Keynote Address: Thursday, March 28th @ 3:30pm in JHN 102

A little history of our speaker: David Mogk earned his MS (1978) and PhD (1984) degrees from the University of Washington and  is Professor of Geology and former Head of the Department of Earth Sciences, Montana State University. He is a metamorphic petrologist by training, with research interests in genesis and evolution of Archean continental crust, mid-crustal petrogenetic processes, and spectroscopy of mineral surfaces.  He is Assistant Director of the Imaging and Chemical Analysis Laboratory at MSU and co-PI of the NSF National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure MONT project. He has worked in mineral exploration for precious, base and industrial minerals, and has also worked on environmental remediation of mine sites. For the past 25 years he has worked to promote excellence in geoscience education. He was program officer in NSF’s Division of Undergraduate Education; worked to establish the Digital Library for Earth Science Education and the National  Science Digital Library; has been co-PI of the On the Cutting Edge Program for geoscience faculty professional development; has served on the EarthScope and EarthChem advisory boards; was a panelist on NRC Board On Science Education panels on Integrating Research and Education in Biocomplexity Projects, Promising Practices in STEM Education, and Discipline-Based Education Research; and is co-editor of GSA Special Paper volumes on Earth and Mind: How Geologists Think and Learn About the Earth and  Field Geology Instruction: Historical Perspectives and Modern Approaches.  He is past chair of the U.S. National Committee for Geosciences to the IUGS where he worked to promote development of Geoheritage sites in the US an internationally.  For the past decade he has led the initiative to promote Teaching Geoethics Across the Geoscience Curriculum. He is a fellow of the Geological Society of America (GSA) and of the Mineralogical Society of America (MSA); recipient of the 2018 Robert Christman Award for career-long service to NAGT; the 2017 MSA Distinguished Public Service medal; and the American Geophysical Union (AGU)'s Excellence in Geophysical Education Award (2000).

Title: A 50 Year Personal Odyssey Around the Earth System—Lessons Learned

Abstract: Reflecting on 50 years as a professional Earth Scientist, I affirm the importance of advocacy by mentors (at UW and beyond) and opportunities to participate in numerous professional development experiences at critical times that have shaped the trajectory of my career. My PhD training in metamorphic petrology provided a broad understanding of the chemical and physical work done by the Earth system, and gave me the analytical tools (EPMA, XRD, XRF, fluid inclusions…) to interrogate Earth materials to understand Earth history, processes and environments. This led to research opportunities to explore the Archean, mid-crustal rocks of the Wyoming Province; a graduate fellowship at the Lunar Planetary Institute, Johnson Space Center; a deep-sea research cruise to the Kane Fracture Zone with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute; and mineral exploration projects (uranium, gold, copper, molybdenum, talc) from Alaska to Colorado.  Associations with solid state physicists opened the door for a new line of research in surface science of materials using Auger Electron Spectroscopy, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, and Time-of-Flight SIMS, and current work in the NSF National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure program. Collaborations with geomicrobiologists has demonstrated the importance of feedbacks between mineral/geochemical systems and biota, and have led to research on thermophilic bacteria in Yellowstone National Park to microbes recovered from 4 km of ice core at Lake Vostok, Antarctica. A parallel career track in geoscience education and research on learning has included a stint as Program Director at the NSF Division of Undergraduate Education; establishment of an Earth system science curriculum; development of digital library technologies to support  Earth Science education; professional development programs for faculty enhancement; research on how people learn in the field; creating a safe and inclusive work environment so EVERYONE can be successful in the geosciences; and current work on international efforts to promote Geoethics and Geoheritage. These are the lessons I’ve learned:  Be curious about the world around you; Read a lot including topics outside your field of interest; Learn how to appropriately use the tools of the trade and seek new applications; Build collaborative networks and don’t be afraid to be a border crosser into new fields; Always work at the highest personal and professional standards of integrity, and treat your colleagues, Science, and institutions with respect; Commit one daily random act of inclusivity and kindness.