Wes Ward was most recently the Western Regional Geologist for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) (2003-2008), capping a 33-year career with the USGS. Prior to that he was the Chief of the USGS’s Astrogeology Program for seven years and on central and western regional geological mapping teams before that. Dr. Ward received his Ph.D. from the University of Washington in 1978 in geomorphology and planetary geology. Prior to that he earned his M.S. (1975) from the University of Washington in volcanic geology, and his B.S. in geology from Washington State University (1973). His primary research interests are the history of the Columbia River Basalts and eolian depositional and erosional features and patterns on Earth and Mars.
In addition to USGS research and leadership duties, Dr. Ward has served on many external community, academic, and scientific advisory panels, including service to AGI, AZGS, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (AZ), GSA, NASA, NSF, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona. He was named a GSA Fellow in 1993 and has been two-term President of the member society NABGG. He has hosted symposia at Annual Meetings on Environmental Justice (1995, 1996, and 1997), the education, recruitment, and professional development of women and ethnic minorities in the geosciences; co-hosted a sectional meeting symposium on the alluvial history of the Southwest (1986); been member of the Presidential Commission on the Environmental Sustainability (1996-2000) and the Nominations Committee (2005-07); and member and two-term Chair of the Committee on Women and Minorities (now Diversity) (1989-1994).

Oslund is a petroleum geologist with more than 30 years of experience in off-shore exploration in the Gulf of Mexico, South America, and south Asia. He is the retired manager of Geoscience Career Development and Recruiting at Anadarko Petroleum in Houston. His previous responsibilities at Anadarko included Manager for Exploration Asia/Pacific and, prior to that, strategic direction and execution of exploration program in Brazil for Anadarko. His specialties include clastic and carbonate geology, geophysical interpretation including structural/stratigraphic mapping, geophysical modeling, and attribute mapping. He has experience in business development and strategic planning. He has an M.S. from Indiana-Bloomington and an A.B. in geology from Albion College. He is an avid golfer, bicyclist, and marathon runner.

Thomas L. Holzer is a research engineering geologist, who lives in California. He is a Consulting Professor in both the Departments of Geological and Environmental Sciences and Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University. Holzer is originally from Melbourne, Florida. He received a B.S.E. in geological engineering with honors from Princeton University in 1965, an M.S. in hydrology 1966, and a Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1970. He formerly taught at the University of Connecticut.

His research interests are focused on geologic hazards. Holzer currently is developing a probabilistic framework for mapping earthquake-induced liquefaction, and recently published the first liquefaction probability curves for surficial geologic units in the GSA journal, Environmental and Engineering Geoscience; his paper received the AEG 2011 Best Paper Award. He has conducted and led many domestic and international post-earthquake reconnaissance investigations. From 2001 to 2003, Holzer chaired the committee that wrote the plan to coordinate post-earthquake investigations of the Federal agencies that participate in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. He also has conducted extensive research on ground failure associated with land subsidence caused by groundwater withdrawal. He edited GSA Reviews in Engineering Geology Volume VI, Man-Induced Land Subsidence, and authored the 2009 AGI Environmental Awareness Series booklet, Living with Unstable Ground. He has authored more than 120 publications.

Tom is a California certified engineering geologist. He is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America and has been active in the Society, including serving as a Councilor from 1995 to 1997. He is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award in 1995 from the Hydrogeology Division and the Richard H. Jahns Distinguished Lectureship in 1998 from the then-Engineering Geology Division.

Dr. Teresa Bowers is past President of Gradient, an environmental and risk science consulting firm in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She has more than 30 years of experience in exposure modeling, mathematical and geochemical modeling, and the application of this information to risk-based environmental strategies and development of site-specific cleanup levels. Her areas of expertise include modeling of blood lead and urine arsenic levels resulting from exposure to environmental sources of lead and arsenic. She is the author of an adult blood lead model now being used by the Environmental Protection Agency, and she has worked on a number of sediment sites involving PCB contamination, where she developed unique statistical approaches to calculating soil cleanup levels. She is frequently invited to speak on these topics by both industry and government groups. Prior to joining Gradient, Dr. Bowers held research and visiting faculty positions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University. She holds a B.S. degree in mathematics and geology from Purdue University, and a Ph.D. degree in geochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley.

Rex Buchanan is Director Emeritus of the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS), based at the University of Kansas, and is currently the Director of the Consortium to Study Trends in Seismicity at the KGS. He grew up near Little River, in Rice County, Kansas, on the edge of the Smoky Hills. He started at the KGS in 1978, and was the Interim Director from 2010 to 2016.

He is coauthor of Roadside Kansas: A Guide to Its Geology and Landmarks (rev. edition, 2010) and editor of Kansas Geology: An Introduction to Landscapes, Rocks, Minerals, and Fossils (rev. edition, 2010), both published by the University Press of Kansas, and coauthor of The Canyon Revisited: A Rephotography of the Grand Canyon, 1923–1991, published by the University of Utah Press (1994).

He served as Secretary of the Association of American State Geologists, chair of the GSA Geology and Public Policy Committee, and President of the Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE), the Kansas Academy of Science, and the Association of Earth Science Editors. He chaired the Kansas Task Force on Induced Seismicity from 2013 to 2016. In 2008, he was named a GSA Fellow and in 2016 received GSA’s Public Service Award. In 2009, he was given the John Strickler award for environmental education from KACEE. He also provides occasional commentaries on Kansas Public Radio. He has an undergraduate degree from Kansas Wesleyan University and graduate degrees from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Darrel Cowan is Professor of Earth & Space Sciences, College of the Environment, University of Washington. As a field-oriented structural geologist, he and his students have investigated field areas in the North American Cordillera, Alaska, Japan, Croatia, the northern Apennines in Italy, and more recently, Sicily. He has focused much of his work on regional tectonic problems, how ancient chaotic mélanges and olistostromes are related to accretionary processes at convergent plate margins, and on the origin of fault rocks in shallow crustal brittle faults and shear zones. Cowan received his B.S. and Ph.D. in geology from Stanford University.

He began his professional career as a geologist in the Alaska Division of Shell Oil Company. Since 1974, he has been on the faculty in the University of Washington serving as chair of the former Department of Geological Sciences from 1989 to 1994, and as acting chair in 2000-2001. While acting chair, he facilitated the creation of the new Department of Earth & Space Sciences.

Cowan is a Fellow of GSA. He served as GSA Councilor in 2004-2008 and as chair of the Structural Geology & Tectonics Division and the Cordilleran Section. He was General Chair for the 1994 GSA Annual Meeting in Seattle.

Dr. Dutrow is the Adolphe G. Gueymard Professor of Geology in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA. Her research specialties include mineralogy and metamorphic petrology, chemical and mechanical interaction of fluids and rocks, and visual communication for teaching. She strives to understand the evolution of metamorphic terrains through a combination of field, analytical, experimental, and theoretical analyses. Most recently, Dr. Dutrow’s work combines computational modeling of heat and mass transfer with irreversible thermodynamic modeling to understand kinetics and textural development of metamorphic rocks. Her research also extends to petrologic mineralogy utilizing, for example, tourmaline as a petrogenetic indicator mineral. Field areas include the Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho, northwest Maine, and various tourmaline-bearing rocks around the world. Dr. Dutrow received her B.S. from Chadron State College, NE, and M.S. and Ph.D. from Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX. Dr. Dutrow joins the GSA Foundation after completing a three-year term as Councilor for the Geological Society of America. Dr. Dutrow’s recent service includes serving as President of the Mineralogical Society of America (2007), Chair of the Executive Committee for Elements (2008-2015), and Associate Editor of the American Journal of Science (2003-2015). She is an active member of numerous scientific societies and committees.

Randy Keller, former GSA Councilor, is Professor Emeritus in the School of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Oklahoma. He served as Department Chair at the University of Texas at El Paso, and joins the GSAF Board of Trustees with a breadth of experience that includes roles as director of the Oklahoma Geological Survey and State Geologist, and currently in consulting and as the North American Representative for Seismik s.r.o. Randy has interests in geoinformatics, database development, and Web services useful to both academic and industry groups.

We are pleased to welcome Mike Manship back onto the GSAF Board of Trustees. Currently owner of Rock World LLC in Bozeman, Montana, USA, Mike served as Treasurer of the GSAF Board from 2006 through 2011. He brings institutional knowledge and history to the current slate of members, particularly important because several long-time board members recently completed their terms of service.

