Riley J. Balikian
Illinois State Geological Survey
Prairie Research Institute
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
linkedin.com/in/rileybalikian/
isgs.illinois.edu/about-isgs/staff-directory/balikian
orcid.org/0000-0002-1847-7224
EDUCATION
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
Ph.D. Student in the Department of Geology
University of Wisconsin Madison, Wisconsin
M.S. Environment and Resources | M.S. Urban and Regional Planning
– Au Sable Graduate Fellow
Wheaton College Wheaton, Illinois
B.S. Physics: Geophysics
– Spanish Minor
– Human Needs & Global Resources Certificate
– Guest Writer: The Wheaton Record
PUBLICATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, & ABSTRACTS
Balikian, R. (2019). Creeping Hazards: A Forgotten Framework for Transformability and Resilience. Proceedings of the Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems, Portland, OR.
Balikian, R., Larson, T.H., Thomason, J. (2019). Electrical Tomography and 3D Geophysical Models Towards Informed Land-Use Planning in Glacial Fluvial Outwash Plain. Proceedings of the Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems, Portland, OR.
Grimley, D., Szocinski, P., Larson, T.H., Balikian, R. (2018) Surficial Geology of Pleasant Mount Quadrangle: Bond and Fayette Counties, Illinois State Geological Survey, Illinois County Geologic Map. Bond-Fayette County, 1:24,000.
Balikian, R. (2018) “A Fool Multiplies Words” Inspiring Climate Action in Christian Communities. Oral Presentation at the American Geophysical Union Annual Meeting. Washington, DC.
Balikian, R., & Larson, T. H. (2018). Pseudo Three-Dimensional Imaging of Creep Failure in a Highway Embankment Using Two-Dimensional Electric Earth Resistivity. Proceedings of the Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems. Nashville, TN.
Larson, T. H., & Balikian, R. (2018) In-Situ Cassava Root Size Measurement Using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). Proceedings of the Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering & Environmental Problems. Nashville, TN.
Ruis-Vera, U. Balikian, R., Mwakanyamale, K., Grennan, A., De Souza, A., Larson, T.H., & Ort, D. (2017) Non-Invasive Monitoring of Below-Ground Cassava Storage Root Bulking by Ground Penetrating Radar. Poster presented at the Annual Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union. New Orleans, LA.
Balikian, R., Genskow, K. (2016) Agua(cate): Resource Scarcity, Systems Resilience, and Avocado Agriculture in San Diego County, California. Masters Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Madison. [Thesis, available at: goo.gl/FemQxB]
Van Engen, K., Mutebi, J., Daring, K., & Balikian, R. (2015). Depoliticizing Climate Change Through Film, Story, and Conversation. Panel presented at the Christian Community Development Association National Conference, Memphis, TN.
King, R., & Balikian, R. (2015). Food Insecurity: Local Solutions to a National Need. Oral presentation at the Christian Community Development Association National Conference, Memphis, TN.
Law, C., & Balikian, R. (2015). Business Improvement Districts in the Maintenance of Downtown Infrastructure. Oral presentation at the 20th Conference on the Small City and Regional Community, Wausau, WI.
TECHNICAL REPORTS
Balikian, Riley, Larson, Timothy H., and Ruiz-Vera, Ursula. 2019. Report on an In Situ Study of Cassava Roots Using Ground Penetrating Radar. Champaign, IL: Illinois State Geological Survey.
Larson, Timothy H. and Balikian, Riley. 2019. An Electrical Earth Resistivity Survey along Illinois Route 127 in Alto Pass, IL. Technical Report. Champaign, IL: Illinois State Geological Survey.
Larson, Timothy H. and Balikian, Riley. 2018. Preliminary Report of an Electrical Earth Resistivity Survey near Tinley Park, IL. Technical Report. Champaign, IL: Illinois State Geological Survey.
Larson, Timothy H. and Balikian, Riley. 2018. Preliminary Report of an Electrical Earth Resistivity Survey near Greenville, IL. Technical Report. Champaign, IL: Illinois State Geological Survey.
Larson, Timothy H. and Balikian, Riley. 2018. Shear-Wave Measurements Using Multi-Channel Analysis of Surface Wave (MASW) Method at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL. Technical Report. Champaign, IL: Illinois State Geological Survey.
Larson, Timothy H., Balikian, Riley, and Deng, Siqi. 2017. Preliminary Report of an Electrical Earth Resistivity Survey near Joliet, IL. Technical Report. Champaign, IL: Illinois State Geological Survey.
Larson, Timothy H., Balikian, Riley, and Deng, Siqi. 2017. Preliminary Report of an Electrical Earth Resistivity Survey near St. Francisville, IL. Technical Report. Champaign, IL: Illinois State Geological Survey.
Larson, Timothy H., Balikian, Riley, and Deng, Siqi. 2017. An Electrical Earth Resistivity Survey along Northbound Illinois Route 251 in Peru, IL. Technical Report. Champaign, IL: Illinois State Geological Survey.
