Dr. Brown Requist
HELLO, I'M
Dr. Kate Brown Requist
Researcher in Mining Occupational and Environmental Health Engineering
My Work
I am a researcher at the University of Arizona focusing on the development and implementation of exposure monitoring technologies. My work looks at the use of applied mathematics to answer questions in health and environmental science. My research is rooted in the development of numerical and statistical methods for the determination of site-wide exposures from wireless sensor data. Improved understanding of real-time and future air quality can fundamentally redefine our approaches to miner health and safety. On the whole, I would describe myself as a mining occupational and environmental health engineer. We have many environment- and health-related challenges to tackle as we continue to strive for a zero-harm industry. In order to do this, we need to be sure that we are prioritizing the health of miners, local communities, and the environment.
Education
WHAT I’VE LEARNED
August 2022 - Anticipated May 2025
University of Arizona
PhD in Mining, Geological and Geophysical Engineering
Development of a Statistical Basis for the Estimation of Local Airborne Contamination Concentration in Underground Mines
Experience
WHERE I’VE WORKED
August 2022 - Current
University of Arizona San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory
Project Engineer
November 2021 - January 2022
Call and Nicholas, Inc.
Geological Engineer Intern
August 2018 - May 2022
University of Arizona
BS in Mining Engineering
Economic Analysis, Design and Planning of a Lithium-Boron Surface Mine Hosted in a Shale-Sandstone Complex in Chaves County, New Mexico
June 2021 - August 2021
Vulcan Materials
Operations and Production Engineer Intern
October 2020 - December 2020
Rosemont Copper, Hudbay's Arizona Business Unit
Geological Engineer Intern
Research
WHAT I'VE BEEN DEVELOPING
January 2022 - Current
Research Assistant
University of Arizona Department of Mining and Geological Engineering and Mine Safety Center of Excellence
Designing and implementing real-time contaminant transport monitoring systems and predictive modeling methods
Producing digital mining health and safety training resources for mine rescue and self-escape
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November 2020 - Current
Research Partner
University of Arizona Mine Intelligence Research Group
Developing excavation program for water-ice rich lunar regolith in permanently shaded regions of the moon
Designing methods for resource modelling and ore control within an entirely autonomous environment
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April 2021 - July 2021
Research Consultant
University of Arizona Mine Safety Center of Excellence and International Council for Mining and Metallurgy
Conducted product research to analyze the feasibility of widespread real-time particulate monitoring in underground environments
Assisted in the publication of an official International Council for Mining and Metallurgy policy statement
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January 2020 - June 2020
Research Member
University of Arizona Laboratory for Advanced Subsurface Imaging
Performed geophysical subsurface imaging in Patagonia, Arizona to monitor water table level
Located near-surface massive sulfide bodies using electromagnetic and direct current resistivity geophysical study methods
Validated the use of function-domain electromagnetic survey as a supplemental survey method in near-surface applications
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December 2017 - June 2018
Visiting Researcher
University of Bremen Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity, German Center for Air and Space Travel, US Department of State, German Federal Foreign Office
Joint program administered by US and German federal governments for diplomatic exchange of young adults
Investigated effects of microgravity on long chain organic polymers for use in self-siphoning, semi-solid fuels applications
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Teaching
WHAT I CAN SHARE
Mine Ventilation
University of Arizona - Teaching Assistant
Spring 2022-2025
Classroom and laboratory instruction of mine ventilation analysis and design with a focus on engineering thermodynamics and contaminant transport phenomena
Extensive focus on applied thermodynamics and heat transfer specific to the mining industry, especially as electrification of equipment leads to new challenges in mine heating and refrigeration
25% Active, 25% Experiential, 50% Traditional Learning Course
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Fundamentals of Engineering Other Disciplines Prep Course
University of Arizona - Course Instructor
Spring 2023-2025
7-week, non-credit NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering: Other Disciplines exam review offered twice per semester
In-depth review of all 15 topics included in the FE: Other Disciplines exam, culminating with a mock FE exam based on previous FE exam questions
100% Active Learning Course
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Geopositioning
University of Arizona - Teaching Assistant
Fall 2021-2024
Facilitate laboratory instruction of 25 graduate and undergraduate students in geopositioning and geomatics
Develop course materials for hands-on laboratory sessions and computer-based coding exercises
Graduate-level discussion of applications of combinatorial computational geometry for the determination of underground excavation convergence
50% Experiential, 50% Traditional Learning Course
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Mine Planning Technologies
University of Arizona - Teaching Assistant
Winter 2022-2024
Short course instruction for mine planning software to prepare upper-level undergraduate and graduate students for courses in surface and underground mine design
Provide guidance for design best practices with a focus on geotechnical design constraints
100% Experiential Learning Course
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Surface Mine Design
University of Arizona - Teaching Assistant
Spring 2022
Laboratory instruction of surface mine design and production planning utilizing MinePlan mine planning software
Provide insight for mineral resource classification, block model creation and geostatistical analysis of ore grade distribution
25% Experiential, 75% Traditional Learning Course