ELLEN KNAPPE
Department of Geosciences, University of Montana
ellen.knappe@umontana.edu
805.708.7472
EDUCATION
2014-Present
University of Montana
PhD Student (GPA: 3.82)
2010-2014
University of California, Berkeley
B.A. (Honors) in Geophysics (GPA: 3.49)
EXPERIENCE
Research Assistant: University of Montana, Advisor: Rebecca Bendick, 2014 – Present
 Using geodesy to understand continental rifting in East Africa, specifically in Ethiopia and the
Turkana Basin of Kenya.
Teaching Assistant: University of Montana, 2014 – Present
 Teaching labs for Physical Geology. Responsibilities include creating the lecture, grading,
developing midterms and finals, and supervising students through the lab activities.
Researcher: Geomorphology in Bahia de Caraquez, Ecuador, UC Berkeley, 2014
 Co-developed a research project to better understand landslide mechanics in old growth,
reforested, and deforested area. Specially investigating the effects of root cohesion from
various native tree species.
Teaching Assistant: Field Geology and Digital Mapping, UC Berkeley, 2013-2014
 Teaching students classical field methods as well as how to use the digital system GeoMapper,
created by George Brimhall. In addition to typical teaching assistant responsibilities, helped
redevelop curriculum, organized the bi-weekly field trips, and supervised students in and out
of the field.
Lab Manager: Geological Fluid Mechanics Lab, UC Berkeley, 2013-2014
 Responsibilities include inventory management, complete re-organization of lab supplies, and
maintenance of safety protocols at Dr. Michael Manga’s Geological Fluid Mechanics Lab.
Research Assistant: Geological Fluid Mechanics Lab, UC Berkeley, 2012-2014
 Measuring rheologic parameters of hemipelagic marine sediment using a rheometer to
determine yield stress, consistency, and viscosity as a function of particle concentration to
better understand the mechanics of sediment-laden mass flows. Supervised by Dr. Michael
Manga.
 Extending Manga et al. (2001) work on simulating volcanic bomb sags on Mars with the goal
of applying scaling laws, which relate impact velocity to crater depth. Supervised by Dr.
Michael Manga.
Field Technician: School for Field Studies, Boston University, 2012
 Participated in a four-week field course in Northern Tanzania collecting and analyzing field
data on land use, wildlife and wildlife management practices.
Research Assistant: Geophysical Surveys at the Black Diamond Mines, 2012
 Performed a series of geophysical surveys at the Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in
Antioch, CA, to investigate a recent mine collapse. The surveys included gravity, seismic
reflection/refraction, and magnetic surveys.
AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
 2014 Graduated with Honors from UC Berkeley
 2013 Dean’s Honors from UC Berkeley
 2012 & 2013 Charles H. Ramsden Scholarship
PUBLICATIONS
Knappe, E., Manga, M., LeFriant, A. in preparation, Rheology of hemipelagic sediment and
dropstones in marine sediment.
PRESENTATIONS
Anttila, E., Wray, M., Knappe, E., Ogasawara, T., Tholt, A., Cliffe, B., Oshun, J., 2014 “Species
type controls root strength and influences slope stability in coastal Ecuador.” AGU 2014 Fall
Meeting. Abstract EP31C-3582.
Knappe, E. “Continental rifting dynamics in Turkana Basin, Kenya.” University of Montana
Geosciences Colloquium, Dec. 1, 2014.
Knappe, E., Manga, M., “Rheology of hemipelagic marine sediment.” AGU 2013 Fall Meeting
(presentation). Abstract NH13D-06.
Birch, S., Manga, M., Delbridge, B., Patel, A., Knappe, E., Dufek, J., 2013 “Scaling laws for impacts
into wet substrates: Applied to the bomb sag at Home Plate, Mars.” AGU 2013 Fall Meeting.
Abstract P41F-1989.
Manga, M., Patel, A., Delbridge, B., Knappe, E., Birch, S., Dufek, J., 2013 “Constraints on the
surface conditions and atmospheric density inferred from the bomb sag at Home Plate, Mars.”
Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Abstract 2013LPI 44.1109M.
OUTREACH
Expanding your Horizons, Missoula Girls STEM Conference: Steering committee and speaker,
2014-Present
 Coordinating and planning a conference to increase middle school girls' interest in science.
Responsibilities include recruiting and organizing presenters, developing and executing
scientific activities, and giving an introduction speech, in addition to conference planning
activities.
Bay Area Scientist in School, Community Resources for Science: Volunteer, 2013-2014
 Volunteered in bay area schools to encourage an interest in science by teaching a hands-on
experiment about tectonics to elementary and middle school students.
Geological Association at Berkeley: President, 2013-2014
 Organizing and leading weekly meetings of earth science meetings to strengthen
undergraduate relationships and interest in science. These meetings included Earth sciences
news and scientific presentations by students. The association also led geologic field trips,
hikes, social activities, department recruiting events and new student welcome events. I
participated as a board member and then Vice president between 2011-2013 before
becoming president.