Summary
Geologist with 11 years of increasingly responsible experience in research, field investigations, and project management. Strong interest in incorporating my geologic knowledge with GIS technology. Excellent writen and verbal communication skills.
Computer Skills Include: WordPerfect, Word, Excel, Access, Corel Draw, Macromedia Dreamweaver and Fireworks, ArcView, MapInfo
Work History
Associate Geologist: Pacific Soils Engineering - Cypress, California (1/98 - 9/00)
Responsibilities included: geologic investigations for residential and commercial developments; fault studies and assessment of geologic hazards; geologic mapping and site reconnaissance; detailed logging of test borings and trenches; analyzation aerial photographs; preparation of geotechnical reports; and in-grading inspections and geologic mapping.
Geologist: Hatch-Mott MacDonald - North Hollywood, California (2/96 - 1/98)
Responsible for mapping, groundwater monitoring and initial geologic assessment during the construction of the Metro Red Line Segment 3 from Universal Studios to Hollywood. Created and maintained a database containing groundwater flow rates over time and ground quality and conditions. Information obtained helped determine the stability of the surrounding bedrock during tunnel construction and identify and abate potentially dangerous conditions.
Geologic Technician: Black and Veatch - Highland, California (2/95 - 2/96)
Responsible for testing samples from various zones during the construction of the Seven Oaks Dam in San Bernardino, California. Tests performed include: relative density, gradations, proctors, 4 and 5 foot water ring replacement, 6 and 12 inch sand cones, and Atterberg limits. Results of these tests determined if the material was within ASTM and COE specs. Also assisted Army Corps of Engineers as a grout inspector and assistant geologist during the construction of the Seven Oaks Dam in San Bernardino, California. Supervised drilling of grout holes, water pressure tests, grouting, and backfilling of holes. Also supervised drilling of exploration holes, including logging core and pressure testing of holes
Field Geologist: U. S. Borax Inc. - Valencia, California (6/94 - 12/94)
Responsible for assisting four exploration geologists and providing field support at exploration drill sites in Death Valley (borates), Minnesota (kaolin) and Georgia (kaolin). Supervised drillers while on drill sites, identified cuttings, logged the cores, and determined which samples to analyze. Evaluation of mineral quality determined the mining potential and economic value of the site.
Laboratory Technician: U. S. Borax Inc. - Valencia, California (6/93 - 6/94)
Responsible for the technical support of 10 chemists, 4 exploration geologists and over a 100 customers. Analyzed, interpreted and provided identification of mineral phases using an x-ray defractometer and a scanning electron microscope. Compiled, organized and wrote five Quality Assurance Procedures for the Wilmington plant. Adoption and implementation of these procedures assisted in obtaining ISO 9000 certification for U.S. Borax.
Geophysical Technician: Unocal, International Exploration Department - Los Angeles, California (2/89 - 6/92)
Responsible for managing all gravity and magnetic data for the Potential Fields Group. Created, updated and managed a database using dBASE IV to record all available data for each country. Drafted maps of various scales using gravity, magnetic and elevation data within given deadlines. Production of these maps aided in the interpretation and assessment of the exploration potential of a prospective site.
Master of Science, Geology (expected Spring 2002) - California State University at Los Angeles
Thesis (in progress): "Paleosol Development in the Paleogene Silvarado Formation, San Joaquin Hills, California"; Advisor: Dr. Pedro Ramirez.
Curriculum: Paleoseismology, Engineering geology, Engineering Geomorphology, Tectonic Development of the Western United States, Hydrogeology, Intro to GIS (using ArcView), CAD Modeling (using MicroStation).Bachelor of Science, Geology (1995) - California State University at Los Angeles
Undergraduate research (1992): "Geology of the Seneca Road Area, Northern Sierra Nevada, Plumas County, California"; Advisor: Dr. Perry Ehlig
Curriculum: Igneous, Metamorphic and Sedimentary Petrology, Clay Mineralogy, Structural Geology, Photogeology, Hydrogeology, Geology of California, Volcanology, Optical Mineralogy.
