Earth Science
Our earth science research digs deep into our planet’s systems and processes. Through careful examination of rocks, minerals, and fossils, EEPS faculty and students uncover the forces shaping our planet, its evolution, and its potential future. This interdisciplinary research reveals complex interactions between the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere, shedding light on the dynamic mechanisms that govern our planet.
Jacob Benner
Distinguished Lecturer & Laboratory Coordinator
He/him
865-974-6013, jbenner@utk.edu
Website
Research Discipline: Paleontology, Sedimentary Geology
Research Interests: Ichnology and paleoecology
Stephanie K. Drumheller
Senior Lecturer
she/her
865-974-2366, sdrumhel@utk.edu
Website
Research Discipline: Paleontology, Paleobiology
Research Interests: My research interests center on taphonomy, ichnology, paleopathology, and paleoecology, especially as applied to understanding the evolution and behaviors of archosaurs.
Nicholas Dygert
Associate Professor
he/him/his
865-974-6022, ndygert1@utk.edu
Website
Research Discipline: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Petrology, Planetary Geoscience
Research Interests: I use field investigations, experiments, and numerical models to understand processes that shape the evolution of planetary interiors and crusts, and to interpret their expressions in the rock record. My focus is the Earth and Moon.
Annette Summers Engel
Donald H. and Florence Jones Professor of Aqueous Geochemistry
she/her/hers
865-974-0402, aengel1@utk.edu
Website
Research Discipline: Climate Change, Earth System Science, Environmental Science, Geochemistry, Geomicrobiology
Research Interests: Understand and improve water and environmental quality by exploring how biological activities interact with and impact geological and geochemical processes through time using advanced geochemistry and geomicrobiology methods.
Chris Fedo
Professor
he/him/his
865-974-6002, cfedo@utk.edu
Website
Research Discipline: Climate Change, Geochemistry, Planetary Geoscience, Sedimentary Geology, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
Research Interests: I study clastic sediments and sedimentary rocks in order to interpret planetary surface processes including weathering, transport, sedimentary environments, stratigraphy, and lithification.
Dan Hembree
Professor
he, him, his
865-974-3788, dhembre2@utk.edu
Website
Research Discipline: Climate Change, Paleontology, Paleobiology, Sedimentary Geology, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
Research Interests: Use of ichnology and paleopedology to study the evolution of ancient to modern soils, soil ecosystems, and landscapes as well as evaluating the effect of long-term climate change on terrestrial ecosystems through Earth history.
Shichun Huang
Associate Professor
he/him/his
865-974-8347, shuang25@utk.edu
Website
Research Discipline: Geochemistry, Planetary Geoscience
Research Interests: I use elemental and isotopic tracers, together with petrology and mineralogy, to study the Earth’s mantle and the early Solar System.
Robert Jacobsen
Lecturer
rjacobse@vols.utk.edu
Website
Research Discipline: Geoscience Education, Planetary Geoscience
Research Interests: Evidence-based teaching practices for large classrooms, graduate student professional development, K-12 STEM education and outreach
Linda Kah
Kenneth R. Walker Professor
865-974-6399, lckah@utk.edu
Research Discipline: Earth System Science, Geochemistry, Geomicrobiology, Paleobiology, Planetary Geoscience, Sedimentary Geology, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
Research Interests: My lab integrates sedimentology, geochemistry, and paleobiology to understand planetary biospheres. We explore rock fabrics and geochemical data to understand the evolution of the early Earth, and investigate potential habitable environments on Mars.
Chelsea Mackaman-Lofland
Assistant Professor
she/her/hers
cmackama@utk.edu
Website
Research Discipline: Structural Geology and Tectonics
Research Interests: I combine fundamental skills in structural geology with a variety of field, analytical, and modeling techniques to explore the relationships among crustal deformation, topographic evolution, subsidence, and lithospheric dynamics.
Molly McCanta
Professor
she/her/hers
865-974-6003, mmccanta@utk.edu
Research Discipline: Geochemistry, Petrology, Planetary Geoscience
Research Interests: I am an igneous petrologist whose research is focused on the mineralogic record of magma storage regions conditions and eruptive processes on Earth and other terrestrial bodies.
Michael McKinney
Professor
865-974-6359, mmckinne@utk.edu
Website
Research Discipline: Earth System Science, Environmental Science
Research Interests: Urban ecology: maximizing biodiversity and ecosystem services on green roofs and green infrastructure, urban invasive species, microplastic pollution. Freshwater mussels and snails: relocation success metrics.
Anner Paldor
Assistant Professor
apaldor@utk.edu
Research Discipline: Earth System Science, Environmental Science, Hydrogeology
Research Interests: I study the dynamics and the environmental implications of groundwater interactions with other components of the hydrologic cycle. I am interested in how these interactions change with time and space – from headwaters to coasts and the oceans.
Amelia (Amy) Robinson
Lecturer
she/her
865-974-8340, arobins5@utk.edu
Website
Research Interests: Geochemistry and Hydrogeology
Alycia L Stigall
Department Head and Jones/Bibee Professor
she/her
865-974-5499, stigall@utk.edu
Website
Research Discipline: Earth System Science, Paleontology, Paleobiology
Research Interests: Paleoecology, biogeography, and speciation; invasive species in the fossil record; Ordovician marine ecosystems; brachiopods; broadening participation in science
