ALUMNI NEWSLETTER - Earth Sciences - University of Minnesota

More documents

Recommendations

Info

$X-ray Diffraction (XRD) - Limnological Research Center$

Honors and AwardsJake Bailey received an NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award,which supports junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars throughoutstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education andresearch within the context of the mission of their organizations.Larry Edwards was elected as a National Academy of Sciences Fellow in 2011. Thedepartment is honored to have three NAS Fellows among the faculty, Larry, DavidKohlstedt (2009) and Herb Wright (1977).The National Academy of Sciences selected Larry Edwards to receive theprestigious Arthur L. Day Prize and Lectureship honoring his scientific contributionsto the study of the physics of the Earth. Larry is only the 14th recipient of theDay Prize since its inception in 1972 and the first from the University of Minnesota.He is best known for his development of extremely precise methods for measuringthe ages of rocks, using these methods to date rocks found in caves in China todocument climate change patterns in history.The American Associate for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) selected LarryEdwards and David Kohlstedt as 2012 AAAS Fellows.Our two junior faculty members, Josh Feinberg and Jake Bailey, were awardedMcKnight Land-Grant Professorships for 2012-14 and 2013-15, respectively. Thisprogram is designed to strengthen University of Minnesota faculty members forthe future and to advance the careers of the University’s most promising juniorfaculty members.Marc Hirschmann, Tom Johnson (UofM-Duluth), and Bill Seyfried were electedas Fellows of AGU in 2011.Chris Paola was honored by theGeological Society of London withtheir 2011 Lyell Medal, named forperhaps the 19 th Century’s most influentialEarth scientist, Sir CharlesLyell. Chris’ research was citedfor stretching from the dynamicsof bedforms and braided rivers toquantitative understanding of largescalestratigraphic sequences acrossentire sedimentary basins; distillingessential simplicity from the rich and complex brew of nature’s complexity. Hiswork has not only been of academic importance – it has also impinged cruciallyupon petroleum geology, river hydrology and engineering.Tony Runkel (BS’83), MGS Chief Geologist and Adjunct Professor, has appearedon TPT’s Almanac at the Capital and other news reports explaining the value ofMinnesota’s sand for the hot topic process of ‘fracking’.Martin Saar was named a 2011 Institute on the Environment Fellow. The University’sIonE pursues research-based solutions to global grand challenges in five keyareas: energy, food and land use, freshwater, population and development, andwhole systems. Also in 2011 Martin received the College of Science and EngineeringCareer Development Award in recognition of exceptional contributions toteaching by a candidate for tenure. Martin was successfully promoted to AssociateProfessor with tenure.Donna Whitney and Marc Hirschmann were selected as Distinguished McKnightUniversity Professors, in 2010 and 2011 respectively. These professorshipsare elected based on the level of distinction their scholarly work brings to theOn November 1, 2012, University ofMinnesota School of Earth Science founderNewton Horace Winchell was inductedinto the Minnesota Science and TechnologyHall of Fame by the Minnesota HighTech Association (MHTA) and the ScienceMuseum of Minnesota.The Hall of Fame web site (www.msthalloffame.org) now indicates “NewtonHorace Winchell was one of the mostrenowned natural scientists in Minnesotain the late nineteenth century. As the firstdirector of the Geological and Natural HistorySurvey of Minnesota, now known asthe Minnesota Geological Survey, Winchellwas responsible for many pioneering studiesof Minnesota geology. He also studiedand estimated the rate of recession of theFalls of St. Anthony. Winchell was morebroadly known among archaeologistsfor his insistence on the presence of earlyhumans in the Ice Age.”The induction occurred at the galaTekne Awards ceremony at the MinneapolisConvention Center. The MinnesotaScience and Technology Hall of Fame isnow featured in an exhibit at the ScienceMuseum of Minnesota. The Tekne Awardshonor companies, innovations and individualswith technological breakthroughsthat positively impact the lives and futuresof people living in Minnesota and all overthe world.Margaret Anderson Kelliher, presidentof MHTA, said “The 2012 recipients epitomizetechnology and innovation leadership.”The gala evening was hosted byDon Shelby, and Winchell was representedby Harvey Thorleifson – Professor in theDepartment and Winchell’s successor asMinnesota Geological Survey Director.Page 6Department of Earth Sciences
