Faculty Profiles

Lisa Heidlauf is an Adjunct Geology Instructor at Wheaton College in the Geology and Environmental Science Department, having joined the department in 1998. During her graduate work at the University of Illinois, with support from an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, she studied the diagenesis of oolitic sediments. Following her graduate work in geology, Lisa completed additional coursework in secondary science education at Northern Illinois University and received her Illinois teaching license with an earth science endorsement. As an undergraduate geology major at Smith College, Lisa spent a year and a half as part of a research team exploring the relationship between surface water chemistry and surficial geology of lakes in the Adirondacks.  

Lisa is passionate about introducing students to the wonders of God's creation in both the laboratory and outdoor setting and enjoys teaching multiple sections of lab for Dynamic Earth and Environment, our introductory course for non-majors. She especially loves witnessing the transformation that occurs as students wrestle with the rigors of science, many of them experiencing a laboratory-based science course for the first time. Additionally, she cares deeply about the integration of faith and science and encourages students to ask questions while they are exploring geology and environmental science through the lens of biblical faith.  

When she is not at work or spending time with her husband, her adult children, and her grandchildren, Lisa enjoys hiking, running, swimming, kayaking, reading, collecting rocks, and traveling to places of geologic interest with her husband David, a Wheaton College geology graduate.

University of Illinois
M.S., Geology, 1986 

Smith College
A.B., Geology, 1983, summa cum laude with Highest Honors in Geology 

Northern Illinois University
Received Illinois Secondary Teaching License with Earth Science Endorsement, 1988 

Courses regularly taught 

• GEOL/ENVR 212L – Dynamic Earth and Environment Lab 

Additional courses taught 

• GEOL 211 – Dynamic Earth 
• GEOL 211L – Dynamic Earth Lab