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Aims geology instructor DeAnna Laurel headshot

DeAnna Laurel

Instructor, Geology and Environmental Science

Educational Background

2019 – PhD, Earth Sciences, Colorado State University
2014 – MS, Geosciences, Colorado State University
2008 – BA, University of Denver

Professional Background

DeAnna has been interested in earth sciences and geology her entire life. She majored in environmental science for her undergraduate degree. After college, she worked at the United States Geological Survey for four years, gaining experience doing field and laboratory research on quaternary geology and climate projects. 

DeAnna returned to school at Colorado State University to complete her master's and PhD in geology and earth sciences. Her research focused on geomorphic controls on small stream temperatures in Colorado for the purposes of identifying suitable habitat for Colorado native fish, and later, on fluxes of water, sediment, and organic carbon in active and abandoned beaver meadows across the Front Range. DeAnna began teaching with Aims in 2017, and joined the full-time science faculty in 2021. Teaching and sharing knowledge of geology is her passion.

Personal Interests

DeAnna maintains an interest in current and ongoing research in both geology and environmental science, including climate change research. Outside the academic realm, she enjoys hiking, spending time in her extensive vegetable garden, baking delicious treats and playing with her two children.