Dr. Parrish’s research has been on pre-Quaternary climates, and she has focused on three general themes: paleo-upwelling in the oceans and its effect on sedimentary rocks and fossils; the climate of the supercontinent Pangea; and high-latitude climate in the Cretaceous. Early in her career, she engaged mostly in conceptual climate modeling and meta-analysis of large data sets on sedimentary rocks and fossils related to climate. In more recent years, Dr. Parrish has focused more on field studies on specific problems raised during the earlier work in modeling.
After more than seven years of full or half-time administration, Dr. Parrish returned to teaching and research in 2007, concentrating on projects in Navajo Sandstone (Jurassic, Colorado Plateau), naming (with several co-authors) a new formation in the Tertiary of Alaska and characterizing its ecosystem, and working with an English professor on a paper discussing the use of language in public discourse on global warming. She was President of the Geological Society of America in 2008-2009, and retired from teaching in 2011.

In 2014, Dr. Rossbacher became President of Humboldt State University. She was President of Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, Georgia, from 1998-2014, and she was named President Emerita in 2014. She earned her Ph.D. (geological and geophysical sciences) at Princeton University, and she has worked for the U.S. Geological Survey, NASA, a geothermal exploration company, and National Public Radio, in addition to public and private institutions of higher education. She was the first woman geologist to become a university president in North America. Her bimonthly column has appeared in the magazine Geotimes (renamed Earth in 2008) since 1988, and she has authored books on geology, science, and the media.

Her research interests focus on the role of water and water ice on the planet Mars. In 1984, she was a finalist in NASA’s astronaut selection process. She was elected to Phi Beta Kappa as an undergraduate, and to the status of Fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2001 and in the Geological Society of America in 2010.

After chairing the Department of Geology and Geography at Georgia Southern University for nearly 12 years, her husband, Dr. Dallas D. Rhodes, is Professor Emeritus at Georgia Southern University and Research Associate at Humboldt State University.

Dr. John F. Shroder, Jr., known as “Jack” to his friends, is currently Special Assistant to the Dean of International Studies and Professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he has taught since 1969. Dr. Shroder has plentiful research experience in South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Author or editor of 15 books and monographs, 40 unpublished environmental consulting reports, and over 130 papers, Dr. Shroder has published on a variety of scientific topics dealing with landslides, glaciers, water supplies, floods, natural resources, development, and geoarchaeology.

Dr. Shroder is co-chair of the NASA- and U.S. Geological Survey-supported Global Land Ice Measurements from Space (GLIMS) Regional Center for Southwest Asia (Afghanistan and Pakistan), which is actively dealing with ice, snow, and meltwater resources. In addition he is Editor-in-Chief of the 14-volume, Treatise in Geomorphology, as well as the Elsevier book series, Developments in Earth Surface Processes. Dr. Shroder has received support from the National Academy of Sciences, NASA, NSF, National Geographic Society, Smithsonian Institution, Kiewit Foundation, and U.S. Agency for International Development. Elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Geological Society of America, and the Explorers Club, Dr. Shroder also has two Fulbright awards.

Recently he has been appointed by GSA to the International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) Scientific Board of UNESCO in Paris, France, and he is Chair of the Nebraska Board of Geologists. Dr. Shroder was awarded two Distinguished Career Awards from the Mountain Specialty Group of the Association of American Geographers in 2001, and from their Geomorphology Specialty Group in 2010.

Employment:

2001 – present Research Associate, American Natural History Museum

2003 – present Research Associate, Department of Geology, University of Utah

2001 – 2004 Research Scientist, Department of Earth Science, Rice University

2001 – 2003 Research Associate Professor, Department of Geology, University of Utah

1999 – 2001 Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Geology and Geophysics, Rice University

1999 – 2001 Advisor for Encyclopedia Britannica on Rocks and Minerals

1992 – 1999 Assistant Professor, Department of Geology and Geophysics, Rice University

1987 – 1992 Lecturer, Department of Geology and Geophysics, Rice University

1986 – 1987 Research Associate, Department of Geology and Geophysics, Rice University

1986 – 1995 WAE appointments to U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park and Anchorage

1986 – 1995 Consultant for fluid inclusion studies for Exxon, ARCO, and Texaco

1985 – 1986 Research Associate, Department of Geology and Geophysics, Princeton University

1979 NASA Summer Intern, Ames Research Center, CA

Honors and Awards:

• Elected Fellow in Geological Society of America, 1997
• Rice University Women’s Center Impact Award, 1998: for excellence in teaching and mentoring women on campus
• Outstanding Faculty Associate, Lovett College, Rice University 1998: for outstanding participation in undergraduate advising and college affairs

Professional Activities:

• Board of Trustees, Geological Society of America Foundation, 2000-2010
• Mineralogical Society of America, Student Awards Committee, 2004-2007
• Editorial Board for Geology, 1993-1995; 1996-1998
• Geological Society of America, Penrose Conference Committee, 1995-1997, Chair, 1996
• Co-convener, Geological Society of America/Joint Oceanographic Institutions Penrose conference on “Triple junction interactions with convergent margins,” 1994
• Reviewer, Environmental Protection Agency STAR Fellowships, 1999-2001
• Mineralogical Society of America, Short-Course Committee, 1997-2000, Chair, 1999 and 2000
• Mineralogical Society of America, Grants Committee, 1994, 2004-2007
• President, Society of Luminescent Microscopy and Spectroscopy, 1997
• Society of Luminescent Microscopy and Spectroscopy, Chair Grants committee, 1997-2000
• Vice President, Society of Luminescent Microscopy and Spectroscopy, 1995-1996
• Reviewer, Geological Society of America Annual Meeting abstracts in 1993, 1995, & 1996
• Co-convener for symposium on “Minerals, Melts and Magmas: A Tribute to Maria Luisa Crawford”, Annual Geological Society of America Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, 2006
• Co-convener for workshop on “Evolution of the eastern Caribbean-South American plate boundary zone: Transpression, volcanic arc accretion and orogenic float,” 1997, Houston, TX
• Co-organizer of symposium and theme session on Caribbean tectonics, Annual Geological Society of America Meeting, New Orleans, LA, 1995
• Co-organizer of symposium on Grenville basement, South-Central Section of Geological Society of America Meeting, 1992
• Association of Women Geoscientists, Nominations Committee, 1997-1999
• American Women in Science, Houston Chapter Grants Committee 1995-1996
• Advisory Board, Yellowstone-Bighorn Research Association, 1996-1998, 1999-2001
• Vice President, 2001-2004, President, 2005-present
• Steering committee ILIAD (Investigations in Lithospheric Architecture and Development) workshop, Taos, NM, 1995
• Convener for workshop on “Processes in the Lower Crust,” Princeton, NJ, 1982

Education:

Ph.D., Princeton University, 1985, Dissertation: Contact Metamorphism and Fluid Evolution Associated with the Ponder Pluton, Coast Plutonic Complex, British Columbia, Canada

M.A., Princeton University, 1981

A.B., Bryn Mawr College cum laude with honors in geology, 1979

Research Interests and Skills:

• Field-oriented petrotectonic studies in Alaska, Venezuela, Guatemala, and Myanmar on convergent margins, triple junction interactions, granite emplacement, subduction zone metamorphism and exhumation processes, and jadeitite formation. Have also worked in British Columbia, India, Malaysia, Norway, California, Washington, Montana, Maine, and Pennsylvania
• Fluid inclusion studies and boron geochemistry of metamorphic rocks

Languages: Spanish and French at a basic level

Professional Affiliations:

• American Geophysical Union (AGU), 1980
• Geological Society of America (GSA), 1980
• Mineralogical Society of America (MSA), 1981
• Sigma Xi, 1985
• American Women in Science (AWIS), 1986
• Association of Women Geoscientists (AWG), 1988
• Mineralogical Association of Canada (MAC), 1981

Courses Taught:

• Graduate courses: Metamorphic petrology (6 times), Fluid inclusion techniques (6 times), Electron microprobe techniques (8 times), Graduate mineralogy, Cordilleran tectonics seminar, Caribbean tectonics seminar (3 times), Geology and geophysics of the lower crust seminar, Felsic magma seminar, Birth and death of seafloor seminar; Alpine geology and tectonics seminar
• Undergraduate courses: Petrology (10 times), Optical mineralogy (3 times), Economic geology of ore deposits (2 times), Introductory geology laboratory (4 times), Understanding environmental issues, and Understanding environmental systems
• Field courses: Yellowstone-Bighorn Research Association Geological Field Camp (8 summers)

Theses and Student Research Directed:

