Susan Nissen
Childhood ambitions:
To be an archaeologist
My Career
Education:
B.S. University of Delaware; Ph.D. Columbia University
Companies and Institutions I’ve worked for:
My first geo-job/internship was as a graduate research assistant at Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory. My first career job was with Amoco – Tulsa Research Center. Since then, I've worked for Kansas Geological Survey. I currently am a self-employed consultant.
Petroleum/Geologic Provinces I’ve worked:
South China continental margin, West Siberian Basin, Gulf of Mexico outer continental shelf, Nigerian continental slope, Las Animas Arch, Central Kansas Uplift, Anadarko Basin
Years in the petroleum business:
18
My Pathway
First Well/Research Program:
Tectonic evolution of the South China continental margin
My Geo-Specialties:
Geophysics (seismic interpretation and attribute analysis)
My fondest career memory or proudest moment:
My fondest memory is team building trip rafting down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. My proudest moment was when I finally finished my Ph.D.
My Inspiration
My inspiration and motivation comes from:
Knowing that every new dataset I work with has the potential to provide new knowledge (or raise new questions!)
My most memorable idols/mentors:
Norm Haskell, Kurt Marfurt, and Bob Scott
My Impact
AAPG member since:
1992
AAPG committees:
PROWESS
Society Affiliations:
AAPG, American Geophysical Union, Association for Women Geoscientists (Board of Directors, 2004-2009), Geological Society of America, Geophysical Society of Kansas (Treasurer, 2005-2009; President, 2009-present) Kansas Geological Society, Society of Exploration Geophysicists
Bachelor's from University of Delaware and Doctorate from Columbia University
Currently self-employed