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
Teaching Associate Professor 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.
Chris Fedo
Professor Emeritus he/him/his | 865-974-6002 | cfedo@utk.edu | Website
Research Discipline: Climate Change, Geochemistry, Planetary Geoscience, Sedimentary Geology, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
Sean Fettrow
Assistant Professor (starting August 2026) he/him | | sfettrow@utk.edu | Website
Research Discipline: Climate Change, Earth System Science, Environmental Science, Geochemistry
Research Interests: I examine the links between soils, vegetation, and the atmosphere, improving predictions of ecosystem responses to a rapidly changing climate and identify mechanisms that regulate ecosystem greenhouse gas uptake vs emission.
Hairuo Fu
Gerald D. Sisk Assistant Professor (starting August 2027) He/him/his | | | Website
Research Discipline: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Petrology, Planetary Geoscience
Research Interests: I combine geochemical analysis and geophysical modeling to understand how elements and isotopes behave during high-temperature processes and what they reveal about planetary evolution, including giant impacts, magma oceans, and differentiation.
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.
Robert Jacobsen
Teaching Associate Professor | | 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 | Website
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 | Website
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, Don Jones Hydrogeology Endowed Professorship | | apaldor@utk.edu | Website
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
Teaching Assistant Professor she/her | 865-974-8340 | arobins5@utk.edu | Website
Research Discipline:
Research Interests: Geochemistry and Hydrogeology
Jarunetr (Nadia) Sae-Lim
Assistant Professor (starting January 2027) she/her | | jsaelim@utk.edu | Website
Research Discipline: Climate Change, Earth System Science, Environmental Science, Geochemistry
Research Interests: I study how hydroclimate, environments, and societies interact through time. I use proxies, biomarkers, geochemistry, and climate and lake models to reconstruct the past and inform current and future climate, water-quality change, and resilience.
LluÃs Saló-Salgado
Assistant Professor, Barbara McDonald Endowed Professorship in Energy Transition | | salo@utk.edu | Website
Research Discipline: Geophysics, Hydrogeology, Energy Transition Geoscience
Research Interests: I conduct computational and experimental research at the intersection of geology, flow in porous media, and geomechanics to mitigate geohazards and address outstanding scientific challenges related to energy development in complex subsurface systems.
Manuel Scharrer
Assistant Professor, David Mcdonald Endowed Professorship in Critical Minerals | 865-974-0402 | mscharre@utk.edu | Website
Research Discipline: Critical Minerals, Geochemistry, Petrology
Research Interests: Manuel studies critical minerals using experimental thermodynamics, petrology, and geochemistry. He focuses on rare earth minerals and non-oxides to model ore formation and support sustainable resource and materials development.
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
Colin D Sumrall
Associate Professor He Him | 865-974-0400 | csumrall@utk.edu | Website
Research Discipline: Earth System Science, Paleontology, Paleobiology
Research Interests: I use field investigations, phylogenetic methods and morphological analysis to understand the timing, nature and ecology of echinoderm evolution and the origin of modern taxa.
Anna Szynkiewicz
Professor | 865-974-6006 | aszynkie@utk.edu | Website
Research Discipline: Environmental Science, Geochemistry, Hydrogeology, Planetary Geoscience
Research Interests: I am a geologist and stable isotope geochemist using chemical and light isotope tracers to study surface processes related to water activity on Earth and Mars. I also investigate the origin of sulfur-bearing minerals on Mars.
