Niah works as an administrator at the Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education. Her professional experience managing a State Park in Wisconsin gave her the skills needed to assist Linda Harrison with the day-to-day operations of the core lab facility. Niah also helps MGRRE faculty and staff with data management, research and outreach activities. These include creating and maintaining databases of archived core and well information, technology transfer, and K-12 Geosciences outreach. Her past work with the public in Forestry and Parks prepared her for the outreach activities she assists with, and her work as a technical writer prepared her for managing multiple databases and generating reports and files for lab customers.

Niah completed a Master of Science degree in Earth Science at Western Michigan University in 2006. Her research focused on the sedimentology and stratigraphy of the Saginaw bedrock aquifer. She used both GIS mapping and Petra geological software in her research and now applies these skills to support faculty and staff projects such as those related to carbon sequestration feasibility.

Niah is a mother of two and has put up with her wonderful husband for over a decade. She enjoys spending time with her family, especially in the great outdoors. She also loves being able to help people with their research projects and information needs at a facility like the MGRRE.

You can reach Niah at (269) 387-8633 or at niah.venable@wmich.edu.