Our final GEOS spotlight of the Spring 2025 semester shines on geology senior Amina Busuri. Amina cleaned up at this year's Geosciences Night, winning three awards including being named the most Outstanding Geology Senior. Get to know Amina better in our Q&A below!
Where are you from originally?
I am originally from Columbus, Ohio, but spent most of my life in Tucker, Georgia.
Where did you go to school before coming to GSU?
Before GSU, I went to Meadowcreek High School in Lilburn, Georgia.
What year in school are you?
I am in my senior year and have been a student at GSU since 2019.
What’s your major/concentration?
My major is geosciences with a concentration in geology, and I am also minoring in women’s, gender and sexuality studies.
Which class has been your favorite to take in the Department of Geosciences?
I have taken many classes in the Department of Geosciences that I have enjoyed, but Hydrogeology has been the most interesting and introduced me to water science!
What is your favorite thing about being a GEOS major at GSU?
As a GEOS major at GSU, I greatly appreciate the department’s interdisciplinary scope, where diverse fields such as sustainability, geology, and GIS intersect and form a cohesive understanding of geosciences. Engaging with my peers in different concentrations enriches my academic experience in GEOS as well.
What have you been working on lately?
Last semester I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Gebregiorgis in his lab on stable isotope ratios of rainwater samples from various locations in Ethiopia. This research deepened my interest in water science, and I was able to learn how to operate a laser spectrometer which was a fulfilling learning opportunity, allowing me to witness science unfolding in real time.
As I am nearing the end of my undergraduate studies, I am eager to take the next steps in my career within the GEOS department and am exploring opportunities to contribute and grow professionally. At Geosciences Night, I was honored to receive the American Institute of Professional Geologists Award, the Ernest Fritz Memorial Field Camp Endowment, and the Outstanding Geology Senior Award. These awards recognized my work in the classroom, the lab, and within the department through club participation. I am grateful for the endowments, as they will support my field school requirements.
What are you planning to do after GSU and how do you think your GEOS degree at GSU has prepared you for that?
After GSU, I am planning to apply to jobs outside of academia with the intention to return for my master's at some point. I look forward to taking time after I graduate to commit to studying for the ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology Examination that will take me one step closer to becoming a licensed professional geologist.
My current career interests are focused on environmental remediation, mining, and hydrogeology. The courses I completed at GSU have prepared me to understand what will be required of me as a new graduate, and my professors have been instrumental in deepening my knowledge of the geology industries. I believe my GEOS degree will support me in my professional career as it has provided me with valuable skills, tools, and fundamental concepts to the areas of interest I am applying in.