Elected by Council — May 2024

Society Fellowship is an honor bestowed on the best of our profession by election at the spring GSA Council meeting. GSA members are nominated by other GSA members in recognition of a sustained record of distinguished contributions to the geosciences and the Geological Society of America through such avenues as publications, applied research, teaching, administration of geological programs, contributing to the public awareness of geology, leadership of professional organizations, and taking on editorial, bibliographic, and library responsibilities.

What their nominators had to say …

Gregory S. Baker (Colorado Mesa University): Dr Greg Baker has advanced techniques in imaging, from shallow seismic reflection to the use of drones. His publication record is extensive and his grantsmanship is impressive. He conveys his enthusiasm to his students in a teaching career that has spanned three decades, through which he has recruited scores of geoscientists and provided them first rate geoscience education. His record is rich with innovation and myriad efforts to include under-represented peoples. Dr Baker is a credit to the GSA and our profession. —Dr. Patrick Albert Burkhart

Timothy Beach (University of Texas at Austin): Dr. Timothy Beach’s significant interdisciplinary contributions include early work on post-settlement erosion and sedimentation in America; reconstructing ancient Maya history in Central America; and models explaining the formation and human uses of wetlands. A champion of geoscience education, Beach inspired and mentored countless students toward successful careers, especially under-represented students. —Anne Chin

Patricia Bobeck: Patricia Bobeck is nominated for most meritorious service to her profession by her translating from French, two fundamental reports by: Henry Darcy, The Public Fountains of the City of Dijon, (orig pub. 1856), and Abbé Jean-Baptiste Paramelle, The Art of Finding Springs, (orig pub. 1856), as well as other translations. —Gareth J. Davies

Dan Breecker (University of Texas): We are nominating Dr. Breecker in recognition of his sustained scientific achievement through discovery and development of new applications and an impressive record of training and mentoring geoscientists. —Neil J. Tabor

Erick R. Burns (U.S. Geological Survey): Dr. Erick R. Burns is nominated to GSA Fellowship for his fundamental contributions to understanding heat flow in groundwater systems, machine learning applications for resource favorability mapping, development of assessment tools for low-temperature and underground energy resources, and his leadership for the U.S. Geological Survey geothermal resources investigations project. —Hongbin Zhan

Michael Cardiff (UW-Madison): Professor Cardiff has strong record of scientific achievement - both for the theoretical and applied geosciences. He also has an impressive record of mentoring the next generation of geoscientist. It is clear to me and my co-nominators that Dr. Michael Cardiff not only meets the requirements, but he also exemplifies many of the characteristics that we look to in a GSA Fellow. —Dr. Randy Hunt

Sara Carena (Ludwig-Maximilians University): For sustained achievement in training and mentoring of geoscientists, pioneering work on virtual teaching tools including field trips and 3D visualization, and scientific discovery in structural geology and active tectonics improving understanding of plate-boundary zone mechanics. —Anke M. Friedrich

Robinson Cecil (CSU-Northridge): Dr. Robinson Cecil has made outstanding contributions to the study of the genesis and tempos of Cordilleran batholiths and magmatism related to subduction initiation. Her dedication to GSA includes convening technical sessions, participating in critical committees, and, together with her students, attending and presenting research at our meetings. —Nancy Riggs

Thomas H. Darrah (The Ohio State University): Dr. Thomas H. Darrah (The Ohio State University): Tom Darrah is a geochemist with an outstanding record of achievement in research around the environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing, gases in the Earth’s crust, geology and health, and an innovative spirit that has led to the discovery of geological hydrocarbon as novel new source of energy. —Frank W. Schwartz

Gregg R. Davidson (University of Mississippi): Dr. Gregg R. Davidson (University of Mississippi): Gregg Davidson is recognized for his outstanding research on the carbon isotope composition of soil and shallow groundwater and hydrogeologic studies of the Mississippi River alluvial aquifer system, as well as public outreach at the intersection of science and Christian faith. —Daniel Larsen

Rhawn F. Denniston (Cornell College): Rhawn Denniston has made outstanding contributions to the field of paleoclimatology using records of stalagmites and corals and published in impactful journals including Science Advances, Geology and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. He has also placed large numbers of Cornell College undergraduate advisees in top graduate programs. —Matthew R. Saltzman

Richard E. Ernst (Carleton University): Richard Ernst is a driving force in research of “Large Igneous Provinces.” He applies lessons learned from Earth to other planetary bodies (Moon, Mars, Venus) and has pioneered applications of LIPs degassing to climate change. He is a generous mentor, colleague, and supporter of the geological community, including the GSA. —Timothy W. Lyons

Rebecca Marie Flowers (University of Colorado): From the carving of Grand Canyon to the development of Great Unconformities, Rebecca Flowers’ studies linking geology and thermochronology have revealed unexpected and rich details to the history of the continents. She has catalyzed growth in thermochronology through developing the AGeS program, expanding access to data, and successful mentoring. —Francis A. Macdonald

Christopher A. Gellasch (Eastern Michigan University): Dr. Christopher Gellasch has performed substantial and exemplary service to GSA and to the training and mentoring of youth and young and early career geoscientists. Through his volunteer efforts and his professional accomplishments, Dr. Gellasch has shown himself to be an exemplary representative of the geoscience community. —Christopher P. Carlson

David A. Grimley (University of Illinois (ISGS)): A GSA member since 1992, David Grimley's expertise in loess, fly ash, terrestrial gastropods, stratigraphic framework, and geologic mapping helps lead the Illinois State Geological Survey in its Quaternary studies. Dave enjoys collaborating with and supporting early career, underrepresented geoscientists, as well as mentoring numerous undergraduate and graduate students. —Ben Curry

Don A. Haas (The Paleontological Research Institution): Don Haas has made significant contributions for more than two decades in advancing geoscience education in K-12, science teacher education, and informal science environments. He is a keen advocate for climate change education, innovator in virtual geology instruction, and a driver of education policy for understanding of the Earth system. —Eric J. Pyle

Mark A. Helper (University of Texas at Austin): Dr. Mark Helper has had indelible impact on hundreds of students over 32 years of teaching and directing the Jackson School of Geosciences field camp. He has made outstanding contributions to modern NASA astronaut training in geology, which will directly benefit our future exploration of the Moon and Mars. —Dr. Claudia I. Mora

Linda A. Hinnov (George Mason University): Professor Linda Hinnov is an international leader in astrochronology, and a pioneer of quantitative cyclostratigraphic analysis. Her career, spanning three decades and over 150 publications, has guided both practical and theoretical developments in the field, shepherding the growth of astrochronology as an essential tool for the state-of-the-art geologic time scale. —Stephen R. Meyers

David S. Jones (Amherst College): David S. Jones is a sedimentary geologist who examines the sedimentary record over critical time periods when Earth’s climate and biota changed markedly, including when mass extinctions occurred. He has made significant contributions in original research and as an educator by mentoring future earth scientists. —Tekla A. Harms

Daniel Jones (New Mexico Tech): Dr. Daniel Jones is a geobiologist who studies the influence of microbial metabolisms on mineralogical and biogeochemical processes, crossing disciplinary boundaries between biology and geosciences. His support and promotion of the work of students and early career geoscientists is helping to build the future of the Geological Society of America. —Lewis Land

Matthew Kirk (Kansas State University): Matthew Kirk is an outstanding teaching scholar, passionate about environmental sciences and the pursuit of diversity, equity and inclusion. He is a leader in service to GSA and the profession and renowned for his interdisciplinary research on topics ranging from arsenic contamination in groundwater to microbial generation of natural gas. —Pamela D. Kempton

Craig Lundstrom (University of Illinois): Craig has advanced understanding of igneous processes through impactful and creative research that combines experimentation, isotopic measurements, field observation, numerical models, and new conceptual models. He has mentored thirty graduate students and post-docs, served as department head at a major research university, and worked to diversify the department’s graduate program. —Thomas M. Johnson

Lawrence L. Malinconico, Jr. (Lafayette College): Dr. Lawrence L. Malinconico, Jr. is an exceptional, innovative, and multi-talented geoscientist and mentor, who has made significant contributions to digital field methods with iPad apps including GeoFieldBook. He has an impressive track record across geoscience education and research and has served GSA as a continuous member since 1974. —Nazrul I. Khandaker

Joseph A. Mason (Univ. Wisconsin-Madison): Dr. Joseph Mason has an exceptional and sustained record of innovative research in eolian hillslope geomorphology, generous mentoring, effective academic leadership, and engagement with GSA. Through theoretical, field-based, experimental and modeling research, Dr. Mason has demonstrated how the study of geomorphology can provide insights into eolian systems and past climate. —Erika Marin-Spiotta

Florentin J. Maurrasse (Florida International Univ.): Dr. Maurrasse has a long and consistent history of excellence in administration of geoscience programs, training, mentoring, scientific achievement, and exemplary GSA-membership since 1972. He has made outstanding contributions to geoscience throughout Caribbean/Latin American regions and to understanding of paleoenvironments related to Cretaceous greenhouse climate and ocean oxygen depletion worldwide. —Miguel E. Valencia

