Katharine Avary

Katharine
Childhood ambitions:
To be an archeologist
My Career
Education:
B.S. Geology from Emory University, Atlanta, GA; M.S. Geology from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Companies and Institutions I’ve worked for:
WV Geological and Economic Survey (WVGES), Morgantown, WV, 1978-2010
Consulting Petroleum Geologist, Morgantown, WV 2010-present
Basins I’ve worked:
Appalachian
Years in the petroleum business:
33
My Pathway
First Well/Research Program:
COSUNA project: compiling stratigraphic nomenclature for the Appalachian Basin
My Geo-Specialties:
Stratigraphy and subsurface geology of the Appalachian Basin; unconventional gas resources including coalbed methane and shales
My fondest career memory or proudest moment:
All of the great people I have met over the years, many though AAPG, and being the first woman to receive the Eastern Section AAPG's highest award, the John T. Galey Memorial Award in 2011.
My lifetime career goal:
Be the best geologist I can be.
My Inspiration
My inspiration and motivation comes from:
My mentors, John M. Dennison and Douglas G. Patchen, my colleagues and former student interns and mentorees, and the members of the WVU AAPG Student Chapter.
My most memorable idols/mentors:
John M. Dennison and Douglas G. Patchen
My Impact
AAPG member since:
1984
AAPG committees:
Advisory Council, HoD, HoD Nominations, Honors and Awards, Resolutions, Secretary/Editor; PROWESS, Committee Oversight Committee, Youth Education Activities, Student Job Fair, Imperial Barrel Award Eastern Section Coordinator, Mentoring, Committee on Statistics of Drilling, VGP, Ad Hoc Survey, Ad Hoc Domestic Sections, EMD Outreach and Exhibits, Eastern Section Officer, Eastern Section Honors and Awards Committee, Eastern Section Future Meetings Committee
Society Affiliations:
AAPG, EMD, GSA, SEPM, SPE, NSS, Appalachian Geological Society, Pittsburgh Association of Petroleum Geologists, Pittsburgh Geological Society
My Best Advice
Be a perpetual student; keep learning new things, looking at new rocks, meeting new people and taking on new responsibilities and challenges.

Bachelor’s from Emory University and Master’s from University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
Consulting Petroleum Geologist

Other PROWESS Members