• Between 1992-1999, I served on 39 academic advising committees at Rice. This represents 65% of all student academic committees.
• Principal advisor, three M.S. theses
• Layla Styles, 2000, Geochemical evidence for island-arc origin of the Villa de Cura belt, Venezuela
• Anne R. Poole, 1997, Age and geochemical constraints on ridge subduction for igneous rocks of the eastern Chugach Mountains, Alaska
• Chad A. Smith, 1996, Metamorphism, deformation, and geochronology of Cretaceous blueschists, Villa de Cura belt, Venezuela
• Co-advisor, 2 Ph.D. and 2 M.S. theses
• Saijin Huang, 2002, Ph.D., Thermal models and geochemical evolution of subducted oceanic crust (co-advisor with W.P. Leeman)
• Darrell Todd Woodford, 1995, M.S., Boron metasomatism in the Alta stock contact aureole, Utah (co-advisor with W.P. Leeman)
• Gretchen Kohler, M.S., 1995, Structural evolution of metamorphic tectonites beneath the Silver Peak – Lone Mountain detachment fault, west-central Nevada (with J.S. Oldow)
• Ann Moran, 1993, Ph.D., Effect of metamorphism on the trace element composition of subducted oceanic crust (co-advisor with W.P. Leeman)
• Committee member, 11 Ph.D. theses (10 in geology and geophysics, 1 in chemistry)
• Laurel Kirkland, 1999, Ph.D., Infrared spectroscopy of Mars
• Peeter Ackberg, 1999, Ph.D., Estimation of stochastic parameters from crustal seismic data
• Jeffery Gillis, 1998, Ph.D., Composition of lunar far side maria
• Phillip Bart, 1998, Ph.D., Controls on sedimentation in Antarctica and Florida
• Laura Banfield, 1998, Ph.D., Late Quaternary evolution of the Rio Grande system, offshore south Texas
• Michael Quinn, 1997, Ph.D., Pre-tertiary stratigraphy, magmatism, and structural history of the Central Jackson Mountains, Humboldt County, Nevada
• Kristen Etheredge, Ph.D., 1996, Chemistry, synthesis, characterization and magnetic property studies of copper-based phosphate and silicate compounds containing nanosize transition metal oxide frameworks
• Joseph Satterfield, 1995, Ph.D., Mesozoic geology of the Sand Springs Range, west-central Nevada
• Jun Zhu, 1995, Ph.D., Petrogenesis of late Cenozoic volcanic rocks from the Raton-Clayton volcanic field, northeastern New Mexico and southeastern Colorado
• Lawrence Guth, 1992, Ph.D., Kinematic analysis of the deformational structures on eastern Isla de Margarita, Venezuela
• Marino Ostos, 1990, Ph.D., Tectonic evolution of the south-central Caribbean based on geochemical data
• Committee member, 19 M.S. theses (13 in geology, 2 in environmental science, 1 in materials science, 1 in chemistry)
• Diana Dana, 2001, M.S., Shallow level seismic investigations of a porphyry copper deposit, southern New Mexico
• Amy Miller Komen, 2000, M.S., Computing three dimensional strain history and application to the San Andreas Fault, northern California
• Lisa La Flame, 1999, M.S., Estimating crustal heterogeneity in the north Basin and Range
• Joy Roth, 1999, M.S., The Caribbean carbonate crash at the middle to late Miocene Transition
• Sharon Barker, 1998, M.S., Trace element geochemistry of basalts from the Oregon Cascades range: Implications for magma generation and possible variations in the sub-arc mantle
• Jennifer Snow, 1998, M.S., Late Quaternary highstand and transgressive deltas of the ancestral Colorado River: Eustatic and climatic controls on deposition
• James Loughridge, 1998, M.S., Application of seismic tools and techniques to ground-penetrating radar (GPR) studies
• Riju John, 1998, M.S., New inversion techniques in 3D seismic processing
• Stephen Friedfeld, 1997, M.S., Environmental Engineering and Science, The temperature and ionic strength dependence of the solubility product constant of ferrous phosphonate
• Mary Anne Brown, 1996, M.S., The pre-tertiary geology, structural evolution, and geochronology of the Pueblo Mountains, Nevada-Oregon
• James Schrawtz, 1996, M.S., Late Quaternary periplatform sediments and paleoenvironmental analysis of Pedro Channel, Northeastern Nicaragua Rise, Caribbean Sea
• Tara Rampersad, 1996, M.S., Crossline migration of 3-D prestack data
• Cynthia Smith, 1996, M.A., Chemistry, The nickel catalyzed reconstruction of diamond (110) surfaces in hydrogen and the TGA investigation of iron and nickel catalyzed etching of diamond particles in hydrogen
• Xia Yang Sheng, 1996, M.E., Materials Science, Degradation of optical properties in anodic coatings exposed to vacuum-ultraviolet radiation
• Michael Hamilton, M.S., 1995, Detailed facies analysis of the Brazos wave-dominated delta, Freeport, Texas
• Jana de Silva, M.S., 1995, Seismic facies investigation and Late Quaternary glacial history of the Chilean shelf and fjords and Antarctic Peninsula fjords
• Jennifer Rogers, 1995, M.S., 13C/12C ratios in surface water and sea ice organic matter: Variability and contributions to the sediments of the Ross Sea, Antarctica
• Laura Banfield, M.S., 1994, Seismic facies investigation of the late Cenozoic glacial history of Bransfield Basin, Antarctica
• A.J. Gerbino, M.S., 1994, Environmental Engineering and Science, The adsorption of diethylenetriamine penta(methylenephosphonic acid) on clay and metal oxide surfaces
• External examiner, two Ph.D. theses
• Sharana Basava, 2004, University of Mysore, India, Metamorphic history of granulite grade lithologies and associated igneous rocks viz., carbonatites and syenites around Periyakulam and Varushandadu localities: Implications for the evolution of the 550 Ma old southern granulite terrain
• Thiru S. Balakumar, 1999, University of Madras, India, Geology, Structure, and Geochemistry of the area between Uttangarai and Singarapettai, Dharamapuri district, Tamil Nadu, India
• External examiner, one M.S. thesis
• Kevin Smart, 1992, University of New Orleans, Deformational history of the Border Ranges Fault system, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
• Advisor for 15 undergraduate research projects
• Lesley Dalrymple, 1999, Boron distribution in clastic sediments
• Eric Horsman, 1998-1999, Emplacement of granite in the Sierra Nevada batholith, central California
• Elizabeth Zenker, summer 1998, Web page on Geology of Rice Campus and Geochemistry of metamorphosed mafic rocks, northern Venezuela
• Gunnar Person, 1998, Trace element zoning of garnet
• Clyde J. Reddig, Leadership Rice mentor, 1997, Aviation at Rice, developed Weiss College course for private pilot training at Rice given Fall 1998
• Elizabeth A. Johnson, summer 1995, Rice University Scholars Program senior research, 1996-1997, Petrology of the Quanah granite, Oklahoma
• Jill E. Weinberger, Rice University Scholars Program, 1996-1997, Fluid inclusion constraints of the brittle/ductile transition, southern Alaska
• Rebecca Kessler, summer 1996, Fluid inclusion constraints on exhumation of northern Venezuela
• Pendleton Wickersham, 1995-1996, Apatite chemical controls on fission track closure ages, Beaufort Sea region, Canada
• Paula Ruthruff, 1994, Fission track ages for the Villa de Cura Group, Venezuela
• Caren Chaika, summer 1992, 1993 and Rice University Scholars Program senior research, 1993-1994, Fluid inclusions from the Araya Peninsula, Venezuela and Sand Springs Range, Nevada
• Nancy R. Harris, summer 1991, and 1991-1992 Isotope geochemistry of tonalites, southern Alaska
• Andrew C. Gordon, 1989-1990, summer 1990 and 1990-1991, Boron geochemistry of the San Juan Island subduction complex, Washington
• Leslie L. Baker, 1989-1990, Geochemical constraints on the amphibolite-to-granulite transition, southern Norway
• Claire E. Closmann, 1987 and 1988-1989, Boron geochemical studies: (1) Progressive low-pressure metamorphism, central Maine and (2) Migmatite formation, Colorado Front Range, Colorado

Laboratory Management Experience:

• 1992-1993; 1994-1999: Electron Microprobe, X-ray diffraction and fluorescence facilities,
• I was responsible for supervising technician and providing the ~$35,000/year annual operating budget through grants and service work for the electron microprobe.
• 1990-1999: Petrographic Microscopes, Fluid Inclusion, and Fission Track Facilities,
• I was responsible for: (1) maintaining and upgrading facilities, (2) radiation license, and (3) managing the annual operating budget of ~$5000/year.

