February 2026
📰 AEG St. Louis Chapter Newsletter
February 2026 Edition
Please forward to colleagues or students who may be interested!
🌐 Visit our website: https://www.aegstl.com
Upcoming Chapter Meeting
📅 Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
🕒 Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (6:00-6:30 Social, 6:30 - 7:00 Chapter remarks, 7:00-8:00 Presentation)
🎤 Speaker: Isaac Pope
📝 Topic: “The Canary Islands: Hazard Mitigation, Engineering, and Science Communication in the Tourist Trap of the Atlantic.”
📍 Location: Pietro's
Address: 3801 Watson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63109
Dinner will be provided
Meeting Cost: Members - $20, Non-Members - $25, Students - $10
With a background in GIS and geology, Isaac Pope is a volcanologist and remote sensing scientist focused on integrating geospatial and petrologic data to investigate geologic history and hazards. Awarded Goldwater Scholar and All-USA Academic Team while a student at Centralia College, he transferred to Colorado School of Mines where he focused on geologic hazards analysis in landslide, volcanic, and earthquake applications while he finished his B.S. in Geology and Geological Engineering and M.S. in GIS and Geoinformatics. As a Research Physical Scientist intern at U.S. Geological Survey, Isaac worked on risk communication in the Earthquake Hazards Program. He is now a PhD student at Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Abstract details: The Canary Islands are a vibrant landscape teeming with wonder. Staggering views from mountains reaching over 13,000 feet above the tropical Atlantic Ocean beckon millions of visitors every year, yet at the heart of this growing tourist destination is an incredible interplay of volcanology, hazards, and geotechnical engineering. The confrontation of these fields during volcanic events, such as the devastating Tajogaite eruption on the Island of La Palma in 2021, illustrate the dangers when society, science, and politics collide. This presentation will explore the islands’ volcanic history, their hazards, and the science that are working together to build a sustainable future for the beautiful Canary Islands.
Upcoming Events
🧊 MU Winter Social – Hidden Valley Polar Plunge
📅 Primary Date: Saturday, February 7th
📍 Location: Hidden Valley Resort
🎿 Event Highlights
Tubing Session: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Important: Please buy your tickets online ahead of time (and sooner rather than later) for the 12:00–2:00 PM Polar Plunge tubing session on February 7th via the resort
🍻 After Tubing: Plan to meet up in the lodge for beer, food, and hangout time!
⭐ AEG S&T Student Chapter – Trivia Night!
📅 Friday, February 13, 2026
🕕 6:00–8:00 PM
Join the Missouri S&T Student AEG Chapter for a fun evening of trivia, networking, and friendly competition!
📍 Location: Colton’s Steakhouse, 1675 N Bishop Ave, Rolla, MO 65401
💲 Cost
Students: $10
Professionals: $15
📧 RSVP
Please RSVP to Corey Hubkey at cchhnw@mst.edu
🏛 AEG Webinar
📅 Date: Tuesday, February 17th, 2026
🕒 Time: 12-00 PM – 1:30 PM
🎤 Speaker: Greg Hempen, PHD, PE, RG
📝 Topic: “Get a Job, Create Your Career: a Presentation for Work & Career Aspirations.
📍 RSVP: Cost is FREE for Members… $20 for Non-Members
The presentation provides the excitement and challenges of building a career, using my own experiences in the federal government, private industry, and consulting. Three topics (Personal Attributes, Acquiring Your Next Position, & Career Development) are addressed. The talk notes the employer’s perspective, so work applicants or performance-evaluated employees may: appropriately provide materials (resumes and applications for work applicants); respond to interview questions and ask questions of the interviewer; negotiate the benefit package for the position; and prepare for, and respond to, performance evaluations. The presentation also offers suggestions on how one’s career may be tailored [career shaped] over time to an individual’s goals.