Leslie A. Melim (Western Illinois Univ.): Dr. Leslie A. Melim, Professor of Geology at Western Illinois University, was nominated as GSA Fellow for distinguished contributions to GSA and the geologic profession through authorship of numerous research articles, presentations at GSA meetings, exemplary service as a journal editor and peer-reviewer, and award-winning achievements in mentoring undergraduate research. —Jack B. Bailey

Kirsten M. Menking (Vassar College): Dr. Menking is an outstanding paleoclimatologist, a dedicated educator, and GSA community leader as evidenced by her meaningful contributions to paleoclimate research, mentorship of students and public outreach, and efforts at GSA meetings and committees. She has a strong commitment to educating the public about climate change. —David P. Gillikin

Ellen P. Metzger (San Jose State University): Ellen Metzger has made important contributions through her teaching and mentorship of geoscientists, and in increasing public awareness of geology. She is a national leader in geoscience education. Her columns for the Journal of Geoscience Education set the standard for our approach to K-12 teacher preparation in Earth Science. —Robert B. Miller

Dr. Lee Ann Munk (University of Alaska): Dr. Lee Ann Munk is a world-class geochemist who has used laboratory and field measurements to unravel key processes in lithium-brine systems. She has actively led diverse research teams and undergraduate researchers to improve the understanding of low-temperature aqueous environments. Her dedication to training and sharing science between academia and industry reflects her impact on the Geosciences discipline. —David F. Boutt

Benjamin H. Passey (University of Michigan): For outstanding contributions to the measurement and interpretation for stable isotopes for problems ranging from paleoecology to paleoclimatology to diagenesis.—Nathan D. Sheldon

Tara L. Root (U.S. Geological Survey): Dr Root has been exceptionally active supporting the Hydrogeology Division as newsletter editor since 2019. She trained and mentored many geoscientists at Florida Atlantic University and conducted substantive hydrogeologic work with a particular focus on public awareness of geology at both Florida Atlantic and in her current USGS position. —Prof. Michael C. Sukop

James D. Schiffbauer (University of Missouri): Dr. Schiffbauer has made many outstanding contributions in Precambrian-Cambrian Earth history, paleobiology, and taphonomy. His work addresses crucial challenges in paleontology, particularly the taphonomy of exceptional fossil preservation and how it may bias the fossil record. —Shuhai Xiao

Dr. Anjana K. Shah (U.S. Geological Survey): Dr. Anjana Shah is a leader in geophysical data acquisition and interpretation. As a research geophysicist at the U.S. Geological Survey, her research has led to advances in interpreting seismic risk in intraplate seismic zones, 3D imaging of the crust, and discovery of new rare earth element (REE) occurrences. —Gregory J. Walsh

Mona C. Sirbescu (Central Michigan University): Mona Sirbescu is a dedicated teacher-scholar. She has advanced our understanding of the origins and prospectivity of lithium-rich pegmatites while mentoring 56 undergraduate research projects since 2003. She and her students use field work, petrology, geochemistry, and experiments to investigate the mechanisms of pegmatite crystallization at unusually low temperatures. —Dr. Lawrence D. Lemke

Gary S. Solar (Buffalo State University): Dr. Gary S. Solar (SUNY Buffalo State): Dr. Solar is a field-based structural geologist with expertise in crustal melting. His professional leadership (GSA section meeting organizer and field trip leader, department chair over 13 years) and his mentorship (75 undergraduate researchers leading to 38 GSA presentations) have been sustained and impactful. —Paul Tomascak

Andrew J. Stumpf (University of Illinois Urbana): Dr. Stumpf has built a diverse career in the geosciences that includes geologic mapping, critical-zone studies and innovative applied research in geothermal systems and their design. This diverse career has allowed his mentorship of dozens of students, and it has contributed to his long-standing participation in GSA. —Jason F. Thomason

Fangzhen Teng (University of Washington): Fangzhen Teng is a world leader in the development and deployment of non-traditional stable isotopes to understand Earth and planetary processes. —Roberta L. Rudnick

Wan Yang (Missouri U. of Science and Tec): Dr. Wan Yang has made profound contributions to geology through insightful studies in important areas such as basin analysis, Milankovitch cycles, the Permian-Triassic boundary, and carbon capture utilization and storage, bridging theoretical and practical aspects of geosciences. —Stephen Shangxing Gao