Rice University Service:

• Envision Grant Selection Committee, 1995-present, Chair, 2002-2003
• Committee to Respond to Board of Governors’ Resolution on Sexual Harassment Spring, 1998
• Committee for President’s Lecture Series, 1996-1998
• Subcommittee for Natural Sciences Division Environmental Strategic Plan 1997
• This subcommittee created a new second major in Environmental Natural Sciences
• Rice Women’s Commission. 1995-1998
• Committee for Chance Teaching Award, 1996-1998
• Election Committe.e 1997
• Associate Lovett College. 1995-present
• Distinguished Associate for 1996-1997, 1999-2003
• Lovett College divisional advisor for Natural Sciences, 1996-1999
• Steering Committee for Schlumberger Initiative for Women, 1996-1998
• Mentor for Mellon Minority Undergraduate Fellowship in Science program. 1995-1997

Departmental Service at Rice University:

• Search Committee for Low-Temperature Geochemistry position, 1997-1998
• Search Committee for Structural Geology position, 1996
• Geology Graduate Student Admissions Committee, 1997-1998
• Undergraduate Advisor in Geology, 1993-1999
• Geology Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, 1991-1999
• Geology Undergraduate Equipment Enhancement Committee, 1995-1999
• Committee for Lecture Series, Spring 1997
• Team leader for Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL) geology teaching reform workshop, 1995
• Geology Research Facilities Committee, 1992-1999
• Geology 5 Year Plan Committee, 1993

Community Service:

• Participant in Boston Museum of Science, Science-by-Mail Pen Pal program for 5th-9th grade students, 1989-2000
• Participant in “Ask-A-Scientist” Cu-See-Me Videoconference, Spring 1997

Invited Technical and Public Lectures:

Lone Star Chapter of AWG (5/2004); Texas A & M University (4/2004); University of Utah (3/2003); Corpus Christi Gemological Society (11/2002); Virginia Technological University (9/2000); California Institute of Technology (4/2000); University of Missouri (11/1997); University of Texas at Austin (9/1996); Clear Lake Gem and Mineral Society (11/1996); Exxon Production Research Co (5/1993); University of Utah (2/1993); Queen’s University (1/1993); Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve (8/1992 and 9/1993); Texas A & M University (10/1992); Southern Methodist University (3/1991); Louisiana State University (10/1990); University of New Orleans (3/1990); Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve to Park Service Naturalist staff (8/1990); University of Cincinnati (3/1987); Northern Arizona University (4/1989); University of Arizona (4/1988); Bryn Mawr College (1/1984)

PUBLICATIONS

Books:

Sisson, V.B., Kleinspehn, K., and O’Reilly, G., 1992, Planning for Field Safety. American Geological Institute, 197 pp.

Sisson, V.B., Roeske, S.M., Pavlis, T.P., editors, 2003, Geological consequences of ridge-trench interactions in the northern Pacific, Geological Society of America Special Paper 371, 388 pp. with one CD.

Avé Lallemant, H.G., and Sisson, V.B., editors, 2005, South American/Caribbean plate interactions in northern Venezuela, Geological Society of America Special Paper 394, 331 pp.

Referred Publications:

Sisson, V.B., Crawford, M.L., and Thompson, P.H., 1981, CO2-brine immiscibility at high temperatures, evidence from calcareous metasedimentary rocks. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 78, 371-378.

Plafker, G., Nokleberg, W.J., Lull, J.S., Coleman, R.B., Pavlis, T.L., Pessel, G. H., Roback, R.C., Sisson, V.B., and Winkler, G.R., 1985, Summary of Trans Alaskan Crustal Transect (TACT) geologic studies in the northern Chugach Mountains and southern Copper River Basin. U.S. Geological Survey Circular 967, 76-79

Sisson, V.B., and Onstott, T.C., 1986, Dating blueschist metamorphism: A combined 40Ar/39Ar and electron microprobe approach. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 50, 2111-2117.

Sisson, V.B., 1987, Halogen chemistry as an indicator of metamorphic fluid interaction with the Ponder pluton, Coast Plutonic Complex, British Columbia, Canada. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 95, 123-131.

Hollister, L.S., Grissom, G.C., Peters, E.K., Stowell, H.H., and Sisson, V.B., 1987, Confirmation of the empirical correlation of Al in hornblende with pressure of solidification of calc-alkaline plutons. American Mineralogist, 72, 231-239.

Sisson, V.B., and Hollister, L.S., 1988, Low-pressure facies series metamorphism in an accretionary sedimentary prism, southern Alaska; Geology, 16, 358-361.

Sisson, V.B., Hollister, L.S., and Onstott, T.C., 1989, Petrologic constraints on the origin of a low pressure/high temperature complex, eastern Chugach Mountains, Alaska. Journal of Geophysical Research, 94, 4392-4410.

Onstott, T.C., Sisson, V.B., and Turner, D., 1989, Initial argon in amphiboles from the Chugach Mountains, southern Alaska. Journal of Geophysical Research, 94, 4361-4372.

Sisson, V.B., and Hollister, L.S., 1990, Fluid inclusion study of pelitic schists and metamorphosed carbonate rocks, south-central Maine. American Mineralogist, 75, 59-70.

Roeske, S.M., Pavlis, T.L., Snee, L., and Sisson, V.B., 1992, 40Ar/39Ar Isotopic Ages from the combined Wrangellia-Alexander Terrane along the Border Ranges Fault System in the Eastern Chugach Mountains and Glacier Bay, Alaska. in Geologic Studies in Alaska by the U. S. Geological Survey, 1990, ed by D.C. Bradley and A.B. Ford, U. S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1999, 180-195.

Leeman, W.P., Sisson, V.B., and Reid, M.R., 1991, Boron geochemistry of the lower crust: Evidence from granulite terranes and deep crustal xenoliths. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 56, 775-788.

Moran, A.E., Sisson, V.B., Leeman, W.P., 1992, Boron depletion in subducted oceanic crust and sediments: Effects of metamorphism and implications for arc magma compositions. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 111, 331-349.

Pavlis, T.L., Sisson, V.B., Foster, H., Nokleberg, W.J., and Plafker, G., 1993, Constraints on crustal extension in the western Yukon-Tanana terrane, central Alaska. Tectonics, 12, 103-122.

Sisson, V.B., Lovelace, R.L., Maze, W.B., and Bergman, S.C., 1993, Direct observations of fluid inclusion growth. Geology, 21, 751-754.

Sisson, V.B., and Pavlis, T.L., 1993, Geological consequences of plate reorganization: an example from the Eocene forearc, Gulf of Alaska. Geology, 21, 913-916.

Avé Lallemant, H.G., and Sisson, V.B., 1993, Caribbean-South American plate interactions: constraints from the Cordillera de la Costa belt, Venezuela. in Gulf Coast Section Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists, 13th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, J.L. Pindell and B.E. Perkins (eds.), 211-219.

Sisson, V.B., and Avé Lallemant, H.G., Uplift history of blueschists and eclogites in the Cordillera de la Costa belt, Venezuela, Part 1: Petrological constraints. Transactions of the 13th Caribbean Conference (Pinar del Rio, Cuba), final copy accepted 1993 (not published due to lack of funds).

Avé Lallemant, H.G., and Sisson, V.B., Uplift path of blueschists and eclogites in Cordillera de la Costa Belt, Venezuela, Part 2: Deformational constraints. Transactions of the 13th Caribbean Conference (Pinar del Rio, Cuba), final copy accepted 1993 (not published due to lack of funds).

Sisson, V.B., Pavlis, T.L., and Prior, D.J., 1994, Effects of triple junction interactions on convergent plate margins: results of a Penrose conference. Geological Society of America Today, 4, 248-249.

Sisson, V.B., 1994, Effects of triple junction interactions discussed. JOI/USSAC Newsletter, 7, no. 2, 5.

Pavlis, T.L. and Sisson, V.B., 1995, Structural history of the Chugach Metamorphic Complex in the Tana River region, eastern Chugach Mountains, Alaska: A record of tectonic processes during Eocene subduction of the Kula-Farallon spreading center. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 107, 1333-1355.

Harris, N.R., Sisson, V.B., Wright, J.E., and Pavlis, T.L., 1996, Evidence for mafic underplating during forearc intrusive activity associated with Eocene accretion, eastern Chugach mountains, Alaska. Geology, 24, 263-266.

Leeman, W.P., and Sisson, V.B., 1996, Geochemistry of boron and its implications for crustal and mantle processes. in Boron Mineralogy and Geochemistry, edited by E.S. Grew and L.M. Anovitz, Mineralogical Society of America Reviews in Mineralogy, 33, 645-708.

Smart, K.J., Pavlis, T.L., Sisson, V.B., Roeske, S.M., and Snee, L.W., 1996, The Border Ranges fault system in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska: Evidence for major late Mesozoic-early Cenozoic dextral strike-slip motion, Canadian Journal of Earth Science, 33, 1268-1282.

