94.
Ackermann, R.V., Ashley, G.M., and Schlische, R.W., 1994, Response of a bedrock-influenced river to sustained elevated discharge: Anthropogenic induced change: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 26, No. 7, p. 234.
Ackermann, R.V., and Ashley, G.M., 1994, Channel response to sustained elevated discharge: East Branch Perkiomen Creek, Bedminster, Pennsylvania: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 26, No. 3, p. 1.
Ackermann, R.V., Schlische, R.W., and Olsen, P.E., 1993, Triassic buried interstratal karst, Fundy Basin, Nova Scotia, Canada: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 25, No. 6, p. 69.
Ackermann, R.V., 1993, An examination of the factors governing the development of karst topography in the Cumberland Valley of Pennsylvania: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 25, No. 2, p. 1.
MANUSCRIPTS IN PREPARATION
Ackermann, R.V., Ashley, G.M., and Schlische, R.W, Flow diversion to a bedrock-influenced river: Anthropogenic induced change, for Geology.
Ackermann, R.V., and Schlische, R.W., Differential strain accommodation and the distribution of micro-normal faults around larger normal faults, for Science.
Schlische, R.W., Young, S.S., Ackermann, R.V., and Gupta, A., Geometry and scaling relations of a population of very small rift-related normal faults, for Geology.
THESES
M.S. Thesis, Rutgers University: "Effects of Sustained Elevated Discharges from Intrabasin Flow Diversion on the Fluvial Geomorphology of East Branch Perkiomen Creek, Bedminster, Pennsylvania", 202 p.
Senior Honors Thesis, Dickinson College: "An Examination of the Factors Governing the Development of Karst Topography in the Cumberland Valley of Pennsylvania", 110 p.
PROPOSED THESIS
Ph.D. Thesis, Rutgers University: "Geologic, Geomorphic, and Hydrogeologic Aspects of Fracture Networks."