School of Science faculty member Kathy Licht has been named a fellow of the Geological Society of America in recognition of her contributions to the geosciences through research, teaching, publication and service.
Licht is an associate professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Thompson is director of the Indiana Geological and Water Survey at Indiana University Bloomington and serves as Indiana state geologist.
She is among 75 geologists selected as 2017 fellows of the society, an organization of professionals with more than 26,000 members in 115 countries. The fellows will be recognized at the Geological Society of America annual meeting Oct. 22 to 25 in Seattle.
Licht's research focuses on understanding the history of the Antarctic ice sheet, the cause of its advance and retreat and its relationship to the global climate system. Her studies of glacial sediments and ice structure dovetail with international efforts to understand changes in the Antarctic ice sheet, in part because of its potential impact on global sea level rise.
She has a bachelor's degree from St. Norbert College and master's and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Colorado Boulder.
"Kathy Licht undertakes critical field work in one of the harshest climates on Earth, the interior of Antarctica," said John T. Andrews, professor emeritus of geological sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder, who nominated Licht. "Her record in research, publications, teaching and service to the profession are of the highest standards."
Established in 1888, the Geological Society of America provides access to elements that are essential to the professional growth of earth scientists at all levels of expertise and from all sectors. Its activities include organizing scientific meetings and conferences, disbursing research grants, bestowing awards, supporting geoscience teachers, enabling students from diverse backgrounds to have careers in the sciences and fostering awareness of geoscience issues.
The 2018 annual meeting of the society will take place Nov. 4 to 7 in Indianapolis, which is expected to bring nearly 7,000 earth scientists to Indiana.