university; the merit of their achievements and the potential forgreater attainment in the field; the dimension of their nationalor international reputation; the extent to which their intellectualwork and reputation are identified with Minnesota; the quality oftheir teaching and advising; and their contributions to the broadercommunity.Robert Johnson (Adjunct Professor) andJaney Westin published in 2012 The LastKings of Norse-America – Runestone Keys toa Lost Empire.Olga Zoltai received the 2012 Immigrantof Distinction Award from the Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter of the American ImmigrationLawyers Association. The awardhonors immigrants who have made substantialcontributions to their communitiesor professions through exceptional leadership,high achievement, or moral courage. Olga exemplifies howtreating immigrants with dignity strengthens our moral fabric andbrings our country great financial benefits.NSF Graduate Fellowships:Brandi Cron, Advisor: Brandy TonerKatherine Fornash, Advisors: Christian Teyssier andDonna WhitneyLaura Vietti, Advisors: David Fox, Ray Rogers, andJake BaileyGraduate School Fellowships:2010-11 Chris CrosbyRoxanne Renedo2011-12 Katherine FornashChristie Villanueva2012-13 Giselle CondeGraduate School Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships:2010-11 Amanda DillmanAndrew LuhmannJimmy RandolphBrooke White2011-12 Dylan BlumnetrittBen Stanley2012-13 Anna LindquistAntoinette Abeyta, PhD student working with Chris Paola, receivedan Outstanding Student Paper Award at the Fall 2012 AGUmeeting.Chris Spencer, PhD candidate working with Dave Yuen, receivedan NSF Summer Fellowship to work in Beijing on cyber-infrastructure.Three Outstanding Service Awards were made to departmentalsupport staff in 2012. Mark Griffith, departmental machinist andPillsbury Hall manager, beyond his normal duties, worked hard toensure renovations needed to accommodate the new XRCT weredone in a timely and efficient manner. There were many unforeseenproblems associated with the installation. Mark’s concernwent even as far as having foam protective layers placed in therock cabinets to keep the samples safe during their move in andout of the hallway in preparation for the big move-in day. SharonKressler, our student services specialist, always goes well aboveand beyond her job duties assisting students and faculty alike,especially challenging now in light of the changes in proceduresand official requirements brought on by the closing of the GraduateSchool. Kathy Ohler, our departmental administrator, makessure everything functions smoothly in the department in assistingthe head and the faculty. Her hard-earned knowledge of how theUniversity works helps ensure things get done properly and efficiently.One of her many skills is putting the newsletter togetherin a highly professional manner. Kathy and Sharon together makea formidable pair. They were absolutely key in making the GSADinner in October 2011 such a success. The slide show Sharonput together for the event can still be viewed on our departmentwebsite.Birthday celebrations:Dave Yuen celebratedhis 63rd birthday whilein China and OlafPfannkuch marked his80th birthday with friendsand colleagues in theWinchell Reading Room.Alumni NewsletterPage 7
Page 1 and 2: College of Science and EngineeringN
Page 3 and 4: Bacterial Polyphosphate Metabolism-
Page 5: Varanasi Rama Murthy (1933-2012)Ram
Page 9 and 10: New Lab Managers: X-ray Computed To
Page 11 and 12: Xenolith site on Mauna Kea.hike alo
Page 13 and 14: New State Bedrock Geologic MapThe M
Page 15 and 16: Robert A. Berg Scholarship*Jo F. Be
Page 17 and 18: Fellowship and scholarship support
Page 19 and 20: Degrees Granted 2010-12Graduate Deg
Page 21 and 22: the excavation by removing overburd
Page 23 and 24: GeoClub Continues to Thriveby Katie
Page 25 and 26: eing used. In addition to the above
Page 27 and 28: Ravi Appana, MS 2009, has been work

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER - Earth Sciences - University of Minnesota

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?