• Pure scientist

  National Academy of Sciences member recognized by Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences.



• Name a science and there's not only a good chance that Thure Cerling is interested in it, but has also conducted some sort of research in that area.
  
  That diversity and excellence of his work has been the hallmark of Cerling's academic and professional careers.
  
  "Maybe I just have a short attention span," joked Cerling, a 1972 and 1973 (master's) graduate in geology.
  
  He also holds a bachelor's degree from Iowa State in chemistry.
  
  Cerling was honored this past Homecoming with the Department of Geological and Atmospheric Science's Geology Distinguished Alumnus Award.
  
  "I've continued to learn things in one area that can be applied to other things," he added. "Everything you learn has a potential to be useful in other areas. You can find a different technique and see if you can use it on something else."
  
  That's what Cerling has done for the past 30 years at the University of Utah where he is a Distinguished Professor of geology, geophysics and biology. His research involves the application of geochemistry to a wide variety of processes in ecology and near-surface geology.
  
  He has conducted fieldwork on all seven continents with studies ranging from the diets of modern and ancient mammals, to early man sites in east Africa, to groundwater contamination.
  
  "I've gotten involved with many different aspects of science," Cerling admits.
  
  "The one theme that has continued, however, if you find what you're interested in when you are young, you are always interested in that area."
  
  In that regard, land forms and landscapes have always interested the geologist in Cerling. He pioneered a method used by scientists around the world to study the evolution of Earth's ancient climate, atmosphere and ecosystems.
  
  He has shown how atmospheric carbon dioxide levels dwindled, prompting the spread of warm season grasslands 7 million years ago, and the later extinction of some animals that could not survive on grasslands and the evolution of other species such as early humans.
  
  He has studied isotopes produced when cosmic rays hit rock, allowing him to date the flood-causing collapse of ancient lava dams in the Grand Canyon and to measure erosion rates on the Colorado Plateau.
  
  Several of his studies are related to nuclear waste disposal. He currently serves on the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, appointed in 2002 by President George W. Bush.
  
  Some of his more recent work involves analyzing isotopes in the teeth and hair of modern animals to understand their diets.
  
  Cerling's research activities led to his election to the National Academy of Sciences in 2001.
  
  Despite his scientific accomplishments Cerling was surprised by his selection.
  
  "It was a total surprise," he said, "but I knew they couldn't have made a mistake - not with a name like mine."

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