Larson, Timothy H., Balikian, Riley, and Thomason, Jason. 2017. Electrical Earth Resistivity Surveys in McHenry Co., IL. Technical Report. Champaign, IL: Illinois State Geological Survey.
DATA PROCESSING AND ANALYTIC COMPUTER CODES
All codes available online at: github.com/RJbalikian
Visual Basic and VBA
Code: VBA for processing and visualizing GPR data [Link]
Description: For use in Scripter app (Golden Software), calling Voxler app (3D Modelling Software)
MATLAB
Code: MATLAB to clip and pre-process GPR data for volumetric analysis [Link]
Description: Preprocessing of GPR data to map and trim data to eliminate
Code: Add Topo 2 ERT DAT File, including packaged app [Link forthcoming]
Description: Quickly adds high-resolution topography to ERT data exported in General Array format
Code: XYZ Output for ERT, including packaged app [Link forthcoming]
Description: Combines ERT model data output from Res2DInv with XY data to geolocate ERT data in 3D
Code: Cassava Data Analysis App [Link forthcoming]
Description: MATLAB app to perform various analyses of GPR data for measuring Cassava Roots
Python
Code: Jupyter notebook: Statewide Well Data Manipulation [Link forthcoming]
Description: Convert statewide well data in points to interpolated coarse/fine layers
*Developed with student Ketong Xie
AWARDS AND HONORS
2015 Wisconsin Without Borders: Excellence in Community-Based Research (Awarded by the Morgridge Center for Public Service)
2015 Student Project Award (Awarded by the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Planning Association)
2013 Student speaker (Selected by Wheaton College administration to speak at undergraduate baccalaureate)
2013 1st Place: P.J. Hill Essay Contest (Awarded by the Wheaton College Department of Economics)
2013 1st Place: Wheaton Reflects Senior Essay Contest (Sponsored by the Wheaton College Union)
WORK AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
| 2017 – Present | Illinois State Geological Survey Champaign-Urbana, Illinois 2018 – Present: Visiting Senior Scientific Specialist: Geophysicist & Hydrogeologist 2017 – 2018: Geophysics Field Scientist |
| 2014 – 2016 | University of Wisconsin Ethiopia Twinning Partnership Madison, Wisconsin 2015-2016: Associate Outreach Specialist 2014-2015: Research Assistant |
| 2014 – 2015 | University of Wisconsin-Extension, Local Government Center Madison, Wisconsin Business Improvement District Research Assistant |
| 2013 – 2014 | University of Wisconsin-Madison Urban & Regional Planning Department Madison, Wisconsin Project Manager, Oneida Community Integrated Food System Project (Short-term) |
| 2013 – 2014 | University of Wisconsin-Madison Urban & Regional Planning Department Madison, Wisconsin Graduate Research Assistant |
| 2013 – 2014 | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Madison, Wisconsin Water Permit Intake Specialist |
| 2013 | Wheaton College Department of Geology and Environmental Studies Wheaton, Illinois Independent Study/Geophysics Lab Assistant |
| 2012 – 2013 | Wheaton College Human Needs and Global Resources Department Wheaton, Illinois Teacher’s Assistant |
| 2011 | Lifewater International Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), Ethiopia Water Resources Field Intern (in partial fulfillment of Human Needs and Global Resources certificate) |
FORMAL COURSE INSTRUCTION AND FACILITATION
Higher Education
| 2018 | GEOL 593: Methods in Applied Geophysics University of Illinois Field Facilitator: Coordinated field data collection and provided technical material for lectures |
| 2016 | PL PATH 375: Social-Ecological Systems and Development University of Wisconsin Instructor: Prepared course materials, facilitated class sesions, and led and organized field trips |
| 2013 | GEOL 437: Hydrogeology Wheaton College, IL Lab Assistant: Assisted students in lab and during field trip |
| 2012 – 2013 | HNGR 117: Third World Issues Wheaton College, IL Teacher’s Assistant: Facilitated sessions, coordinated guest lectures, prepared class materials |
K-12 Education
| 2016-2017 | Champaign Unit 4 School District (Licensed Substitute Teacher) Substitute Teacher: Medium-term substitute for High School Spanish I course Also taught and/or aided classes from kindergarten to 12th grade, including special education |
SERVICE AND VOLUNTEERING
| 2014 – 2019 | Young Evangelicals for Climate Action (YECA) United States/Nationwide 2016 – 2019: Secretary 2015 – 2016: Treasurer 2014 – 2019: National Steering Committee Member |
| 2013 – 2015 | Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development Madison, Wisconsin LIGHT Program Site Coordinator – Madison East High School |
| 2014 | Community Groundworks at Troy Community Farm Madison, Wisconsin Intern |
| 2012 – 2013 | A Rocha Conservation Organization, Wheaton College Chapter Wheaton, Illinois Student member |
| 2012 | Wheaton College Deye Mon Haiti (Formerly Haiti-Wheaton Partnership) Wheaton, Illinois Student member |
| 2010 – 2011 | World Relief West Chicago, Illinois English as Second Language (ESL) Tutor |
| 2009 – 2011 | Honduras Project Wheaton, Illinois and Tegucigalpa, Honduras 2010 – 2011: Cabinet Member (Team Educator) 2009 – 2010: Student Team Member |
| 2010 | World Relief Wheaton, Illinois After School Tutor, Lowell Elementary School |
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society [www.eegs.org]
- American Geophysical Union [www.agu.org]
- Society of Exploration Geophysicists [www.seg.org]
- Geological Society of America [2017-2018] [www.geosociety.org]
NON-ACADEMIC WRITING & OUTREACH
Balikian, R.. (2018). The Value of Volunteering. GeoGradGuide.com. [Link]
Balikian, R.. (2018). Writing in Rock Blog.
