Chris Catalano
Blasting/Explosives Industry Professional & Consultant, State Regulatory Official (Pennsylvania),
Author of Christian Fiction and Non-fiction, Geospatial Science and Technology Major
"I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which
God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in." -- George Washington Carver
Current Academics
My ultimate goal is to work within a scientific discipline known as geobiology. Geobiology is the study of how physical environments affect life and conversely how life affects environments. This has applications across a wide variety of personal research interests and my professional work. The progression of academics begins with an Associate's Degree in Geospatial Science and Technology with additional coursework in geology.
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I am currently enrolled in the Geospatial Science and Technology A.S. program at HACC in York, Pennsylvania and am a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Upon completion of this phase of my education I plan to transfer to Millersville University of Pennsylvania to continue my studies in their Environmental Science program with minors in geology and biology.
Areas of Particular Interest
REGULATIONS FOR THE COMMERCIAL USE OF BLASTING AND EXPLOSIVES IN SPACE ENVIRONMENTS
I have worked in the blasting and explosives industry for over 24 years both as a professional blaster and as a regulatory official. I also have a passion for space science and exploration. Any real effort humanity makes to harness the resources found in non-terrestrial environments will require new and specialized technologies for accessing and harvesting the natural resources found there. Working with explosives in these environments will require the development of highly specialized products, methods, and regulations.
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BLASTING AND EXPLOSIVES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
In the years I have worked in the blasting and explosives industry I have developed a keen interest in several areas of study, such as: focusing of seismic waves and air overpressure, the effect of blasting vibration and gasses on wetlands and other wildlife, vibration frequency change over distance and its application in improving prediction equations, and the development of new blasting agents from mined materials, and structural response in buildings that are not built using typical components.
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THE RECOVERY OF ENVIRONMENTS FOLLOWING CATASTROPHE
I am very interested in understanding how environments recover and life is re-established following natural catastrophic events, such as floods, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes. This also has application to understanding the recovery of environments following disturbance from mining activities. This area of study includes understanding the adaptation of species in radically changing environments, such as sudden changes in ocean salinity, wide-ranging temperature fluctuations, and excessively wet and dry periods.
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INTEGRATED RECREATIONAL ENVIRONMENTS
I love to travel, vacation, and explore, so as I think about humanity heading out into the solar system for extended periods of time, I recognize that those intrepid souls will lack one essential thing I believe humans need: the opportunity to rest, relax, and recharge in environments that approximate natural earth environments. That will be hard to do in places where there are no beaches, hiking trails, and fresh air. I believe an integral part of long-term human survival on a world such as Mars will require adequate opportunities to recreate earth-like recreational environments.
Academic Papers and Presentations
Blasting Beyond Blast-off (PDF)
A technical analytical research report examining the use of blasting and explosives in Martian and lunar environments for construction and accessing natural resources. Topics include methods, equipment, and future regulations.
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Soils Suitability Analysis of Ketner Valley, Jones Twp., Pennsylvania (PDF)
A technical environmental geology poster presentation examining soil suitability and land use for the defunct Ketner Dam area of Jones Twp., Pennsylvania near the town of Wilcox.
Education and Training Already Completed
Clarion University of Pennsylvania, 1995-1996​
Started a double-major program consisting of a combination of Chemistry and Technical Theater. While in school I was able to begin an apprenticeship in the explosives industry and obtained my state blasting certification in 1996. This alone fulfilled the first major requirement needed for my goal of working in the special effects industry.
C-1 Professional Driving School, ​2000
In 2000 I temporarily moved to Indianapolis, IN to attend a school to obtain my CDL-A for commercial driving. This is a second requirement for working with explosives and other hazardous materials. I completed the training in the same year.
Chippewa Valley Technical College Professional Defensive Driving Program, ​2000
Following completion of my CDL-A training in Indianapolis I went to work in Marshfield, WI to work for a company hauling freight nation-wide. Job qualification required completion of a defensive driving and skid pad course at the Chippewa Valley Technical College. Training was successfully completed in the same year.
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Harrisburg Area Community College, 2019 - Present
​Currently enrolled in the Physical Science A.S. Program at H.A.C.C. This is a transfer associate program intended to provide all the necessary requirements to transfer to Millersville University of Pennsylvania's Environmental Geology Program where I plan to minor in Biology. Projected completion date is Spring 2022.