Lensyl D. Urbano, PhD. curriculum vitae
From GeoClasses
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Education
- PhD: Geology and Geophysics (Minor: Quaternary Paleoecology), University of Minnesota (2001)
- BSc: Geology, York College, City University of New York (1994)
Experience
- 2002-present: Assistant Professor, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Memphis.
- 2001-2002: Postdoctoral Fellow, Columbia Earth Institute, Columbia University.
- 1995-2001: Graduate Research Assistant, University of Minnesota.
Honors/Awards
- Herb E. Wright "Footsteps" Award, University of Minnesota, (2001)
- Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship, University of Minnesota, (2000)
- Geology Award, York College, CUNY, (1994)
Publications
Peer-reviewed Articles
Neilans†, D., and Urbano, L., Assessing meter-scale heterogeneity of groundwater discharge using streambed thermal mapping, Journal of Hydrology, (in revision) (manuscript).
§Urbano, L. and Urbano, L.C., Using the MovieClassroom Website for Student Movie Production and Publication, Journal of Geoscience Education, (in press) (manuscript).
Urbano, L., Waldron, B., Larsen, D. and Shook, H., 2006. Groundwater–surfacewater interactions at the transition of an aquifer from unconfined to confined], Journal of Hydrology, v. 321, n. 1-4, p. 200-212. (preprint)
§Urbano, L., and Houghton, J., 2006. An Interactive Computer Model for Coriolis Demonstrations, Journal of Geoscience Education, v. 54, no. 1, p. 54-60. (preprint).
Urbano, L., Person, M., Kelts, K. and Hanor, J., 2004. Transient groundwater impacts on the development of paleoclimatic lake records in semi-arid environments, Geofluids, v. 4, n. 3, pg. 187-196. (Article link])
Person, M., Dugan, B., Swenson, J., Urbano, L., Stott, C., Taylor, J., and Willett, M., 2003. Pleistocene hydrogeology of the Atlantic continental shelf, New England, Geological Society of America Bulletin, 115, no. 11, pg. 1324-1343.
- † Advisee.
- § Geoscience education related
Peer-reviewed conference proceedings
Urbano, L., and Thibault, C., 2005. Pattern of saltwater contamination resulting from tsunami inundation of small islands, Proceedings of the 17th Caribbean Geological Conference 2005, San Juan PR. (Paper)
Urbano, L., Person, M., and Hanor, J., 2000. Groundwater-lake interactions in semi-arid environments, Proceedings of Geofluids III; third international conference on Fluid evolution, migration and interaction in sedimentary basins and orogenic belts, Journal of Geochemical Exploration, v. 69-70, pg. 423-427.
Software
§Urbano, L.D., et al., 2007. The MovieClassroom project, http://lurbano-5.memphis.edu/MovieClassroom/ (accessed July 15th 2007).
- The MovieClassroom is an online movie editor for the production of Earth Science themed movies. We are using this tool to develop educational modules that harness the power of visualizations and the creative process of movie production. We are also exploring cognitive and affective parameters that determine the utility of a student-produced movie as educational media for peers. The ultimate goal of this project is to create an online environment for the creation and sharing of geoscience themed educational video. The website documents educational applications of the software at http://lurbano-5.memphis.edu/MovieClassroom/index.php/Applications_and_Analysis (accessed July 2007).
§Urbano, L.D., et al., 2007. Earth Science Models for Research and Education, http://lurbano-5.memphis.edu/GeoMod/ (accessed July 15th 2007).
- This project explores the use of interactive, 3d models, created and adapted by myself and students in my upper level classes, to create and assess educational modules for undergraduate Earth Science classes. It also investigates the use of the VPython programming language for the class, Introduction to Modeling in the Earth Sciences. An example educational module employing these models can be found at http://lurbano-5.memphis.edu/Classes/index.php/The_scientific_method_-_The_formation_of_the_Earth (accessed July 2007).
Conference Presentations
Urbano, L.D., 2008. Integrating visual and verbal knowledge using a shared visualization database and collaborative movie production website, Cutting Edge Workshop on Teaching with New Geoscience Tools: Visualizations, Models, and Online Data, Amherst, MA. http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/tools08/
§Urbano, L.D., and Bateman, J.M., 2007. Affective response to peer-produced movies, GSA Fall 2007. (Abstract)
§Urbano, L.D., and Urbano, D.L.C., 2007. Online video creation for the Geosciences using the MovieClassroom 2.0, GSA Fall 2007. (Abstract).
Urbano, L.D., and Person, M., 2006. Identifying the causes of shallow groundwater salinization in SE Australia using paleo-climatically driven hydrogeololgic modeling of groundwater age. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 38, No. 7, p. 106
Neilans†, D. and Urbano L.D., 2006. Geomorphic effect of groundwater flux on the channelized Loosahatchie River, Shelby County, Tennessee. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 38, No. 7, p. 233.
