Groundwater modeling is an essential tool for water management. Although computer models such as MODFLOW and SUTRA do have limitations, they are important theoretical tools. I am working with Dr. Len Vacher studying the interactions between groundwater flow in karstic aquifers and coastal processes such as tidal propagation through the aquifer and freshwater-saltwater mixing. Because I am funded by a USF Presidential Fellowship, I have been able to participate in many off-campus opportunities, such as internships at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio and the United States Geological Survey in Reston, Virginia. In the last year, I spent more than five months' time away from home, doing internships and participating in field work in the Bahamas, Cuba, and Belize.

I am a Ph.D. student at USF. I earned my bachelor's and master's degrees in Geosciences from Mississippi State University. I love doing field work on tropical islands, and I have a strong interest in promoting quantitative literacy in educating geoscientists.

Contact Me:
Sarah E. "Beth" Fratesi
Department of Geology
University of South Florida
4202 E. Fowler Ave., SCA 528
Tampa, FL 33620-5201
813-974-8751(ph)
813-974-2654(fax)
sfratesi@mail.usf.edu