I’m currently a postdoc in Computational Geosciences where I study how engineered and natural materials deform. Applications for my projects include borehole stability for safe underground waste storage and also manufactured materials.

I earned an undergraduate degree in Geology from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. As an undergraduate, I interned at Los Alamos, and enjoyed my experience so much, that continuing research at a national lab became a major goal of mine. I then earned a Masters in Geochemistry form Colorado School of Mines where I studied feldspar dissolution rates. This was a great opportunity to learn and use experimental tools, like focused ion beams and transmission electron microscopes, and to get exposed to material science research. Then I went on to study Geophysics for my PhD at Stanford University, where my thesis focused on how extreme changes in temperature affect the transport and acoustic properties of rocks.

My research has involved exciting field work studying mud volcanoes in Utah, conducting microanalysis of caprock for carbon sequestration, and experimentally enhancing permeability in geothermal reservoir rocks.

After spending many years doing experiments, I’m excited to explore something different – computational work to help illuminate and better understand the processes behind experimental data.

PhD Geophysics, Stanford University, 2024

MSc Geophysics, Stanford University, 2023

MSc Geochemistry, Colorado School of Mines, 2019

BSc Geology, Kutztown University, 2017

Selected Peer Reviewed Journal Articles

”*” indicates lead principle investigator (PI).

1. Malenda, M., Vanorio, T. V.*, in review, Optimizing and Monitoring Thermal Shocking Stimulation of Tight Rocks

2. Navarre-Sitchler A.*, Heil, E., Malenda, M., Wood, R., Squier J., Gorman, B.P., in prep, Effects of fluid flow and solute transport on anorthite dissolution rates in heterogeneous pore networks

3. Malenda, M., Vanorio, T. V.*, 2023, Using Acoustic Velocities and Microimaging to Probe Microstructural Changes caused by Thermal Shocking of Tight Rocks: Frontiers in Earth Science. DOI:10.3389/feart.2022.1054469

4. Malenda, M., Vanorio, T. V.*, Mighani, S., Ding, J., Chung, Jaehong., 2021, Rock Physics and Experimentation in Decarbonizing the Future: The Leading Edge Special Edition, Role of geophysics in a net-zero-carbon world, v. 40, (4), DOI:10.1190/tle40040245.1

5. Jung H., Malenda, M., Worts, N., Squier J., Gorman, B.P., Navarre-Sitchler, A.*, 2020, The Fabrication of Plagioclase Feldspar Microdevices: An Experimental Tool for Pore-Scale Mineral Dissolution Studies: Water Resources Research, v. 56, (8), DOI: 10.1029/2020WR027737

6. Malenda, M., Betts, T., Simpson, W., Wizevich, M., Simpson, E.*, 2020, Methane emissions from muds during low water-level stages of Lake Powell, southern Utah, USA: Geology of the Intermountain West, v. 7, pp 121-136, DOI: 10.31711/giw.v7.pp121-136

7. Miller K., Simpson E. L.*, Sherrod L., Wizevich, M.C., Malenda M. G., Morgano K., Richardson A., Livingston K., Bogner E., 2018, Gas bubble cavities in deltaic muds, Lake Powell delta, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Hite, Utah: Marine and Petroleum Geology.v. 92, p. 904-912. DOI: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2018.03.032

8. Simpson E. L.*, Fillmore D. L., Szajna M. J., Bogner E., Malenda M. G., Livingston K. M, Hartline B., 2015, Enigmatic spheres from the Late Triassic Lockatong Formation, Newark basin of eastern Pennsylvania: Evidence for microbial activity in marginal- lacustrine strandline deposits: Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments, v. 95. 521-529. DOI: 10.1007/s12549-015-0207-y

9. Betts T. A., Heness, E. A., Semian Z. A., Malenda M. G., Simpson E. L.*, Friehauf K. C., 2014, The unusual occurrence of adipocere spheres on the hypersaline lacustrine shoreline, Salton Sea, California: Palaios. v. 29, p. 553-559. DOI: 10.2110/palo.2014.02

 

Marcelo Lippmann Graduate Scholarship, ($3,000), 2024

Geothermal Rising

 

Geothermal Rising Student Paper Contest Winner, 2023

Geothermal Rising Student Association

 

Charlie and Jean Smith Scholarship ($10,000), 2023

Society of Exploration Geophysicists

 

Community Impact Award, 2020

Stanford Alumni Association

 

Microscopy and Microanalysis (M&M) 2nd Place Poster Award, 2018

M&M Conference Session P06.P1

 

CSM Sister-to-Sister Scholarship ($3,500), 2018

Women in Science, Engineering and Mathematics (WISEM) Program

 

John and Carolyn Mann Graduate Fellowship ($2,100), 2018

CSM Department of Geology and Geological Engineering

 

Chambliss Student Academic Achievement Award; Gold Medal, 2017

KU; Nominated for Research and Community Service categories

 

Simpson Academic Achievement Award, 2017

KU Geology/Marine Sciences

 

Syed R. Ali-Zaidi Award for Academic Excellence (Nominated), 2016

Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education

 

SGA Award for Conference Travel Grant ($900), 2016

Kutztown University Student Government Board

 

Dean’s Star Scholar, 2016-2017

KU Department of Liberal Arts and Sciences

 

Annual Essay Contest Winner, 1st Place ($1,000), 2015

Pennsylvania Committee of Professional Geologists

 

Neag Undergraduate Research Award Grant ($1,500) 2014

KU Research Committee

 

KU Undergraduate Research Grant ($700 and $900) 2013, 2014

KU Research Committee