Sisson, V.B., Ertan, I.E., and Avé Lallemant, H.G., 1997, High-pressure (~2000 MPa) metamorphism of pelitic and mafic assemblages from the Cordillera de la Costa belt, Venezuela. Journal of Petrology, 38, 65-83.

Avé Lallemant, H.G., Gottschalk, R.R., Sisson, V.B., and Oldow, J.S., 1998, Structural analysis of the Kobuk Fault Zone, north-central Alaska. Geological Society of America Special Paper 324, 261-268.

El-Shazly, A., and Sisson, V.B., 1999, Fluid inclusion evidence for exhumation of eclogites and blueschists from Northeast Oman. Chemical Geology, 154, 193-223.

Smith, C.A., Sisson, V.B., Avé Lallemant, H.G., and Copeland, P., 1999, Two contrasting P-T-t paths in the Villa de Cura blueschist belt, Venezuela: a record of ~97 Ma subduction in the Caribbean,” Geological Society of America Bulletin, 111, 831-848.

Woodford, D.T., Sisson, V.B., and Leeman, W.P., 2001, Boron metasomatism at the Alta Stock Contact Aureole, Utah, American Mineralogist, 86, 513-533.

Seitz, R., Harlow, G.E., Sisson, V.B., and Taube, K.E., 2001, Formative jades and expanded jade sources in Guatemala. Antiquity, v. 75, no. 290, 687-688.

Sisson, V.B., 2002, Re-Discovery of Olmec blue jade, Houston Geological Society Bulletin, v. 45, no. 2, 23-25.

Sisson, V.B., 2003, The Geology of North America, in Earth and Atmospheric Science, Geology (EOLSS theme 6.15. topic 2 and 7), edited by Kurt Stüwe and Bernhard Grasemann, Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), Developed under the auspices of the UNESCO, Eolss Publishers, Oxford, UK, web only publication available at http://www.eolss.net.

Sisson, V.B., Poole, A.R., Burner, H.C., Pavlis, T.L., Copeland, P., Donelick, R.A., and McClelland, W., 2003, Magmatic and geochronologic constraints for genesis of a tonalite-trondhjemite suite and associated mafic intrusive rocks in the eastern Chugach Mountains, Alaska: a record of ridge-transform subduction, in Sisson, V.B., Roeske, S.M., and Pavlis, T.P., editors, Geological consequences of ridge-trench interactions in the northern Pacific, GSA Spec Publication 371, 293-326.

Sisson, V.B., Pavlis, T.P., Roeske, S.M., and Thorkelson, D.J., 203, An overview of ridge-trench interactions in modern and ancient settings, in Sisson, V.B., Roeske, S.M., and Pavlis, T.P., editors, Geological consequences of ridge-trench interactions in the northern Pacific, GSA Spec Paper 371, 1-17.

Weinberger, J., and Sisson, V.B., 2003, Fluid inclusion study of the brittle/ductile transition in the Chugach Metamorphic Complex, in Sisson, V.B., Roeske, S.M., and Pavlis, T.P., editors, Geological consequences of ridge-trench interactions in the northern Pacific, GSA Spec Paper 371, 217-236.

Bowman, J.R., Sisson, V.B., Pavlis, T.L., and Valley, J.W., 2003, Oxygen isotope constraints on fluid infiltration associated with high temperature–low pressure metamorphism (Chugach Metamorphic Complex) within the Eocene southern Alaska fore-arc, in Sisson, V.B., Roeske, S.M., and Pavlis, T.P., editors, Geological consequences of ridge-trench interactions in the northern Pacific, GSA Spec Paper 371, 237-252.

Pavlis, T.L., and Sisson, V.B., 2003, Development of a subhorizontal detachment horizon in a transpressional system, Chugach Metamorphic Complex, Alaska: Evidence for rheological stratification of the crust, in Sisson, V.B., Roeske, S.M., and Pavlis, T.P., editors, Geological consequences of ridge-trench interactions in the northern Pacific, GSA Spec Paper 371, 191-216.

Pavlis, T.L., Marty, K., and Sisson, V.B., 2003, Eocene dextral strike-slip within the Chugach Terrane, southern Alaska: Evidence from fabric studies along the Richardson Highway, in Sisson, V.B., Roeske, S.M., and Pavlis, T.P., editors, Geological consequences of ridge-trench interactions in the northern Pacific, GSA Spec Paper 371, 171-190.

Harlow, G.E., Sisson, V.B., Avé Lallemant, H.G., and Sorensen, S.S., 2003, High-pressure, metasomatic rocks along the Motagua Fault Zone, Guatemala, Ofioliti, 28 (2), 115-120.

Harlow, G.E., Hemming, S.R., Avé Lallemant, H.G., Sisson, V.B., and Sorensen, S.S., 2004, Two HP-LT serpentinite-matrix mélange belts, Motagua fault zone, Guatemala: A record of Aptian and Maastrichtian collisions, Geology, 32, 17-20.

El-Shazly, A., and Sisson, V.B., 2004, Fluid inclusions in carpholite-bearing metasediments and blueschists from NE Oman: Constraints on P-T evolution, European Journal of Mineralogy, 16, 221-233.

Taube, K.E., Sisson, V.B., Harlow, G.E., and Seitz, R., 2004, The sourcing of Mesoamerican jade: Expanded geological reconnaissance in the Motagua region, Guatemala, in Jade in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection, Taube, K.E., Harvard University Press, Cambridge MA, p. 203-220.

Sisson, V.B., Avé Lallemant, H.G., Ostos, M., Copeland, P., Snee, L., Blythe, A., Donelick, R.A., Wright J.E., and Guth, L., 2005, New U/Pb, Sr/Rb, Ar/Ar, zircon and apatite fission-track, and C14 ages in northern Venezuela, in Avé Lallemant, H.G., and Sisson, V.B., editors, Caribbean / South American plate interactions, Venezuela, GSA Spec Paper no. 394, 91-118.

Sisson, V.B., Chaika, C., and Kessler, R., 2005, Fluid inclusion constraints on exhumation of high-pressure belts in northern Venezuela, in Avé Lallemant, H.G., and Sisson, V.B., editors, Caribbean / South American plate interactions, Venezuela, GSA Spec Paper no. 394, p. 157-172.

Avé Lallemant, H.G., and Sisson, V.B., 2005, Exhumation of eclogites and blueschists in northern Venezuela: Constraints from kinematic analysis of deformation structures in Avé Lallemant, H.G., and Sisson, V.B., editors, Caribbean / South American plate interactions, Venezuela, GSA Spec Paper no. 394, p. 193-206.

Unger, L.M., Sisson, V.B., and Avé Lallemant, H.G., 2005, Geochemical evidence for island-arc origin of the Villa de Cura blueschist belt, Venezuela, in Avé Lallemant, H.G., and Sisson, V.B., editors, Caribbean / South American plate interactions, Venezuela, GSA Spec Paper no. 394, p. 223-250.

Ostos, M., and Sisson, V.B., 2005, Geochemistry and tectonic setting of igneous and metaigneous rocks of northern Venezuela, in Avé Lallemant, H.G., and Sisson, V.B., editors, Caribbean / South American plate interactions, Venezuela, GSA Spec Paper no. 394, p. 119-155.

Ostos, M., Avé Lallemant, H.G., and Sisson, V.B., 2005, The alpine-type Tinaquillo peridotite complex, Venezuela: Fragment of a Jurassic rift zone?, in Avé Lallemant, H.G., and Sisson, V.B., editors, Caribbean / South American plate interactions, Venezuela, GSA Spec Paper no. 394, p. 207-222.

Sorensen, S.S., Sisson, V.B., and Avé Lallemant, H.G., 2005,Geochemical evidence for possible trench provenance and fluid-rock histories, Cordillera de la Costa eclogite belt, Venezuela, in Avé Lallemant, H.G., and Sisson, V.B., editors, Caribbean / South American plate interactions, Venezuela, GSA Spec Paper no. 394, p.173-192.

Avé Lallemant, H.G., and Sisson, V.B., 2005, Prologue for Caribbean / South American plate interactions, Venezuela, GSA Spec Paper no. 394, 5 p.

Avé Lallemant, H.G., and Sisson, V.B., 2005, Epilogue for Caribbean / South American plate interactions, Venezuela, GSA Spec Paper no. 394, p. 329-332.

Tsujimori, T., Sisson, V.B., Liou, J.G., Harlow, G.E., and Sorensen, S.S., 2006, Petrologic characterization of Guatemala lawsonite eclogite: Eclogitization of subducted oceanic crust in a cold subduction zone, in Hacker, B.R., McClelland, W.C., and Liou, J.G., editors, Ultrahigh pressure metamorphism: Deep continental subduction, GSA Spec Publication no. 403, 147-168.

