Louis Derry Elected GSA Fellow

Louis Derry, Professor in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, was elected a fellow of the Geological Society of America (GSA).

GSA’s mission is to advance geoscience research and discovery while supporting the global community of geologists. The GSA Fellowship recognizes exceptional members of the geoscience community.

Derry joined Cornell Earth and Atmospheric Sciences as a research fellow in 1994 and as a faculty member in 1996.

Derry’s research includes studying the biogeochemical processes at multiple time scales, from modern environments to evolution of couple biogeochemical cycles over Earth history. Recent work includes elemental speciation and cycling in soil-plant-water systems, and the role of atmospheric deposition.

Derry is actively involved in developing models for the interpretation of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and strontium isotopic variations in the ancient oceans and how those can be used to constrain critical environmental conditions during major evolutionary and/or extinction events.

Prior to joining Cornell, Derry worked in industry at Homestake Mining Company and Chevron. He received his B.A. in Geology from Colorado College then went on to complete his Ph.D. in Geological Sciences from Harvard University.

Derry is a Senior Fellow of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research and was one of the top 15 most-cited geoscientists from January 1999 to October 2009 in the Thompson-Reuter’s Essential Science Indicators.

Service is of the utmost importance to Derry – both at the University and the larger scientific community and public. He serves on numerous University committees including the SES Major, Faculty DSR for Snee Hall ACSF Faculty Fellow and teaches in the Cornell Adult University program. Derry is also an Editor for AGU and Director of the Critical Zone Observatory National Office.

Derry is a valued and celebrated member of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences.