Geology Faculty

Eric Baer

I teach geology and occasionally environmental science at Highline and am Chair of the Pure and Applied Science Division. I am also one of the main advisors for geoscience, but also enjoy advising undecided students. My research interests include quantitative skills, faculty professional development, and geoscience education. I was the PI on the SAGE 2YC project to support geoscience and STEM education in two-year colleges and the The Math You Need When You Need It, a project to develop and test online quantitative support modules for introductory geoscience students. I enjoy cooking, traveling, and listening to live music. 

Bataa Jigjidsuren

Bataa (he/him) is a geoscience educator and amateur photographer. He earned his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Environmental Geology from the Mongolian University of Science and Technology, and a PhD from University of Washington. He uses field mapping, remote sensing, cosmogenic nuclide and other radiometric dating techniques to understand the formation of glacial and periglacial landforms and to reconstruct paleoclimate conditions in cold environments. His research interest led him to remote mountains in Central Asia and Tibet, and the cold deserts of Gobi and Atacama. At Highline, Bataa teaches geology, geomorphology, planetary geology and environmental science courses

Stephaney Puchalski

I am a paleontologist and currently the lead lab technician in the Pure & Applied Sciences Division at Highline. Since Fall 2010, I taught a variety of classes geologic hazards, introduction to paleontology, dinosaurs, and field classes.  I have a Ph.D. from Indiana University in Geobiology, a Bachelors in Geology and Biology from Pacific Lutheran University, an Associate of Science degree from Grays Harbor College, and an Associate of Arts degree from Solano Community College. My graduate research was understanding how things become, or do not become, fossils, a very broad field of study that included application of chemistry, physics and engineering principles.The latter is useful for managing the ThunderLab, Highline’s makerspace where I can teach users about 3D printing, fabrication & design, and laser cutting/engraving. My hobbies include legal fossil hunting, carving soapstone sculptures, and other geology-centric arts such as 3D printing a life-size baby T-rex skeleton. 

Michelle Barboza-Ramirez 

MB (they/them) is a queer latinx naturalist and geoscience professor from Los Angeles. They hold a Bachelor of Science in Geology, with a minor in Geography, from CSU Fullerton and a Master of Science in Geology, with a certificate in Gender Studies, from the University of Florida. Their paleontological research has focused on extinct land dwelling, plant eating Miocene animals, while their current projects address diversity in STEM and outdoor equity.

MB's past projects include working in the education departments of the National Park Service and Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, as well as the paleontology departments of the Florida Museum of Natural History and John D. Cooper Center in Orange County, CA.

Cassie Geraghty

Cassie Geraghty (she/her) is a queer earth science educator who earned her B.A. in Geology from Indiana University and her M.S. in Geology from Washington State University. Most recently, she earned her Master's in Teaching from Washington State University, along with a Washington state teaching certificate and an endorsement in Earth and Space Science at the secondary education level. Cassie is passionate about making earth science education accessible and enjoyable for all learners. When she is not teaching, Cassie is working with Highline College student clubs and organizations, at the Center for Leadership and Service. In her free time, Cassie enjoys hiking, watching movies, listening to music, reading, playing video games, and going on adventures with friends and family.

Jacob Selander

I am a geologist, science educator, photographer, and kayaker. I’ve always been in love with processes that shape the Earth’s surface, and happy to have found a niche that allows me to share this passion through geoscience education, images, and (literal) immersion in what I study.