Unreviewed Reports:

Sisson, V.B., and Leeman, W.P., 1988, The role of boron and fluids in high temperature, shallow level metamorphism of the Chugach Metamorphic Complex, Alaska. In Workshop on the Deep Continental Crust of South India (L.D. Ashwall, ed.), pp. 165-167. Lunar and Planetary Institute Technical Report. 88-06. Lunar and Planetary Institute, Houston.

Pavlis, T.L., Underwood, M., Sisson, V.B., Serpa, L.F., Prior, D., Marsaglia, K.M., Lewis, S.D., and Byrne, T., 1995, The effects of triple junction interactions at convergent margins. Joint Oceanographic Institutes Report on the Results of the Joint JOI/USSAC and Geological Society of America Penrose Conference, 44 p.

Abstracts and other presentations:

Greeley, R., Gault, D.E., Synder, D.B., Sisson, V.B., Schulz, P.H., and Guest, J.E., 1979, Martian multilobed craters; impact crater simulations. American Geophysical Union EOS, 60, 873.

Crawford, M.L., and Sisson, V.B., 1980, CO2-brine immiscibility in high-grade metamorphic rocks. Geological Association of Canada Abstracts, 6, A11.

Maze, W.B., Bergman, S.C., and Sisson, V.B., 1981, Direct observations of the formation of fluid inclusions. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 13, 506.

Sisson, V.B., 1984, Source of hydrothermal fluids associated with the Ponder pluton, Coast Plutonic Complex, British Columbia. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 16, 408.

Hollister, L.S., Crisp, J.A., Kulick, C., Maze, W.B., and Sisson, V.B., 1984, Quantitative energy dispersive analysis of rock forming silicates. Proceedings of the 19th Annual Conference Microbeam Analysis Society of America Abstracts, 143-144.

Sisson, V.B., and Hollister, L.S., 1985, Relation of magma intrusion to deformation and uplift of eastern Chugach Mountains, Alaska. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 17, 408.

Grissom, G.C., Peters, E.K., Sisson, V.B., Stowell, H.H., and Hollister, L.S., 1985, Pressure of crystallization of calc-alkaline plutons in the Coast Mtns, B. C. and Alaska based on aluminum content of hornblende. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 17, 358.

Peters, E.K., Grissom, G.C., Hollister, L.S., Sisson, V.B., and Stowell, H.H., 1985, Pressure of crystallization of calc-alkaline plutons based on aluminum content of hornblende. American Geophysical Union EOS, 66, 422-423.

Aherns, L.J., Sisson, V.B., and Hollister, L.S., 1985, CO2-rich metamorphic fluids, south-central Maine. American Geophysical Union EOS, 66, 389.

Sisson, V.B., 1986, The role of boron in partial melting: Field and petrologic evidence from the Chugach Mtns, southern Alaska and Ponder pluton, Coast Mtns, B. C. Geological Society of America Penrose Conference on Migmatites.

Sisson, V.B., Hollister, L.S., and Plafker, G., 1986, Rapid two-stage metamorphism of the eastern Chugach Mtns, southern Alaska. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 18, 188.

Sisson, V.B., Hollister, L.S., James, T.S., and Kauzman, W.J., 1986, Tectonic setting and heat sources for low pressure facies series metamorphism in southern Alaska. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 18, 752.

Sisson, V.B., Hollister, L.S., Kauzman, W.J., and Clare, A.K., 1986, Fluid advection as a heat source for low pressure greenschist metamorphism, Chugach Mountains, Alaska. American Geophysical Union EOS, 67, 1197.

James, T.S., Hollister, L.S., Sisson, V.B., and Morgan, W. J., 1986, Thermal modeling of the subduction of young oceanic crust. American Geophysical Union EOS, 67, 1197.

Sisson, V.B., Clare, A.K., Aherns, L.J., and Hollister, L.S., 1987, A fluid inclusion study of pelitic schists and metamorphosed carbonate rocks, south-central Maine. 1st Pan American Conference on Research on Fluid Inclusions, 1, 66.

Sisson, V.B., Closmann, C.E., Leeman, W.P., Holdaway, M.E., and Truscott, M., 1988, Boron loss during progressive metamorphism: examples from central Maine and southern Alaska. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 20, A342.

Sisson, V.B., 1988, Geochemical and fluid evolution of the southern Chugach Mountains, Alaska. Proceedings of the U. S. Geological Survey Conference on Trans-Alaskan Crustal Transect Results for Southern Alaska.

Pavlis, T.L., Sisson, V.B., Nokleberg, W.J., Plafker, G., and Foster, H., 1988, Evidence for Cretaceous crustal extension in the Yukon Crystalline terrane, east-central Alaska. American Geophysical Union EOS, 69, 1453.

Sisson, V.B., 1989, Fluid inclusion study of hydrothermally altered synmetamorphic granites, south-central Maine. 2nd Pan-American Conference on Research on Fluid Inclusions, 2, 59.

Sisson, V.B., 1989, Paleocene-Eocene metamorphism and plutonism in the southern Chugach Mountains, Alaska. Geological Society of America Penrose conference on the Eocene Transition in the Cordillera: Oregon to Alaska.

Pavlis, T.L., Roeske, S.M., Sisson, V.B., and Smart, K., 1989, Evidence for Cretaceous dextral strike-slip on the Border Ranges Fault in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska. American Geophysical Union EOS, 70, 1337.

Moran, A.E., Sisson, V.B., and Leeman, W.P., 1990, The fate of boron in subducted oceanic slab: effects of burial, metamorphism, and chemical processing. V. M. Goldschimdt Geochemical Conference Abstracts, 67.

Sisson, V.B., Pavlis, T.L., and Dusel-Bacon, C., 1990, Metamorphic constraints on Cretaceous crustal extension in the Yukon Crystalline terrane, east-central Alaska. Geological Association of Canada Abstracts, 15, A122.

Roeske, S.M., Pavlis, T.L., Sisson, V.B., and Smart, K., 1990, Cretaceous strike-slip along the Border Ranges Fault system in eastern and southeastern Alaska. Geological Association of Canada Abstracts, 15, A112.

Leeman, W.P., Moran, A.E., and Sisson, V.B., 1990, Compositional variations accompanying metamorphism of subducted oceanic lithosphere: implications for genesis of arc magmas and mantle replenishment. Geological Society of Australia Abstracts No. 27 for 7th International Conference on Cosmochronology and Isotope Geology Abstracts, 58.

Baker, L.L., and Sisson, V.B., 1990, Anatectic controls on element mobility in the amphibolite-granulite transition in the Bjerkeim-Sokndal contact aureole, southern Norway. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 22, A117.

Roeske, S.M., Pavlis, T.P., and Sisson, V.B., 1990, Cretaceous dextral strike-slip along the Border Ranges Fault system in the eastern Chugach Mountains. Southern Alaska. American Geophysical Union EOS, 71, 1589.

Leeman, W.P., and Sisson, V.B., 1991, Boron in progressively metamorphosed pelites and basalts: implications for compositional variations in subducted oceanic slabs. American Geophysical Union EOS, 72, 293.

Sisson, V.B., and Santosh, M., 1991, Geochemical constraints of boron mobility in khondalites and charnockites in South India. International Geological Correlation Program Project 304 Workshop on Lower Crustal Processes: Sri Lanka (conference cancelled because of Gulf War).

Sisson, V.B., and Xu, P., 1991, Boron enrichment and depletion trends associated with contact metamorphism caused by emplacement of the Ponder pluton, Coast Plutonic Complex, British Columbia, Canada. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 23, A447-448.

Gordon, A.C., and Sisson, V.B., 1991, Boron metasomatism in a high pressure-low temperature metamorphic setting: a case study of the Constitution Formation on San Juan Island, WA. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 23, A427.

Sisson, V.B., 1991, Metamorphic constraints on uplift associated with extension of the Salcha River gneiss dome, central Alaska. Proceedings of the U. S. Geological Survey Conference on Trans-Alaskan Crustal Transect Results for Central Alaska, 13.

Decker, C.L., and Sisson, V.B., 1992, Mechanical behavior of faults in Somerset, UK, due to fluid-rock interaction. Annual Meeting of the Usher Society, UK, 33.

Manjari, A., and Sisson, V.B., 1992, Petrogenesis of an amphibolite-to-granulite transition in the Coorg granulite complex, southern India. International Geological Correlation Program Project 304 Workshop on Lower Crustal Processes: Adirondack Granulite Complex, 10.