Web Page Construction: Designed and developed the following web sites using Dreamweaver and Fireworks - The Geophile (http://www.geophile.net).
Lesson Plan Development: Helped to develop the lesson plan for "The Founding of America: A Standards-based Lesson Plan for Eleventh Grade United States History " for special education students. Created a web site for the lesson plan (http://home.earthlink.net/~mmslugg/Salt2000/) using Dreamweaver and Fireworks.
Graphic Design: Designed the invitations and programs for Flame Fantasy, a benefit for the House Ear Institute of Los Angeles produced by Delta Zeta Lamplighters of Southern California.
Newsletter Design and Editing: Designed, edited and wrote newsletters for Theta Rho Chapter of Delta Zeta Sorority, Pasadena Foothill Alumnae (Foothill Footnotes) and the docents of the Southwest Museum (Glyphs and Graphs).
Research Experience
Graduate research: Paleosol Development in the Paleocene Silverado Formation, San Joaquin Hills, California; Advisor: Dr. Pedro Ramirez.
Undergraduate research: Geology of the Seneca Road Area, Northern Sierra Nevada, Plumas County, California; Advisor: Dr. Perry Ehlig
Professional research: EIR-Level geotechnical Study and fault investigation, Hughes Fullerton Campus Site, City of Fullerton, California; Unpublished Consultant's Report (Pacific Soils Engineering)
Graduate Student: Awarded while working full time: the AAPG Van Couvering Award (2000); the Martin Stout Scholarship (1999); and the Robert Stone Graduate Scholarship (1998)
Undergraduate Student: Awarded while working full time: the Chance-Dana Scholarship (1991), the National Dean's Honor Roll (1991) and participated in the G. E. Honors Program.
American Geophysical Union
Association of Engineering Geologists
Association of Women Geoscientists
Geological Society of America
Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans
Society of Economic Mineralogists and Petrologists
Professional Development
GSA Short Course: Paleosols (2001)
GSA Short Course: Paleogeographic Reconstruction Techniques (2001)
Campbell Nuclear Test Gauge (1998)
CSULA Special Topics in Geology: Engineering Geology of Concrete Gravity Dams (1997)
Metro Red Line Construction Safety Education Program: Tunnel Hazard Awareness Training (1996)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Procedures and Inspection For Earthwork Construction (1995)
Primary Author
Leyva, S. M., Ramirez, P. C., 2000, From Arkoses to Laterites: Compositional Analysis of Paleosols within the Paleogene Silvarado Formation, Northern Peninsular Ranges, California (Poster); 2000 GSA Annual Meeting, Reno, Nevada.
Leyva, S. M., Ramirez, P. C., 2000, Development and Distribution of Lateritic Paleosols in the Paleogene Silvarado Formation, San JoaquinHills, California (Poster); 2000 Pacific Section AAPG and Pacific Section SEPM joint meeting, Long Beach, California
Leyva, S. M., Ramirez, P. C., 1999, Paleosol Occurrences in the Paleogene Silvarado Formation, Northern Peninsular Ranges, California,(Poster); 1999 GSA Cordillerian Section Annual Meeting, Berkeley, California
Leyva, S. M., Ramirez, P. C., Lima, R., Colville, A., 1999, Paleosol Development and Quartz Dissolution in the Paleogene Silvarado Formation, San Joaquin Hills, California (Poster); 1999 Southern California Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting, Dominguez Hills, California
Co-Author
Lima, R., Ramirez, P. C., Leyva, S. M., 1999, Origin of a Quartz-rich Sandstone in the Paleogene Silverado Formation, Northern Peninsular Ranges, California (Poster); 1999 Southern California Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting, Dominguez Hills, California
Sonjia Leyva, copyright 1997 - 2002