Nov 27, 2025
SZNet for Global Science
SZNet, the international collaboration component of SZ4D, has many activities lined up for 2026. Stay tuned!
International Pilot Projects
Both teams for the upcoming Cascadia and Chile pilot projects have begun planning their trips.
2026 Cascadia Pilot Project
In October 2025, the Cascadia Pilot Project team leaders scouted field locations near Mount Hood: read about their trip.
We’re excited to announce that the application to participate in this pilot project will open in January 2026!
Learn more | 2026 Cascadia Pilot Project
2027 Chile Pilot Project
The Chile pilot project will occur in 2027, but the field leaders will be scouting the field locations in March 2026. This trip intends to investigate the geodynamic processes and surface hazards associated with the latitudinal transition from the flat‐ slab subduction segment (27°–33° S) to the normal subduction regime south of 33° S in the Southern Central Andes. Starting in Uspallata, Argentina and ending in Termas el Corazón with many stops along the way, this trip will bing together both US and non-US scientists at a variety of career stages interested in cross-disciplinary approaches to researching subduction systems.
Learn more | 2027 Chile Pilot Project
US & Chile Exchange Program
Applications for the 2026 US & Chile Exchange Program are now closed. The Exchange Program subcommittee met in October to review all submissions, and we received an impressive 30 applications this year. Thanks to savings in program costs from previous years, we are delighted to support six participants in 2026 - an increase from five in past cycles.
The selection process was highly competitive, and the review subcommittee ultimately chose six outstanding applicants with exciting, well-developed project ideas. You can meet the new cohort below and learn more about their upcoming exchange experiences on the program webpage.
Learn more | Meet the 2026 cohort
Hannah Spero (University of Notre Dame) hosted by Joaquin Moris (Universidad Católica del Norte )
Samuel Anderson (USDA) hosted by Lester Olivares (Universidad Católica del Maule)
Camila Poblete González (Universidad de Concepción) hosted by Peter Barry (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
Luke Gezovich (Colorado School of Mines) hosted by Tania Villaseñor (Universidad Católica de Chile)
Valeria Becerra-Carreño (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile) hosted by Roland Burgmann (University of California, Berkeley )
Verónica Gaete Elgueta (University of Washington) hosted by Sergio Ruiz (Universidad de Chile)
2025 Program Participants
Our fourth early career researcher from the 2025 US & Chile Exchange Program returned from her trip earlier this month. Micaela Villaroel (Universidad de Chile), a grad student studying volcanology, hydrothermal systems, volcanic fluids, and geochemistry, traveled to the US to work with Dr. Philipp Ruprecht at the University of Nevada, Reno. Learn more about her project and experience in this program below
Learn more | Read about the experiences of our Exchange Program participants
Meet Micaela Villaroel Barreno
About Micaela’s research project
My research project focuses on a volcanic caldera in the southern Andes of Chile, a system characterized by a prominent and complex hydrothermal network. The goal of my doctoral research is to understand the dynamics of this hydrothermal system and its relationship with nearby volcanic centers. Within this context, I conducted the research exchange in the US from October to November 2025, under the supervision of Dr. Philipp Ruprecht at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR).
During my stay in Reno, I engaged in a wide range of academic and professional development activities. The primary objective of my exchange was to perform Electron Microprobe Analyses (EMPA) on petrographic samples from my study area. This required intensive laboratory training, during which I became familiar with analytical procedures, instrument calibration, and data quality control. By the end of the four-week exchange, I had successfully completed all scheduled analyses, obtaining high-quality datasets and microimages that will substantially contribute to my doctoral research. These results will be further discussed with Dr. Philipp to strengthen the overall scientific interpretation of the project.
Beyond the laboratory work, one of the most enriching aspects of the exchange was participating in the weekly reading meetings of the UNR Volcano Group. These sessions enabled me to learn from Philipp and his students, engage in scientific discussions, and gain valuable perspectives on diverse topics in volcanic and petrological research. Additionally, Dr. Philipp invited me to join several field trips in Reno and the surrounding areas. My favorite experience was participating in the Sierra Nevada petrology field trip with Philipp’s class, which significantly enhanced my understanding of magma intrusive and extrusive processes. Exploring Yosemite National Park and Mono Lake provided exceptional real-world examples of geological features that deepened many of the volcanological concepts central to my research.
The SZNet Chile–US Exchange Program was a highly valuable experience that strengthened my academic development, improved my analytical and geological skills, and expanded my professional network in volcanology. It represents an important step forward in my scientific career and will continue to influence my future research.