Bebout, A.E., Graham, C.M., Leeman, W.P., and Sisson, V.B., 1992, Trace element distribution and mobility during prograde metamorphism of sediments: ion-microprobe study of the Pelona schist, California. American Geophysical Union EOS, 73, 327.

Sisson, V.B., and Avé Lallemant, H.G., 1992, Uplift history of blueschists and eclogites in the Cordillera de la Costa belt, Venezuela, Part 1. Petrologic constraints. 13th Caribbean Geological Conference Abstracts, 61.

Avé Lallemant, H.G., and Sisson, V.B., 1992, Uplift history of blueschists and eclogites in the Cordillera de la Costa belt, Venezuela, Part 2. Deformational features. 13th Caribbean Geological Conference Abstracts, 62.

Sisson, V.B., Harris, N.R., Wright, J.E., and Pavlis, T.L., 1992, Fore-arc felsic magmas in southern Alaska: a consequence of ridge subduction. Geological Society of America Penrose Conference on Low-K Felsic Magmas in Subduction Zone Settings, Chelan, Washington.

Sisson, V.B., and Avé Lallemant, H.G., 1992, Burial and ascent of blueschists and eclogites, Venezuela, Part 1. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 24, 7, 149.

Avé Lallemant, H.G., and Sisson, V.B., 1992, Burial and ascent of blueschists and eclogites, Venezuela, Part 2. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 24, 7, 149.

Harris, N.R., Sisson, V.B., Wright, J.E., and Pavlis, T.L., 1992, Geochemical evidence for mafic underplating during forearc intrusive activity associated with Eocene accretion, eastern Chugach Mountains, Alaska. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 24, 7, 76.

Avé Lallemant, H.G., and Sisson, V.B., 1992, Caribbean-South America plate interactions: Constraints from the Cordillera de la Costa belt, Venezuela. Proceedings of the 13th Annual Research Conference, Gulf Coast Section Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists, 27

Pavlis, T.L., and Sisson, V.B., 1992, Geologic consequences of ridge subduction: structural and metamorphic history of an Eocene high-T, Low-P metamorphic complex in the forearc of southern Alaska. European Tectonics Studies Group Meeting, South Hampton, UK.

Avé Lallemant, H.G., Sisson, V.B., and Wright, J.E., 1993, Structure of the Cordillera de la Costa belt, north-central Venezuela: implications for plate tectonic models. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, 77, 304.

Kohler, G., Oldow, J.S., Sisson, V.B., and Donelick, R.A., 1993, Displacement transfer system linking the Furnace Creek and Walker Lane systems, west-central Nevada. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 25, 5, 63.

Pavlis, T.L., and Sisson, V.B., 1993, Geologic effects of plate reorganization at a ridge-trench-trench triple junction: The Chugach Metamorphic Complex, southern Alaska. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 25, 6, 479.

Leeman, W.P., and Sisson, V.B., 1994, Boron geochemistry and crust/mantle processes. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 26, 7, 452.

Xu, P., Sisson, V.B., Bowman, J.B., and Leeman, W.P., 1994, Fluid evolution of a low-P, high-T metamorphic terrane, Chugach Mountains, southern Alaska. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 26, 7, 226.

Woodford, D.T., Leeman, W.P., and Sisson, V.B., 1994, Boron metasomatism in the Alta Stock contact aureole, Utah. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 26, 7, 450.

Pavlis, T.P., Sisson, V.B., and Marty, K., 1994, Evidence for a subhorizontal, mid-crustal detachment during Eocene transpression of the southern Alaska forearc. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 26, 7, 109.

Sisson, V.B., and Pavlis, T.P., 1994, Architecture of the Chugach metamorphic complex, southern Alaska: two views of ancient ridge-trench interaction. ILIAD Conference, 52.

Roeske, S.M., Snee, L.W., Pavlis, T.L., and Sisson, V.B., 1995, Tectonic response of the Chugach accretionary complex to early Cenozoic oblique subduction. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 27, 5, 74.

Sisson, V.B., and Pavlis, T.P., 1995, Contrasting metamorphic and structural history in a low-P, high-T complex, southern Alaska: effects of ancient ridge-trench interaction. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 27, 6, 317.

Xu, P., and Sisson, V.B., 1995, Accessory mineral relationships in a prograde low-P sequence, Chugach Metamorphic Complex, southern Alaska. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 27, 6, 439.

Ertan, I.E., Sisson, V.B., and Avé Lallemant, H.G., 1995, Metamorphic and age constraints for the Cordillera de la Costa belt, Venezuela. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 27, 6, 229.

Pavlis, T.L., Serpa, L.F., and Sisson, V.B., 1995, Analysis of tectonic systems: A four-dimensional problem. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 27, 6, 339.

Smith, C.A., Avé Lallemant, H.G., Sisson, V.B., and Copeland, P., 1996, Tectonic setting of contrasting high pressure assemblages, northern Venezuela, and implications for Caribbean-South American plate interactions. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 28, 1, 63.

Poole, A.R., Sisson, V.B., and Pavlis, T.P., 1996, Age and geochemical constraints on ridge subduction for eastern Chugach terrain felsic magmas, Alaska. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 28, 5, 120.

El-Shazly, A., and Sisson, V.B., 1996, Fluid inclusion evidence for exhumation of eclogites and blueschists from Northeast Oman. 6th Pan American Conference on Research on Fluid Inclusions, 6, 43.

Sisson, V.B., Avé Lallemant, H.G., Ertan, I.E., and Smith, C.A., 1996, Exhumation of two parallel belts of high pressure rocks, northern Venezuela. Geological Society of America Penrose Conference on Exhumation processes, Crete, Greece.

Sorensen, S.S., Sisson, V.B., Ertan, I.E., and Avé Lallemant, H.G., 1996, Likely protoliths and mass transfer within a Caribbean high P/T metamorphic terrane. American Geophysical Union EOS Abstracts, 77, 762.

Sisson, V.B., Cooper, H., Pavlis, T.L., and Poole, A.R., 1997, Contrasting metamorphic histories within the Chugach Metamorphic Complex: Differential uplift related to transpression on the Fairweather Fault, Alaska. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 29, 6, 277.

Avé Lallemant, H.G., Sisson, V.B., and Ertan, I.E., 1997, Exhumation of high-pressure rocks due to plate boundary-parallel stretching. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 29, 6, 119.

Few, A.A., Leeman, W.P., and Sisson, V.B., 1998, Interdisciplinary environmental teaching, American Geophysical Union EOS Abstracts, 79, S444.

Sisson, V.B., Pavlis, T.P., and Stüwe, K., 1998, Along-strike differences in the forearc associated with Eocene triple-junction interactions in the Mt. St. Elias/Mt. Logan region, invited presentation, American Geophysical Union EOS Abstracts, 79, 913.

Roeske, S.M., Pavlis, T.L., and Sisson, V.B., 1998, Trenchward migration of a strike-slip system through the forearc during Early Eocene evolution of the Chugach Accretionary Complex, American Geophysical Union EOS Abstracts, 79, F913.

Sisson, V.B., 1999, Ridge-trench interaction along the North American Cordillera, invited presentation, Geological Society of America Abstracts, 31, 6, A94.

Sisson, V.B., Avé Lallemant, H.G., Ertan, I.E., and Smith, C.S., 1999, Evolution of two high-pressure belts in northern Venezuela, invited presentation, Geological Society of America Abstracts, 31, 6, A95.

Horseman, E., Sisson, V.B., Tikoff, B., 1999, Evolution of the Rosy Creek Shear zone, Geological Society of America Abstracts, 31, 6, A63.

Weinberger, J., and Sisson, V.B., 1999, Brittle-ductile deformation and dewatering of a greenschist facies graywacke, Chugach Metamorphic Complex, Alaska, Geological Society of America Abstracts, 31, 7, A427.

Stiles, L., Sisson, V.B., and Avé Lallemant, H.G., 1999, Geochemical evidence for island arc subduction in the Caribbean: The Villa de Cura blueschist belt, Venezuela, Geological Society of America Abstracts, 31, 7, A114.

Huang, S., Leeman, W.P., Sisson, V.B., and Kloucek, P., 1999, Numerical modeling for subduction zone thermal structure, American Geophysical Union EOS Abstracts, 80, F573.

Avé Lallemant, H.G., Sisson, V.B., Harlow, G., Sorensen, S.S., Kane, R.E., U Han Thun, and U Myint Soe, 2000, The Nansibon jade mine, Myanmar: structure and tectonics, EOS American Geophysical Union Abstracts, 81, F433.

Sisson, V.B., and Avé Lallemant, H.G., 2001, Evolution of the Cretaceous to Recent orogenic belt of northern Venezuela, Geological Society of America Abstracts, 33, 6, A154.

