University of Maryland, University College - AA, General Studies

Elizabeth City State University - BS, Geology and BS, Computer and Information Science (Summa Cum Laude)

University of Texas, Austin - MS, Geoscience (Exploration Geophysics). Graduate Fellowship for Exploration Geophysics

Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing Center (RMOTC) - Summer, 2001.

Sharon received the Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship for 2001. For three months, she interned at RMOTC in Casper, Wyoming. Here, she learned about GPS, fracture mapping, grabens, faults, petroleum geology, alternative fuel sources and much more. This time helped convince Sharon that she should consider graduate work in petroleum exploration. During this internship, she co-authored, presented and published EVALUATION OF FRACTURES FOR FUTURE OIL PRODUCTION IN THE STEELE SHALE: NAVAL PETROLEUM RESERVE NO. 3, TEAPOT DOME, WYOMING. She traveled to Washington, D.C., during this internship and met several high-ranking federal enery officials.

Minerals Management Service (MMS) - Summer, 2002.

After attending Geology Field Camp (6 weeks in New Mexico and Colorado), she relocated to New Orleans and worked for MMS. MMS, a bureau within the Department of Interior, regulates and manages the development of mineral resources in the Federal waters off the nation's shores. Sharon's job was to analyze an offshore field for production potential using well logs, seismic and other data. During this time, she worked with geophysicists and showed she had an aptitude for high-level mathematics. Although she enjoyed the job, Sharon did not like staying in a dormitory at Tulane University. She did, however, have an opportunity to do some genealogy research and attend her first NFL game (a pre-season match-up between the new Houston Texans and the New Orleans Saints).

Teaching Assistant, Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) - Spring, 2003.

After graduation from ECSU, Sharon accepted a position as a Teaching Assistant (TA) in the Geology department. She taught the lab portions of Introduction to Geology (Rocks for Jocks!). As the TA, she was responsible for setting up all class materials, running the labs, grading homework and test assignments, and providing extra instruction for students who requested more information. During this time, Sharon helped influence other students to consider majoring in geosciences.

ConocoPhillips - Summer, 2004.

Sharon spent the summer working as a Geophysicist, gaining experience in deep-water exploration. Additionally, she helped the company evaluate and test new, cutting-edge software developed exclusively for ConocoPhillips. Although the specific details are proprietary, this experience fit nicely with her graduate work. She really enjoyed the time in Houston and, the best part, she got to come home every weekend.

University of Texas, Austin - 2004-2005.

In addition to working diligently on her thesis and attending numerous courses in mathematics, geology, and geophysics, she re-designed the Graduate Student Executive Committe website, performed as a Teaching Assistant in geophysics, and improved the website for the Exploration Geophysics Program at UT-Austin. During this time, Sharon gained experience in many aspects of the geophysics and Information Technology (IT) fields.

Published in the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy, Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship Technical Forum Proceedings, Washington, DC, August 8-9, 2001; page 100 - 110; " EVALUATION OF FRACTURES FOR FUTURE OIL PRODUCTION IN THE STEELE SHALE: NAVAL PETROLEUM RESERVE NO. 3, TEAPOT DOME, WYOMING ", co-authored with Casie Davidson (Central Washington University).

Undergraduate paper on Albian Stratigraphy Central Texas.

Undergraduate paleontology paper on the Devonian Mass Extinction.

Master Thesis "SEISMIC AVO RESPONSE TO VARIATIONS IN SANDSTONE RESERVOIR PROPERTIES AND PREDICTION OF RESERVOIR QUALITY" December 2005. Available at the University of Texas at Austin Geology Library. Abstract describes the thesis.