GSA James B. Thompson, Jr. Distinguished International Lectureship

The lecture tours are made possible through a gift to the GSA Foundation by James B. Thompson, Jr., whose bequest contributed to the endowment of two lecture tours by distinguished geologists, one a non-North American scientist to tour academic and related institutions within North America, and the other a North American scientist to tour foreign universities and geological institutions. Both tours are arranged under the guidance of GSA International.

Nominations for 2026-2027

The deadline for nominations is 15 February each year. We are currently accepting nominations for 2026-2027 (self-nominations welcome).

Nominate

GSA International seeks nominations for distinguished geoscience speakers for the 2026-2027 GSA James B. Thompson, Jr. Distinguished International Lecturer. Nominations are being accepted for two dynamic speakers of established scientific stature who can present stimulating and cutting edge geoscience research for one or two tours each. The nominee/s may be either living outside of North America and be able to lecture at North American institutions. Or the nominee/s may be living within North America and be able to lecture outside of N. America on topic/s that are at the forefront of research in order to raise visibility for The Geological Society of America within the international geoscience community.

GSA James B. Thompson, Jr., Distinguished International Lecturers

The award is made possible through a gift to the GSA Foundation by James B. Thompson, Jr., whose bequest contributed to the endowment of two lecture tours by distinguished geologists, one a non-North American scientist to tour academic and related institutions within North America, and the other a North American scientist to tour foreign universities and geological institutions. Both tours are arranged under the guidance of GSA International.

Maria Rose Petrizzo, Inbound James B. Thompson, Jr. Distinguished International Lecturer, 2025–2026

Closeup of Maria Petrizzo

Professor Maria Rose Petrizzo is the Inbound James B. Thompson, Jr. Distinguished International Lecturer for 2025–2026.

Professor Petrizzo is a Professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Milan, Italy, where she also earned her MS and PhD. She previously served as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Her teaching focuses on micropaleontology, stratigraphic paleontology, and sedimentary geology, and she has supervised more than 70 undergraduate and graduate students.

A specialist in micropaleontology and stratigraphy, her research centers on planktonic foraminifera as indicators of environmental and climatic change and on integrated stratigraphy to refine the Geological Time Scale. She has participated in drilling projects in Tanzania and in International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) expeditions in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Professor Petrizzo has authored more than 120 peer-reviewed papers and several manuals on foraminiferal research. She currently serves as Vice President of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS, 2024–2028), Editor-in-Chief of Cretaceous Research, and Board Director of the Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research. She also contributes to several international editorial boards and scientific committees.

Read Citation and Response

Kathleen Benison, Outbound James B. Thompson, Jr. Distinguished International Lecturer, 2025–2026

Closeup of Kathleen Benison

Professor Kathleen Benison is the Outbound James B. Thompson, Jr. Distinguished International Lecturer for 2025–2026.

Professor Benison is a sedimentary geologist and educator at West Virginia University, where she teaches geology, geochemistry, and planetary science. She earned her BS in Geology and Chemistry from Bridgewater State College, her MA in Geology from Binghamton University, and her PhD in Geology from the University of Kansas.

Her research focuses on the geology, geochemistry, and microbiology of salt minerals, particularly those forming in acid salt lakes. She uses fluid inclusions in halite and gypsum to reconstruct ancient environments, climates, and potential habitats for life on Earth and Mars.

Professor Benison served as a Return Sample Selection–Participating Scientist for NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance rover mission, and previously as Science Editor for Geology. She is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America and The Explorers Club, and has been recognized for her contributions to advancing planetary and sedimentary geoscience research.

Read Citation and Response

About the Award, Tour Dates, and How to Nominate

Learn More