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2019 Steinbach Visiting Scholars

Professor Christopher Jackson
Imperial College
Marine Geology and Geophysics
June 17-21

Dr. Jackson's research covers tectono-stratigraphic evolution of rift basins, magma plumbing systems and subsurface fluid migration. Dr. Jackson's career has spanned both industry and academia, as he worked for Norsk Hydro between his PhD and his current position as a Professor at Imperial College, London. He's also one of the founders of EarthArXiv, the first open preprint server dedicated to Earth science research. Dr. Jackson has received honors from GSA and the Geological Society of London, among others.

Department Talk, June 18 at 10:00AM in Carriage House
Hot Rocks Under Our Feet: Seismic Reflection Imaging of the Processes and Products of Crustal Magmatism
Institution Talk, June 19 at 11:30AM in Clark 507
3D Seismic Reflection Data: Has the Geological Hubble Retained Its Focus?
Student Talk, June 20 at 1:00PM in Clark 237

Professor Claudia Benitez-Nelson
University of South Carolina
Chemical Oceanography
July 29-August 2

Dr. Claudia Benitez-Nelson is an Associate Dean in the College of Arts & Sciences and Carolina Distinguished Professor at the University of South Carolina. Her research focuses on the biogeochemical cycling of phosphorus and carbon and how these elements are influenced by both natural and anthropogenic processes. She is a diverse scientist, with expertise ranging from radiochemistry to harmful algal bloom toxins and is highly regarded for her cross-disciplinary research. Over the past two decades, Dr. Benitez-Nelson has authored or co-authored more than 100 articles, including lead author publications in the journals Science and Nature. She has been continuously supported by substantial, multi-year research and education grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, among others. Her many research honors include the Early Career Award in Oceanography from AGU and Fulbright and Marie Curie Fellowships. In 2015 she was named an AAAS Fellow, and in 2017, was named an ASLO Sustaining Fellow. Dr. Benitez-Nelson is also highly regarded as a teacher and mentor, having received the National Faculty of the Year Award from the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the University of South Carolina’s Distinguished Professor of the Year Award, SEC Faculty Achievement Award, and Outstanding Faculty Advisor of the Year. In 2014, she received the Sulzman Award for Excellence in Education and Mentoring from the Biogeosciences Section of AGU. Dr. Benitez-Nelson is regularly called upon by national and international scientific and policy agencies for her expertise and currently serves or has served as a member of the Advisory Committee to the Geoscience Directorate of NSF, the EPA Science Advisory Board, and the National Academy of Science’s Ocean Studies Board. Dr. Benitez-Nelson earned a B.S. in chemistry and oceanography from the University of Washington and a Ph.D. in oceanography from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution/Massachusetts Institute of Technology Joint Program in 1999.
Institution Talk
July 29 at 10AM in Clark 507
Department Talk
July 30 at 12:15AM in Clark 507
Student Talk at 12:00PM in Clark 509
Professor Maarja Kruusmaa
Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia
Applied Ocean Science and Engineering
August TBD