§Urbano, L.D., and Urbano, L.C., 2006. Enabling student and instructor use of scientific visualizations with an online video editor and database. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 38, No. 7, p. 325, Paper No. 131-5. (Abstract)
Urbano, L., 2005. Pattern of saltwater contamination resulting from tsunami inundation of small islands, Abstract for the 17th Caribbean Geological Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico, July 17-21. (Abstract)
Cole, S. and Urbano, L., 2005. Modeling Toolstone Procurement Using Random Walk Simulation, 70th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, Salt Lake City. (Poster)
§Urbano, L.D., and Urbano, L.C., 2005. The MovieClassroom: An Internet Based Application for Students and Instructors to Create Captioned Animations. Eos Trans. AGU, 86(52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract ED13E-1170.
§Urbano, L., and Houghton, J., 2005. A Coriolis Demonstration Using a 3-D Interactive Computer Model of a Physical Demonstration, Eos Trans. AGU, 86(52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract ED13C-1164.
Urbano, L., 2004. Systematic Groundwater/Stream Interactions Resulting From Regional Hydrogeologic Change, Eos Trans. AGU, 85(47), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract H12B-07.
Urbano, L.D. and Waldron B., 2004. Signature of regional groundwater discharge to surface water at the unconfined/confined aquifer transition: Example from the Loosahatchie River in West Tennessee, Fourteenth Tennessee Water Resources Symposium.
Urbano, L.D., Lall, U., 2002. Addressing Uncertainty in Weather and Climate Forecasts. Pacific Regional Consultation on Water in Small Island Countries, Sigatoka, Fiji Islands, 3rd August 2002.
Urbano, L.D., Lall, U., 2002. Climate Forecasting at the International Research Institute for Climate Prediction . Pacific Regional Consultation on Water in Small Island Countries, Sigatoka, Fiji Islands, 3rd August 2002.
Person, M., Urbano, L., and Taylor, J., 2001. The Pleistocene hydrology of Nantucket Island, Massachusetts inferred from salinity data within coastal plain aquifers and confining units, Geological Society of America, 2001 annual meeting Abstracts with Programs, v. 33, no. 6 (2001): 106.
Invited Lectures
Urbano, L.D. 2006. Groundwater and Climate, Eastern Tennessee State University.
Urbano, L.D. 2003. Effect of global warming on saltwater intrusion beneath small islands. Trinity College, Hartford, CT.
Urbano, L.D. 2003. Effect of global warming on saltwater intrusion beneath small islands. Department of Physics, University of Memphis
Support
Internal
| 2007: Effect of climate on the pre-historic populations of middle-Tennessee (PI 100%) |
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| §2006. Using movie production in Earth Science Education (PI 100%) |
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External (recent)
| §2008: In review Role of tidal forcing on subsurface flow and microbial distribution in hydrothermal systems and its effects on porosity, permeability, and micro-habitats. (PI-50%) |
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| §2008: In review GARNet: Geoscience Affective Research Network. (co-PI) |
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| §2007: Engaging non-majors with online geoscience movie production and sharing. (PI: 75%) |
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| 2007:: Hydrogeological impacts of hurricanes and other tropical storms on shallow coastal ground water resources. (PI 50%) |
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Teaching Experience
My teaching philosophy emphasizes the fact that different students learn in different ways so I focus on creating the tools and the environment (online and in person) for them to do so. I'm also a strong believer in collaborative and transparent work. As a result, all of my classes are now being developed actively on this site.
- Weather and Climate - http://lurbano-5.memphis.edu/Classes/index.php/Weather_and_Climate_Spring_2007_Day_Class
- ESCI 1010 is the study of atmospheric processes and the geographic distribution of radiation, moisture, pressure, and circulation interacting to create weather systems and storms; ocean influences, sun-earth relationships, global climate patterns; human interaction with the atmosphere.
- The Earth - http://lurbano-5.memphis.edu/Classes/index.php/The_Earth
- Understanding the Earth as a complex system.
- The Earth Lab - http://lurbano-5.memphis.edu/Classes/index.php/The_Earth_Lab
- Climate and the Fate of Civilizations - http://lurbano-5.memphis.edu/Classes/index.php/Climate_Civilizations
- ESCI 4375: Co-taught with Dr. David Dye, this class explores how climatic change, such as the Holocene warming and the Little Ice Age have affected the course of civilization.
- Evolving Rivers and Ancient Cultures - http://lurbano-5.memphis.edu/Classes/index.php/Rivers_Culture
- ESCI 4376: Co-taught with Dr. David Dye, this class explores the interaction of humans and the riverine environment in and around the Tennessee River valley.
- Physical Hydrogeology
- ESCI 6/4211 is an introduction to the physics of groundwater flow.
- Physical Climatology
- ESCI 6/4215: Introduces the physics that describe general atmospheric circulation; Components of earth's energy balance, emphasis on solar radiation, heat transfer, and evapotranspiration.
- Climatology
- ESCI 6/4214: Climatic elements and methods of data analysis; applications of climatology in agriculture, health, economics, and architecture.
- Introduction to Modeling in the Earth Sciences
- ESCI 7010 is a general introduction to modeling techniques used in the Geology and Geography. Given the diverse interests of Earth Science students it will introduce a wide range of models applicable to physical processes, human and stochastic behavior.