📅 Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
🕒 Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
🎤 Speaker: Mr. Isaac Pope
📝 Topic: The Canary Islands: Hazard Mitigation, Engineering, and Science Communication in the Tourist Trap of the Atlantic
📍 Location: TBD
📫 Address: To Be Announced
The Canary Islands are a vibrant landscape teeming with wonder. Staggering views from mountains reaching over 13,000 feet above the tropical Atlantic Ocean beckon millions of visitors every year, yet at the heart of this growing tourist destination is an incredible interplay of volcanology, hazards, and geotechnical engineering. The confrontation of these fields during volcanic events, such as the devastating Tajogaite eruption on the Island of La Palma in 2021, illustrate the dangers when society, science, and politics collide. This presentation will explore the islands’ volcanic history, their hazards, and the science that are working together to build a sustainable future for the beautiful Canary Islands.
🎓 AEG Foundation & Diversity Field Trips Grant
Please consider contributing to the AEG Foundation in memory of Phyllis Steckel, former North Central Regional Director. Donations can be made individually or during AEG dues renewal.
Diversity Field Trips Grant:
Established by Phyllis and Richard Steckel, this grant supports Earth Science or STEM teachers working primarily with Black, Hispanic/Latino/a, Pacific Islander, and/or American Indian/Alaskan Native students.
🔗 Apply here: https://aegfoundation.org/grant-scholarships/
📧 Completed paper applications may be emailed to: staff@aegfoundation.org
💵 The St. Louis Chapter will match donations up to $500.
📣 If you donate in memory of Phyllis, please notify Luke Ducey at Luke.Ducey@wsp.com so we can match your contribution.
✍️ AEG Member Blogs
AEG now hosts member-written blogs — short articles (500–1,000 words) offering advice, insights, and professional knowledge. Topics include student engagement, field trip ideas, and meeting tips.
💡 Got an idea? Contact Sheri Maskow at manager@aegweb.org
🔁 Membership Renewal Reminder
If you haven’t renewed your 2025 membership, please do so soon!
🔐 Log in with your email and password to access renewal forms via the Membership section.
💼 Employment Opportunities
UES
Regional Director of Business Development
Driller Helper
Senior Lab Technician
Geotechnical Project Manager
🔗 Apply online
Rocksmith Geoengineering
Staff Geologist or Geological Engineer
Seeking candidates with experience in geotechnical, rock mechanics, hydrogeological, and environmental services
📧 Email: info “at” rocksmithgeo.com
Terracon
Multiple openings: Environmental Engineer, Architectural Historian, Geotechnical Manager, Geophysical Intern
🔗 Apply online
WSP
Multiple openings: Water Resources Engineer, Geological Engineer, Natural Resources Intern, Environmental Engineer
🔗 Apply online
The Joint Engineering Program (UMSL and WASHU)
The Joint Engineering Program (which is a night program which is shared between UMSL and WashU) is looking for someone to teach a foundation design course in Fall 2026. This is a pretty typical senior-level civil engineering foundations course – the course description is below. The previous instructor is willing to share notes, old exams, etc. The course historically has been taught Tuesday night 7:00-9:50 PM on the WashU campus, although I think there might be some flexibility. In general, the Dean insists on a master’s degree to teach.
Foundation Engineering course description: Principal problems in design and construction of foundations for bridges and buildings. Bearing capacity of deep and shallow foundations; pressure on retaining walls and shallow foundations; pressure on retaining walls and slope stability; modern developments in piling, cofferdams, open caissons, pneumatic caissons.
If anyone is interested or wants more information, they can contact me (cohen.m@wustl.edu) or Gary Moore (gmoore23@wustl.edu, the Civil Program Director.
📣 Jobseekers & Employers:
To post or update listings, contact Sean Garcia at sean.garcia@terracon.com
🔄 Webmaster Emy Ludwig will update job postings quarterly
👥 Chapter Officers (Aug 2024 – Aug 2026)
Chair: Luke Ducey – Luke.Ducey@wsp.com
Vice Chair: Ben Luetkemeyer – ben.luetkemeyer@terracon.com
Treasurer: Alex Hirsch – ahirsch@trccompanies.com
Secretary: Sean Garcia – sean.garcia@terracon.com
Past Chair: Matt Masterson – matt.masterson@wsp.com
Webmaster: Emy Ludwig – emy.ludwig@rocksmithgeo.com
Membership Chair: Amber Thrasher – amber.thrasher@rocksmithgeo.com
Region 7 Director: Caleb Kuhn – calebkuhnwg@gmail.com