ASU faculty to be honored for their accomplishments in research and education at AGU 2024 annual meeting
The American Geophysical Union (AGU) recently announced the selection of the 2024 honorees. AGU recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Earth and space sciences through scientific research, education, science communication and outreach. This year’s honorees include Arizona State University Associate Professor Christy Till, and Professors Ed Garnero, Jim Bell and Lindy Elkins-Tanton of ASU’s School of Earth and Space Exploration.
“It is truly wonderful to see these colleagues recognized for their tremendous work which has contributed so much to the core mission of our school and to the broader scientific community,” said Meenakshi Wadhwa, director of the School of Earth and Space Exploration. “And I have no doubt that each of them has even greater accomplishments ahead of them.”
Union Fellow
Planetary Scientist Jim Bell has been elected as an American Geophysical Union Fellow, joining 52 other scientists in the 2024 Class of Fellows.
The Fellows program recognizes AGU members who have made exceptional contributions to Earth and space science through a breakthrough, discovery, or innovation in their field.
Bell’s research interests include surface composition and geology of terrestrial planets, moons, asteroids, comets, spacecraft instrumentation and operations (multispectral imaging and spectroscopy), reflectance & emittance spectroscopy (telescopic, laboratory, spacecraft) as well as image processing and data reduction/calibration/analysis (telescopic, spacecraft). He is heavily involved in NASA solar system exploration missions like those of the Mars rovers Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance.
AGU will formally acknowledge and celebrate its new Fellows for their exceptional achievements and visionary leadership during a ceremony at AGU’s Annual Meeting.
“It’s both humbling and thrilling to be honored this way by my fellow members of the American Geophysical Union. I’m incredibly grateful to all the teachers, mentors, students, colleagues, and collaborators who have helped guide my career along the way,” said Bell.
Reginald Daly Lecture
Geologist Christy Till has been honored from the Volcanology, Geochemistry, and Petrology section with the 2024 Reginald Daly Lecture from AGU.
The honor recognizes a recipient who exemplifies Daly’s work with outstanding contributions to volcanology, geochemistry, or petrology. Till’s Daly Lecture titled, “See the Changes: Conceptualizing Approaches for the Next Generation of Questions in Igneous Petrology”
will be presented during the AGU Annual Meeting.
The Daly Lecture is part of the Bowie Lecture Series, established in 1989 to commemorate the 50th presentation of the William Bowie medal, AGU’s highest honor.
Till leads a multidisciplinary research program that studies the role of magma in the formation and evolution of planets, known as the EPIC lab. Her research and that of EPIC lab members includes determining the timescales and triggers for eruptions at active volcanoes in the US, growing minerals and magma in high pressure and temperature laboratory experiments and studying likely compositions of magma and crusts on exoplanets.
“I am deeply honored to join the group of Daly awardees, a list that embodies many of my academic heroes. This recognition also belongs to the community of scientists who have come through the EPIC research group over the last 10 years, who have brought joy, creativity, and insight to our work together and taught me so much along the way,” said Till.
Beno Gutenberg Lecture
Geophysicist Edward Garnero has been honored with the 2024 Beno Gutenberg Lecture from AGU.
The Beno Gutenberg Lecture is named to honor the renowned seismologist and recognizes an individual for outstanding contributions to the field of seismology. Garnero’s Gutenberg Lecture is titled, “What do the data say?”, and will be presented during the AGU Annual Meeting.
Garnero researches the nature of Earth and planetary interiors using the tool of seismology. He works on structures in the deep interior that relate to the dynamics and composition of the planet. His research has helped to characterize ultra-low velocity zones -- small regions that may be distinct and partially molted sitting atop Earth's core-mantle boundary, half way to Earth's center, and also continent-sized large low velocity provinces in the deep mantle.
“Beno Gutenberg was my hero in graduate school. He epitomized the process of carefully looking at data, and allowing discoveries to emerge out of that, rather than looking at data to seek confirmation of preconceived ideas,” said Garnero. “I am truly deeply honored to receive this award, especially knowing how many deserving seismologists embody Gutenberg’s principles. For sure, my work would not have received recognition if it weren’t for the invaluable contributions from and collaborations with amazing students and colleagues here at ASU and around the world.”
Eugene Shoemaker Lecture
Planetary Scientist Lindy Elkins-Tanton has been honored with the 2024 Eugene Shoemaker Lecture from AGU.
This lecture honors the life and work of planetary scientist and geologist, Eugene Merle Shoemaker. The Eugene Shoemaker Lecture is presented annually and recognizes excellence in planetary exploration. Elkins-Tanton’s lecture is titled "The NASA Psyche Mission: First Visit to an Unknown World" and will be presented during the AGU annual meeting. The Shoemaker Lecture is also a part of AGU’s Bowie Lecture Series.
Elkins-Tanton is the Principal Investigator of the NASA Psyche mission, and her research is focused on the formation and evolution of rocky planets, as well as on effective teams and future-facing educational practices. She also promotes and participates in education initiatives, in particular, inquiry and exploration teaching methodologies, as well as leadership and team-building for scientists and engineers.
Elkins-Tanton shared, "My biggest thanks to all the scientists who have trained and mentored and supported me, and to our really wonderful planetary science community. I'm so fortunate to be a part of it all, and what a joy to have this chance to share our Psyche mission with all of AGU!"
The named lectures are presented annually during the AGU Annual Meeting. This year’s meeting will be held in Washington, D.C. December 9 -12.