Classes taught
| Academic Year | Course # | Course Name | Credit | Percent | Enrollment | Lab | New Prep | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2002 | Geol 4/6211 | Physical Hydrogeology | 3 | 100 | 7 | I | Y | |
| Spring 2003 | Geog 4/6211 | Physical Climatology | 3 | 100 | 6 | Y | ||
| Spring 2003 | Geog 1020 | Landforms | 3 | 100 | 160 | Y | ||
| Fall 2003 | Geog 1010 | Weather and Climate | 3 | 100 | 160 | Y | ||
| Fall 2003 | Geog 1020 | Landforms | 3 | 100 | 160 | N | ||
| Spring 2004 | Geol 7010 | Introduction to Modeling in the Earth Sciences | 3 | 100 | 4 | Y | ||
| Fall 2004 | Geog 1010 | Weather and Climate | 3 | 100 | 160 | N | ||
| Fall 2004 | Geol 6/4211 | Physical Hydrogeology | 4 | 100 | 9 | I | N | |
| Fall 2004 | ESCI 7996-33 | Independent study | 3 | 100 | 1 | Y | ||
| Spring 2005 | Geog 1010 | Weather and Climate | 3 | 100 | 150 | N | ||
| Spring 2005 | Geog 6/4211 | Climatology | 3 | 100 | 13 | Y | ||
| Spring 2005 | ESCI 7621 | Independent Study | 3 | 100 | 3 | Y | ||
| Fall 2005 | Geog 1010 | Weather and Climate | 3 | 100 | 150 | N | ||
| Fall 2005 | Geol 7315 | Introduction to Modeling in the Earth Sciences | 3 | 100 | 6 | Y | ||
| Spring 2006 | Geog 1010 | Weather and Climate | 3 | 100 | 150 | N | ||
| Spring 2006 | Geog 1010-22 | The Earth | 4 | 100 | 25 | I | Y | |
| Spring 2006 | Geog 7621 | Independent study | 3 | 100 | 4 | Y | ||
| Spring 2007 | ESCI 4375/6375 | Climate and the Fate of Civilizations | 3 | 50 | 8 | Y | ||
| Spring 2007 | ESCI 1010 | Weather and Climate | 3 | 100 | 175 | N | ||
| Summer 2007 | ESCI 1020 | Landforms | 3 | 100 | 30 | N | ||
| Fall 2007 | ESCI 4/6211 | Physical Hydrogeology | 3 | 100 | 5 | N | ||
| Fall 2007 | ACAD 1000 | Freshman Seminar (Environmental Learning Community) | 1 | 100 | 15 | N |
Service
Community
- 2006: NSF panel reviewer for the Geoscience Education program.
- 2005-present: Reviewer for the journals
- Journal of Geoscience Education
- Advances in Water Resources
- Journal of Geophysics and Hydrology
- Journal of Hydrology
- Environmental Research Letters
- 2005-present: Reviewer of introductory Physical Geography and Geology texts.
Departmental
- 2004-present: Adviser for students intending to major in the Earth Sciences with a concentration in Geography.
- I am currently advising approximately 15 students who come from all academic levels.
- 2006-2007: Redesign and consolidation of introductory undergraduate classes in Physical Geology and Physical Geography.
- 2002-2004: Chair of Hydrology curriculum committee.
- 2003-2006: Undergraduate curriculum committee.
College
- 2005-present: Undergraduate grade appeal committee.
- 2006-2007: Faculty host at U. Memphis Great Conversations dinner.
Professional development
- 2005: Early Career Geoscience Faculty, On the Cutting Edge NAGT workshop.
- 2007: The Affective Domain in Teaching Geosciences, On the Cutting Edge NAGT workshop.
- 2007: Designing Effective and Innovative Courses, On the Cutting Edge NAGT workshop.
- 2008: Teaching with New Geoscience Tools: Visualizations, Models, and Online Data
Outreach
- Hydrogeologic capacity of the Sunflower River Low Flow Augmentation Project
- This project investigates the water-bearing potential of the well field supplying the Sunflower River Low Flow Augmentation Project. Apart from the issues of potential multiple, conjunctive uses of the water supplied by the well field, this project is particularly related to my work in groundwater/surfacewater interactions since the ultimate source of water into the well field is the Mississippi River through subsurface connection. As a result, this work will ultimately lead to peer-review journal publication.
- The current status of this work can be assessed on Mr. Joshua Epting's thesis website: http://lurbano-5.memphis.edu/GeoMod/index.php/Josh_Epting_Thesis_Project
- Geology at Ridgeway High School
- George Swihart and I are working with Ms. Donna Thomas a teacher at Ridgeway High School to improve Memphis' only high school geography program and incorporate more active learning exercises. This work has the potential for generating undergraduates interested in geology and involving more under-represented groups in the sciences.
Further information
More details regarding ongoing research projects in hydrogeology, geoarcheology, and hydrogeology can be found at the website;
The online version of this CV can be found at:
