Maria A. Gutierrez Azuaje
  • PhD Candidate

Research Interests

Currently working on improving stratigraphic subdivisions and correlations in mudstone- carbonate sequences from late Paleozoic in the Southern Permian basin (Pennsylvanian – Early Permian) by using geochemical and facies analyses in outcrop and core datasets.

Research Assistant, UROC, Texas A&M University

  • Conducted outcrops and core stratigraphic analyses of the Cisco and Wolfcamp Formations in the Permian basin.
  • Preparing samples and running geochemical lab analyses from core and outcrop (XRD, XRF, Stable Isotopes).
  • Analyzed geochemical data using multivariate statistic techniques.
  • Managed XRF, XRD trainings and safety protocols for a research group of eight students.
  • Co- leaded consortium fieldtrips to study area.

Summer Teaching Assistant, Senior Research Class, Texas A&M University (Summer 2018 and 2019).

  • Designed a 10-week research project.
  • Taught students how to safely manipulate X- ray spectrometer and diffractometer.
  • Selected relevant literature for reading assignments and fostered discussions.
  • Explained students how to analyze inorganic geochemistry to aid stratigraphic interpretations.

Conferences Participation

  • Virtual AAPG ACE, Poster Presenter, September, 29 - October 1, 2020. Chemofacies and Lithofacies in the Lower Wolfcamp Group, type locality in the Glass Mountains, West Texas.
  • 7th IAS Summer School, October 21-28, 2018. Process, stratal architecture and controlling factors of continental to deep marine systems at the foot of the Andes. Zapala, Argentina.

Advisor: Art Donovan

Courses

Courses taught:

  • Historical Geology Lab

Other:

  • Research Assistant in petroleum systems and basin modeling (2015)
  • Research Assistant in clastic sedimentology: eolian and fluvial deposits (2014)

Research Focus

  • Mudrocks
  • chemostratigraphy
  • outcrop-subsurface correlations
  • Late Pennsylvanian-Early Permian transition
  • Wolfcamp Hills
  • West Texas outcrops

Educational Background

  • 2018 – Present: PhD. Geology. Texas A&M University. College Station Texas. Doctoral Thesis: Chemostratigraphy of the Wolfcamp Formation in West Texas Outcrops and its correlation with southern Permian basin
  • 2016: MS. Geology. Texas A&M University. College Station Texas. MS. Thesis: Spatial variations in eolian stratigraphic architecture of the Norphlet Formation, southwestern Alabama. Advisor: Dr. Ryan Ewing
  • 2010: Diploma in Petroleum Geosciences. IFP School. Capstone Project: “Benefits and applications of elemental spectroscopy logging tool in “O” and “P”Members, Escandalosa formation, Borburata field, Barinas basin, Venezuela”
  • 2007: BEng. Geological Engineering. Universidad de Los Andes, Venezuela

Industry Experience

    • Summer Intern at Hilcorp Energy Company (2021)
    • Intern at University Lands (2016, 2017)
    • Reservoir Geologist, PDVSA, Venezuela (2007 -2013)

Awards & Honors

  • GSA Research Grant (2021)
  • AAPG Student Research Grant (2021).
  • UROC University Lands Fellowship (2018 – 2021).
  • GCAGS Student Research Grant Recipient (2018)
  • Chevron Center of Research Excellence (CoRE) Fellowship, TAMU (2015)

Selected Publications

  • Donovan, A. D., M. C. Pope , J. C. Laya, J. Sleight, M. A. Gutierrez, B. Richards, E. Sims, and E. Peavey, 2019, Outcrop Windows to the Unconventional Reservoirs and Stratigraphy of Wolfcamp Group in the Permian Basin, The Houston Geological Society Bulletin, v. 62, p. 8-9.

  • Gutierrez, M. A., and R. Ewing, 2015. Spatial variations in eolian stratigraphic architecture of the Norphlet Formation, southwestern Alabama: Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions, v. 65, p. 455–461