Aaron Thompson
Promotion to
Associate Professor
Miguel Cabrera, Bob Carrow, Glen Harris
Aaron Thompson
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Ph.D. Univ. of Arizona – 2005
Post-Doc – Jan 2006 - March 2008
Hired by UGA March 2008
Asst. Prof. Env. Soil Chemistry
30% Teaching, 70% Research
Advisor for Environmental Chemistry major
Teaching
• CRSS 4670/6670 - Env. Soil Chemistry (3 cr)
-Spring 2009-2013
-Evaluations (2009: 2.1; 2010: 1.9; 2012: 4.5)
– Peer review in Feb 2011 concluded the course
was exceptionally well-done, excellent instructor
Teaching
• CRSS 4660/6660 - Chemical Analysis (3 cr)
– Spring 2009-2013 (4.4)
• CRSS 8000 - Soil Physical Chemistry (3 cr) –
Fall 2009 (1.22), Fall 2011 (4.5)
Advising
Current:
• 1 Visiting Ph.D. student
• 3 Ph.D. students
• 2 M.S. students
• 1 Undergraduate student researcher
• 22 undergraduates in Env. Chemistry major
Advising
Past:
• 1 Visiting scientist, 1 Post-doc
• 3 M.S. students
• 3 Undergraduate student researchers
• 22 undergraduates in Env. Chemistry major
Service in Graduate
Committees
Current:
• 4 Ph.D. students (Ecology, Crop & Soils)
• 1 M.S. student (Crop & Soils)
Past:
• 3 Ph.D. students (Crop & Soils)
• 4 M.S. students (Plant Bio. & Crop & Soils)
Research Themes
1. Effects of physiochemical dynamics on
ecosystem function and contaminant
behavior.
- Wetting and drying effects, shifts in pH and
Eh, on soil and sediment biogeochemistry
- 19 invited talks including Goldschmidt
conference in 2012 and 2013.
- 1 peer-reviewed article
Research Themes
2. Drivers of chemical mobility and availability.
- Colloid and nanoparticle dispersion as affected
by shifts in pH, Eh, etc.
- Cesium and strontrium release in contaminated
sites.
- 7 peer-reviewed articles
Research Themes
3. Link between ecosystem functions and
soil chemical evolution.
- Feedbacks between mineral weathering and
and ecosystem function.
- Variation of Fe-solid phase characteristics in
ecologically and agriculturally relevant sites.
- 2 peer-reviewed articles
Grants
• Principal Investigator
– 2012 NSF ($375,000)
– 2010 NASA ($560,000)
– 2009 USDA ($449,990)
– 2009 Livermore Berkeley NL ($64,771)
– 2008 UGA research Foundation ($8,010)
• Co-Principal Investigator
• 2009 USDA ($200,000)
• 2009 Savannah River NL ($110,000)
• 9 Proposals in Review
Publications (15)
•In review: 6
•In preparation: 8
Presentations
• 28 invited presentations since 2008
– 2 Keynote presentations
• 18 volunteered presentations since 2008
• Recognized as a national and international
expert on Fe biogeochemistry and impact
of redox dynamics
Service
• Department
– Agronomy Club advisor (2008-2011)
– Soil Seminar Series (Fall)
• University
– Undergraduate Affairs committee (2008 - )
– Member, Advisory Board of UGA Center of
Advanced Ultrastructural Research (2008 - )
Service
• Profession
– Assoc. Ed., Clays and Minerals (2012 - )
– Chair-elect, Mineralogy Div, SSSA (2012 - )
– Chair, Early Career Member, SSSA (2012 - )
– Member, Organizing committee for International
Conference on the Biogeochemistry of Trace
Elements (2010 – 2013)
– Co-organized 7 sessions at international scientific
meeting (2009-2012)
Summary
• Performing well in teaching
• Has assembled personnel needed in a
basic research program
• Excellent grant activity and success rate
• Publications show good progress
• Invited and volunteered activities show
national and international recognition
• Providing good service to department,
university, and profession