Brittani McNamee

Associate Professor of Environmental Studies

Contact Information

  • bmcnamee@unca.edu
  • 350-4554
  • 140 Rhoades/Robinson Hall

Office Hours

  • Monday 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
  • Wednesday 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
  • Note:

 

Bio

Dr. McNamee teaches courses in mineralogy/petrology, environmental geology, and physical geology.  Her research integrates a variety of analytical instruments and methods to identify and characterize minerals including the polarizing light microscope, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer, electron microprobe, and Raman spectroscopy.  Her current research relates to various deposits in North Carolina state park and forest lands, the North American Emerald Mine, and talc products and deposit tailings from the Gouverneur Mining District in New York.  Her other academic interests are in geoeducation, to develop earth science activities for K-12 and higher education students that use online databases, analytical instrumentation, and virtual reality.

Education

  • B.S.  New Mexico State University
  • Ph.D.  University of Idaho

Courses Taught

  • ENVR 105  Physical Geology
  • ENVR 271  Microscopy
  • ENVR 282  Environmental Geology
  • ENVR 310  Economic Geology
  • ENVR 320  Mineralogy and Petrology

Recent Publications

  • McNamee, B.D. and A.J. Celestian. [2018].  "Integrated optical, Micro-Raman, and compositional analysis of rock samples from former talc mines in the Gourverneur Mining District, New York."  THE MICROSCOPE  66[2]: 51-68.
  • McNamee, B.D.  [2018].  Cover image.  THE MICROSCOPE  66[2].
  • McNamee, B.D., M.E. Gunter, and C. Viti. [2015].  "Asbestiform talc from a talc mine near Talcville, New York, USA:  Composition, morphology, and genetic relationships with amphiboles." CANADIAN MINERALOGIST  53[6]: 1-13.
  • McNamee, B.D., and M.E. Gunter.  [2014].  'Compositional analysis and morphological relationships of amphiboles, talc, and other minerals found in the talc deposits from the Gouverneur Mining District, New York [Part 2 of 2].  THE MICROSCOPE  62[1]: 3-13.
  • McNamee, B.D. and M.E. Gunter.  [2014].  MINERALOGY AND OPTICAL MINERALOGY LABORATORY MANUAL.  Open Access Publications--Mineralogical Society of America, June 30, 2014.  Web publication.
  • McNamee, B.D. and M.E. Gunter.  [2013].  "Compositional analysis and morphological relationships of amphiboles, talc, and other minerals found in the talc deposits from the Gouverneur Mining District, New York [Part 1 of 2].  THE MICROSCOPE  61[4]:147-161.
  • Thompson [McNamee], B.D., M.E. Gunter, M.A. Wilson.  [2011].  "Amphibole Asbestos soil contamination in the USA:  A matter of definition."  AMERICAN MINERALOGIST  96[4]:690-693.

Recent Presentations

  • McNamee, B.D. and A.J. Celestian.  [2018].  "Integrated optical, Micro-Raman, and compositional analysis of rock samples from former talc mines in the Gouverneur Mining District, New York."  Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, IN.  November 4, 2018.  Presentation.
  • McNamee, B.D. and Boggert, K.  [2018].  "Gaining perspective with Google Earth Virtual reality in an introduction-level Physical Geology course."  Geological Society of Anerica Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, IN.  November 7, 2018.  Poster.
  • Evans. C.* and B.D. McNamee.  [2018].  "Investigation of Ti bearing and Non-Ti bearing biotites coexisting in metapelite schists from Mount Mitchell, North Carolina."  Presented at Southeastern Geological Society of America Meeting, Knoxville, TN.  April 12, 2017.  Poster.
  • McNamee, B.D. and J. Perkins.  [2017].  "Multidisciplinary microscopy course for undergraduate research students in the Natural Sciences."  Southeastern Geological Society of America Meeting, Richmond, VA.  March 31, 2017.  Presented by McNamee.
  • Daniels, M.*, B. Governo*, and B.D. McNamee.  [2017].  "Identification of minerals in sulfide body within granite host at North Buncombe Quarry in Western North Carolina.  Southeastern Geological Society of America Meeting, Richmond, VA.  March 30, 2017.  Poster.
  • Coburn, A.* and B.D. McNamee. [2016].  "Mineralogical studies of medium to high grade metamorphic rocks at Mount Mitchell State Park, North Carolina, USA."  Southeastern Geological Society of America Meeting, Columbia, SC.  April 1, 2016.  Poster.
  • Gunter, M.E., M.E. Buzon, and B.D. McNamee. [2016].  "Current issues with purported 'asbestos' content of talc ores."  Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ.  Presentation given by Marian E. Buzon.
  • McNamee, B.D., M.E. Gunter, and C. Viti.  [2015].   "Compositional and morphological analyses of tailing from a talc mine from the Gouverneur Mining District of New York."  Sigma Xi-Asheville Chapter Monthly Meeting, Warren Wilson College, Black Mountain, NC.  October 7, 2015.
  • Hahn, R.* and B.D. McNamee.  [2015]. "A database of industrial mineral based on optical properties:  A guide to the North Carolina State University's Mineral Research Lab."  Southeastern Geological Society of America Meeting, Chattanooga, TN.  March 20, 2015.  Poster, presented by Rebecca Hahn.
  • Rose, T.* and B.D. McNamee.  [2015].  "Analysis of dust for mineral content from locations within Buncombe County, North Carolina."  Southeastern Geological Society of America Meeting, Chattanooga, TN.  March 20, 2015.  Poster, presented by Brittani McNamee.
  • McNamee, B.D. and M.E. Gunter.  [2014].  "Evaluating the distribution of minerals listed as Group One human carcinogens across the conterminous United States."  Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Geological Society of America, Vancouver, Canada.  October 20, 2014.  Poster, presented by Mickey E. Gunter.

*indicates student researcher