Expert Source: Karen H. Fryer, Ph.D.

Karen Fryer is a structural geologist whose research focuses on field study of the interrelationships between crustal deformation and metamorphism. She has undertaken field research in northern Scotland, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, western Arizona, and the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She teaches courses in physical and environmental geology, structural geology, geological techniques (field, lab, technical writing), petrography, and tectonics. She also has participated in workshops to enhance K-12 science instruction, and serves as a geoscience councilor in the Council on Undergraduate Research.

Education:

• B.A., Wellesley College
• M.S., University of Illinois
• Ph.D., University of Illinois

Areas of Expertise:

• Deformation of Earth’s crust
• Tectonics
• Earthquakes
• Environmental geology
• Microscopy
• Undergraduate research for teaching/learning

Selected Publications:

• Bedrock Geologic Map of the Asheville 7.5 Minute Quadrangle, North Carolina (2007) North Carolina Geological Survey (with J.W. Miller Jr., UNCA)
• Geology of the Ashe Metamorphic Suite in the Beaucatcher Mountain Road Cut, Asheville, North Carolina (1996) Southeastern Geology v. 36, no. 3 (with J.W. Miller Jr., UNCA)
• Curricular Preparation for Research: A field-Based Research Model for a Petrography Course (1995) Council on Undergraduate Research Quarterly, v. 16, no.1.
• Regional Geological Context for a Course in Petrography (1991) Journal of Geoscience Education, v. 39, no. 3.