Sorensen, S.S., Sisson, V.B., and Avé Lallemant, H.G., 2001, Tectonogeochemistry of the Cordillera de la Costa eclogite belt, Venezuela, Geological Society of America Abstracts, 33, 6, A250.

El-Shazly, A., and Sisson, V.B., 2001, Microthermometry of fluid inclusions in Fe-Mg carpholite and quartz from Saih Hatat, Oman: Constraints on P-T evolution, Geological Society of America Abstracts, 33, 6, A381.

Huang, S., Leeman, W.P., and Sisson V.B., 2001, Comparative thermal structures of circum-Pacific subduction zones, American Geophysical Union EOS Abstracts, 83, 1292.

Harlow, G.E., Sisson, V.B., Seitz, R., and Taube, K.A., 2001, New jade discoveries in Guatemala: probable Olmec sources, submitted to The Olmec Legacy conference, Miami, conference cancelled because September 11th 2001 disaster.

Harlow, G.E., Sisson, V.B., Sorensen, S.S., and Avé Lallemant, H.G., 2002, High-pressure and metasomatic rocks along the Motagua Fault Zone: Implications for emplacement tectonics and geochemical processes, IGCP Project 433 meeting, Guatemala City, January 2002. Note, abstract to be published in Ofioliti at a later date.

Sisson, V.B., Harlow, G.E., Hemming, S., Sorensen, S.S., and Avé Lallemant, H.G, 2002, Jadeitite and eclogite occurrences along the Motagua Suture Zone, Guatemala, International Mineralogist Association Abstracts, published by Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland, p. 221-222.

Bowman, J.B., Sisson, V.B., Valley, J., and Pavlis, T.P., 2002, Oxygen isotope constraints on fluid infiltration associated with high-temperature/low-pressure metamorphism (Chugach Metamorphic Complex, Eocene southern Alaska forearc, Geological Society of America Abstracts, 34, 6, 432-433.

Avé Lallemant, H.G., and Sisson, V.B., 2002, Geodynamic evolution of northern Venezuela, Program Técnico, 11th Congreso Venezolano de Geofísica, Sociedad Venezolano de Ingenieros Geofísicos, extended abstract for keynote address, 5 pages.

Sisson, V.B., Harlow, G.E., Avé Lallemant, H.G, Hemming, S., and Sorensen, S.S., 2003, Two belts of jadeitite and other high-pressure rocks in serpentinites, Motagua Fault Zone, Guatemala, Geological Society of America Abstracts, 35, 4, 75.

Sisson, V.B., Harlow, G.E., Sorensen, S.S., Bruekner, H.K., Sahm, E., and Avé Lallemant, H.G., 2003, Lawsonite Eclogite and other high-pressure assemblages in the southern Motagua Fault zone, Guatemala: Implications for Chortis Collision and Subduction Zones, Geological Society of America Abstracts, v. 35, no. 7, p. 639.

Francis, A.H., Avé Lallemant, H.G., and Sisson, V.B., 2005, Tectonic History of Two Disparate High-Pressure, Low-Temperature Metamorphic Belts in the Motagua Valley, Guatemala, Geological Society of America Abstracts, v. 37, no. 3, p. 5.

Sisson, V.B., Harlow, G.E., and Sorensen, S.S., 2005, Jadeitite: A record of metasomatism at various depths in Guatemalan subduction zones, Goldschmidt Conference Abstracts 2005, p. A785.

Avé Lallemant, H.G., Francis, A.H., Sisson, V.B., Hemming, S.R., Roden-Tice, M., Harlow, G.E., and Chiquin, M., 2005, Two jadeitite belts in the Motagua Valley fault zone, Guatemala: Two subduction events or one subduction event with retrogression?, Geological Society of America Abstracts, v. 37, no. 7, p. 67.

Sisson, V.B., Sorensen, S.S., and Harlow, G.E., 2006,Subduction zone fluid composition estimated from fluid inclusions in Guatemalan jadeitites, Geological Society of America Abstracts, v. 38, no. 7, p. 270.

Harlow, G.E., Mandeville, C.M., and Sisson, V.B., 2006, Sulfide mineralogy of low-T/high-P rocks from serpentinite mélanges of the Motagua fault zone, Guatemala, Geological Society of America Abstracts, v. 38, no. 7, p. 294.

Sorensen, S.S., Harlow, G.E., Sisson, V.B., Avé Lallemant, H.G., and Tsujimori, T., 2006, REE systematics of garnet, lawsonite, titanite and apatite in Guatemalan lawsonite eclogite: Fluid histories from a cold subduction zone, Geological Society of America Abstracts, v. 38, no. 7, p. 208.

Beardsley, A., Sisson, V.B., Avé Lallemant, H.G., 2006, Shallow level exhumation history of the Leeward Antilles, offshore Venezuela: Evidence form fluid inclusion analysis, Geological Society of America Abstracts, v. 38, no. 7, p. 209.

Harlow, G.E., Sorensen, S.S., Sisson, V.B., and Cleary, J., 2006, Jadeitite jade from Guatemala: Distinctions among multiple sources, Gems and Gemology, v. 42, no. 3, p. 146-147.

Steve Wells serves as the president of New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech or NMT), a public academic and research university granting undergraduate and graduate degrees in science, engineering, technology, and mathematics, and reports to the NMT Board of Regents. As president and chief executive officer, Dr. Wells oversees a university with 2150 students and 135 faculty and staff, providing leadership in the execution of the university’s strategic plan and maintaining the budget as allocated by the state legislature along with grants received from various entities. Dr. Wells leads the university in fundraising efforts, as well as cultivating relationships with the NMT alumni to gain support in the advancement and development of NMT activities. Dr. Wells maintains a continuous dialogue with the Board of Regents, providing an annual report on all aspects of the university, as well as providing a voice and presence in the community and state for recruiting potential students.

He served as president of the Desert Research Institute (DRI) of the Nevada System of Higher Education from 1999 to 2016, overseeing one of the world’s largest multidisciplinary environmental research organizations with approximately 500 scientists, technologists, students, and other support staff. He built DRI from a $23.8 million per year operation in 1998 to greater than $50 million currently. He oversaw two research facilities (one in Las Vegas and one in Reno), leading three core divisions and four interdisciplinary science centers that serve the State of Nevada and every continent. Dr. Wells served as a graduate faculty member in the Hydrologic Sciences Program and Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Nevada, Reno. He served on the boards of Research Parks, Ltd., Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada, Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance, WaterStart, Nevada STEM Coalition, and Sierra Nevada College.

Prior to joining DRI in July 1995 as executive director of the Quaternary Sciences Center, Dr. Wells was professor of geomorphology and chair of the graduate program in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of California, Riverside. Dr. Wells began his academic career at the University of New Mexico in 1976 and ultimately served as chair of the Department of Geology from 1989 to 1991. At both institutions, he built internationally recognized research and graduate programs, matriculating 34 Ph.D. and M.S. students. Dr. Wells has held visiting appointments with the U.S. Air Force Office of Research, U.S. Geological Survey, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the University of Liverpool, as well as established consulting relationships with numerous federal agencies and private companies including the U.S. Department of Justice and Sandia National Laboratories.

Other professional activities during his career include the following: president, Geological Society of America; GSA Fellow; member of the Board of Earth Sciences and Resources, National Research Council/National Academy of Sciences; presidential lecturer, University of New Mexico; chair and vice chair, GSA Quaternary and Geomorphology Division; panel member, Tectonics Program, Division of Earth Sciences, National Science Foundation; member, U.S. National Committee, International Union for Quaternary Research; associate editor and editorial board member, three international journals; co-chair, U.S. Army Basic Research Review Panel (Atmospheric and Terrestrial Sciences Panel).
Dr. Wells has published approximately 60 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters and edited six volumes. These works focus upon the geomorphology and Quaternary geology of arid and semiarid regions, geomorphic and hydrologic responses to Quaternary climate change, and tectonic and volcanic activity. Dr. Wells’ research career has blended applied studies, such as development of geomorphic criteria for selecting stable uranium tailings disposal areas, and basic research, such as the Late Quaternary paleohydrology of the eastern Mojave River drainage of California. Dr. Wells is the recipient of three national awards for research excellence: the GSA Kirk Bryan Award for best scientific paper in geomorphology and Quaternary geology, the Gladys Cole Award for best scientific proposal in arid land geomorphology, and the GSA Farouk El-Baz Award for desert research.

Dr. Wells has a B.S. (geology) from Indiana University as well as an M.S. and Ph.D. in geology from the University of Cincinnati.