Faculty Experts This guide lists the specialty areas of our diverse faculty, who are available for expert commentary on breaking news or feature stories on topics topics related to the Geological Sciences.
Faculty/Staff Highlight
Patrick L. Abbott
Emeritus Professor
Dr. Pat Abbott has been a professor at San Diego State University since 1977. During that time, not only has he advised numerous geology theses, he also developed the popular general education course, 'Natural Disasters'. Pats research interests include sedimentology of Mesozoic and Cenozoic rocks of southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico, correlation of tectonically displaced terranes, impact of humankind upon the earth, ancient soils and climates, archaeological geology, carbonate depositional environments, and hydrology. He has had the public eye for the last two decades with several appearances on television and radio as well as frequent coverage of professional activities in all local newspapers. Since Pat's retirement he has continued revisions to his text book on Natural Disasters, traveled the world giving scientific lectures on cruise lines, and has been recognized for his untiring devotion and service to the geologic community, receiving the A. Eugene Fritsche Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pacific Section SEPM.
Education Ph.D., Geology, 1973, University of Texas at Austin
Dissertation: The Edwards Limestone in the Balcones fault zone, south-central Texas M.A., Geology, 1965, University of Texas at Austin Thesis: The Glen Rose Limestone in the Canyon Reservoir area, Comal County, Texas B.S., Geology, 1963, San Diego State College
Girty, Gary H. (1984) Ph.D., 1983 Columbia
Professor
Processes controlling the compositions of sandstones and argillites, and the sedimentological and structural origins of Paleozoic/Mesozoic rocks of the western Cordillera
Olsen, Kim Bak (2004) Ph.D., 1994 University of Utah
Professor
3-D simulation of wave propagation using finite differences, strong ground motion and site amplification, earthquake dynamics, non-linear effects in strong ground motion, modeling and migration of crosswell seismic data, parallel and high-performance computing, visualization and animation.
Schellenberg, Stephen A. (2002) Ph.D., 2000 University of Southern California
Associate Professor
Paleobiology and paleoecology of invertebrates and protists, Mesozoic and Cenozoic paleoceanography, applications of isotopic and elemental chemistry to biological, ecological, and environmental research
Huntley, David. (1978-present) Ph.D., 1976 Colorado School of Mines Professor Emeritus
Hydraulics of groundwater flow and solute transport; groundwater in fractured crystalline rock aquifers, numerical modeling of groundwater flow and solute transport, parameter estimation, movement of non-aqueous phase liquids, and application of geophysical techniques to groundwater investigations
Camp, Victor E. Ph.D., 1976 Washington State University
Full-Time Lecturer
Volcanology, petrology, tectonic control of magmatic systems, geologic mapping in volcanic terrains with an emphasis on the flood basalts and Basin-and-Range volcanic rocks of eastern Oregon
Instructional, recreational and scientific diving program
Dept. Geological Sciences
5500 Campanile Dr.
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-1020
Email: flahan@science.sdsu.edu
Grove, Marty J. Ph.D., 1993 University of California
Adjunct
Ion Microprobe Facility Manager, UCLA
Dept. Earth and Space Sciences & IGPP
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Office: (310) 794-5457
FAX: (310) 825-2779
Email: marty@oro.ess.ucla.edu Website
Leighton, Lindsey Ph.D., 1999 University of Michigan
Adjunct
Paleoecology of marine invertebrates, with particular attention to biotic interactions (predation, competition), animal-substrate, and animal-flow interactions; functional morphology, morphometrics, phylogenetics; paleozoic brachiopods
Dept. Geological Sciences
5500 Campanile Dr.
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-1020
Email: leighton@geology.sdsu.edu
Ph.D., Geology, 1973, University of Texas at Austin 