Some Great Falls and a Very Rivery River [Link]
In the Middle: Kansas, Cowboys, Crossroads, & an American Mediterranean Sea [Link]
The Precambrian: 20,000 Feet Under the Trees (Part III) [Link]
The Precambrian: Mystery and Myth (Part II) [Link]
Groundwar: Geologists in the Trenches [Link]
The Precambrian: An Origin Story (Part I) [Link]
The Quiet of the Aging (A Sonnet of Illinois Geology) [Link]
The Earth is Electric: Resistivity Geophysics [Link]
Southern Proceedings: The Three Tennessees [Link]
A Wrinkle in Time (Lapse) [Link]
From Time Immemorial: The Prévanance of Unremembered Eons [Link]
The Lakes and the Law of the Sea [Link]
Geology of Illinois (No, it’s not an Oxymoron) [Link]
How to Build a Moraine (Part II) [Link]
How to Build a Moraine (Part I) [Link]
Writing in Rock, An Introduction (Parts I & II) [Link 1] [Link 2]
Balikian, R.. (2015). “The Awe, the Longing, and All Those Questions.” The Covenant Companion.
Balikian, R. (2013). “Reflections on Curiosity and Wisdom.” Wheaton College- Senior Reflections on Liberal Arts.
Hailu, Z.G., Sanders, R., Balikian, R.. (2013). Water & Irrigation for Small-Scale Farmers. Panel Presentation at the Human Needs and Global Resources Symposium. Wheaton, IL.
PRESS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Balikian, R., Subramanian, M., Hernandez, D., 2018. Young Evangelical Christians and Climate Change. The 21st Radio Show with Niala Boodhoo.
-Interview Audio [Link]
-Audio for full episode [Link]
Kroeker, A. “Nurturing a Holy Curiosity,” byFaith Magazine, 23-Aug-2017
[Acknowledgement] J. Dawson and A. Morales, Eds., “Chicago Marketplaces: Advancing Access to Healthy Food,” in Cities of Farmers: Urban Agricultural Practices and Processes, University of Iowa Press, 2016, pp. 191–210.
[Acknowledgement] A. Morales, “Food Systems for Healthy Places,” Built Environment and Public Health Clearinghouse, 14-Dec-2015. [Online]. Available: https://gtbephc.wordpress.com/2015/12/14/food-systems-for-healthy-places/.
[Acknowledgement] C. Law, “Directory of Contacts for Wisconsin Business Improvement Districts (BIDs),” University of Wisconsin-Extension, Madison, WI, Sep. 2015.
“GHI Programs Associate Among Those Honored for Engagement Beyond Campus Borders,” Global Health Institute, 14-Apr-2015. [Online]. Available: https://ghi.wisc.edu/ghi-programs-associate-among-those-honored-for-engagement-beyond-campus-borders/.
Erickson, D. “As young evangelical, he finds God’s call in focus on climate ‘crisis.’” Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, 05-Apr-2015. [Link]
Collins, MB. “A Partnership: Oneida and the Commons,” University of Wisconsin School of Human Ecology, 01-Dec-2014.
Schneider, P. “Madison’s tiny houses for homeless an example of ‘housing co-production,’ says planning journal,” The Cap Times, Madison, Wisconsin, 07-Apr-2014.
SKILLS AND TRAINING
- FEMA Training: National Incident Management (NIMS) Introduction (IS-700 – Completed)
- FEMA Training: Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS-100 – Completed)
- Proficient in various geophysical software, including SurfSeis, GPR-Slice, Res2dInv, GeoScene3D and others
- Proficient in ESRI Arc suite and QGIS
- Proficient in MATLAB, C++, Javascript; experience with SQL, Visual Basic, Arduino (esp. Uno)
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Access, Publisher, Word, Powerpoint)
- Conversational in Spanish and Amharic (Ethiopia)
- Experience with various community facilitation methods
