Graduate Students in Earth and Planetary Sciences

Alex Nikulin Ph.D. Student Rutgers University Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Doolittle Labs 610 Taylor Road Piscataway, NJ 08854-8066 U.S.A. tel: 1-732-445-2124 e-mail: anikulin@eden.rutgers.edu link to course webpage: link to personal webpage:

Research Interests:

• Siesmic investigation of subduction zone structure, primarily the relationship between subducting slab dehydration and arc volcanism

Education / Degrees:

• 2006 Bachelor of Science from Binghamton University, the State University of New York.
• 2006 Field Course in Geology completed through Southern Utah University.
• 2009 Defended PhD thesis proposal entitled at Rutgers University.
• 2009-Present. working on PhD dissertation.

Courses / Instruction:

• Planet Earth
• Introduction to Geophysics
• Earthquakes and Volcanoes

Advisor and Dissertation Committee:

• Dr. Vadim Levin (advisor)
• Dr. Claude T. Herzberg (Rutgers
• Dr. Michael J. Carr (Rutgers)
• Dr Maggie Benoit (TCNJ)

Honors and Awards:

• Ralph Digman Prize in Geology, Binghamton University., 2006.
• Presidential Fellowship, Rutgers University, 2007.
• Partnership in Research and Education Fellowship, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 2007, 2008.
• Pre-Dissertaion Award, Rutgers University, 2008.
• IRIS Conference Travel Award, 2008, 2009.

Publications:

• Nikulin, A., V. Levin, and Park J., 2009 Receiver function study of the Cascadia megathrust: Evidence for localized serpentinization, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 10, Q07004, doi:10.1029/2009GC002376.

Meetings / Abstracts:

• Nikulin A., V. Levin, Park J., Constraining serpentine presence beneath the Cascades. EarthScope National Meeting, 2007, Monterey, CA, USA.
• Nikulin A., V. Levin, Park J., Widespread presence of serpentinite within the Cascadia megathrust suggested by teleseismic receiver function analysis. 2007, Eos Trans. AGU,
  88(52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract T53A-1125
• Nikulin A., A. Shuler, V. Levin and West M., A high velocity layer at depth beneath Bezymyannii Volcano, a possible source of seismicity?, 2008 Eos Trans. AGU, 89 (53), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract S34A-01
• Nikulin A., A. Schuler, V. Levin., West M.,  A high velocity layer at depth beneath Bezymyannii Volcano, a possible source of seismicity?, IRIS National Meeting, Portland, USA.
• Nikulin A., B. Marshall, Levin V.,  Receiver function survey of Earthscope sites in the Pacific North West; preliminary results., EarthScope National Meeting, Boise, ID, USA.
• Bitting, K.S., A. Nikulin, R.J. Earley, Swisher C., Ground-penetrating radar survey use for documentation of a historic cemetery in Sand Brook Township, NJ, 2007, Eos Trans. AGU,
  88(52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract NS31B-0389
• Levin V.,  A. Nikulin, Park J.,  Looking for serpentine, finding some, within Cascadia megathrust., 2008 Eos Trans. AGU, 89 (53), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract T12A-08
• West M, Senyukov S, Chebrov V, Thelen W, Nikulin A, Buurman H (2007) Eruption seismicity of Bezymianny Volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. EOS Trans AGU 88(52), Fall Meeting Suppl Abstract S43A-1034