The Brahmaputra River Basin (BRB), located in the Indian subcontinent, home to over 80 million people, is shaped by complex hydrogeologic and tectono-geomorphic dynamics. BRB particularly influenced by the Himalayan and Naga Hill orogeny and Indian monsoon, apart from other regional factors. This study explores the interplay between basin hydrology, geomorphology, governance, and community perspectives across spatial, temporal, and even conceptual scales. It highlights key challenges like flooding, riverbank erosion, and sediment flux, and addresses the uncertainties linked to them. The study proposes a socio-ecological systems approach to foster adaptive management. By integrating scientific insights with indigenous knowledge, the study aims to inform sustainable policy development and local adaptation strategies within the BRB.
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Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are the primary drivers of adverse space weather at Earth. Their interactions with large-scale solar wind structures can significantly alter their properties during propagation, increasing their complexity and making space weather forecasting more challenging. To improve predictions at Earth, it is crucial to study CMEs near the Sun, in their early evolutionary phases, and track their progression through the heliosphere. So, what does this have in common with space weather at Mercury? The answer lies in a unique dataset from the MESSENGER mission. I will discuss how we have used MESSENGER data, along with observations from other spacecraft, to investigate both CME evolution and Mercury’s magnetosphere. In extreme cases, CMEs observed by MESSENGER have compressed Mercury’s dayside magnetosphere to the planet’s surface, which is an event that, to date, has not been observed in situ at any other planet. This finding also has implications for close-in exoplanetary systems. Overall, the high frequency of CME encounters during MESSENGER’s four-year mission has enabled both individual case studies and statistical analyses of space weather effects on Mercury, as well as extensive research on CME evolution. I will summarize these findings and provide an outlook on current and future research using datasets from Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter, along with upcoming mission opportunities.
*Refreshments: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM (ES&T L1118)
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Download photos from this year’s Spring Sciences Celebration on the College of Sciences’ Flickr.
The College of Sciences hosted its Spring Sciences Celebration at Tech Harrison Square this week to recognize outstanding faculty and staff for the 2024-25 academic year. Four recent retirees were also among those honored during the annual event.
“Spring Sciences is one of my favorite traditions at the College, a special moment to celebrate and thank exemplary members of our community,” says Susan Lozier, dean of the College of Sciences, Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair, and professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. “While all our faculty and staff do incredible work every day, these honorees have gone above and beyond in their service and dedication to our mission.”
The 2025 awards and honorees are:
Faculty Development Awards
The Cullen-Peck Scholar Awards were established by Frank Cullen (Math 1973, M.S. ISyE 1976, Ph.D. ISyE 1984) and Elizabeth Peck (Math 1975, M.S. ISyE 1976) to encourage the development of especially promising mid-career faculty.
- Vinayak Agarwal, Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Alex Blumenthal, Mathematics
- Wing ‘Winnie’ Chu, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
The Gretzinger Moving the School Forward Award, endowed by Ralph Gretzinger (Math 1970) and named to honor his late wife Jewel, recognizes the leadership of a school chair or senior faculty member who has played a pivotal role in advancing equal opportunity in the composition of tenure-track faculty, fostering a family-friendly work environment, and providing a supportive environment for early-career faculty.
- Tansu Celikel, Psychology
The Eric R. Immel Memorial Award for Excellence in Teaching, endowed by Charles Crawford (Math 1971), recognizes exemplary teaching in foundational undergraduate courses.
- Emily Alicea-Munoz, Physics
The Leddy Family Dean’s Faculty Excellence Award was established by Jeff Leddy (Physics 1978) and Pam Leddy to support a faculty member at the associate professor level with proven accomplishments in research and teaching.
- James Wray, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
The CoS Faculty Mentor Awards, established jointly by the College of Sciences and its ADVANCE Professor, honors the efforts and achievements of faculty members engaged in mentoring fellow faculty.
- Randall ‘Randy’ Engle, Psychology
- Teresa Snow, Biological Sciences
- Hui Zhu, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Faculty Research Awards
The CoS Outstanding Junior Research Faculty Award and CoS Outstanding Senior Research Faculty Award recognize postdoctoral and non-tenure track research faculty who have made exceptional research contributions with significant impact on their field of study.
CoS Outstanding Junior Research Faculty Award
- Sarah Orr, Biological Sciences
CoS Outstanding Senior Research Faculty Award
- Matthew Liska, Physics
The CoS Research Faculty Community Trailblazer Award recognizes postdoctoral and non-tenure track research faculty who have demonstrated and sustained leadership that strengthens the sense of community among research faculty within the College.
- Avery Davis Bell, Biological Sciences
Staff Awards
The College of Sciences Staff Awards are made possible by funding from the Betsy Middleton and John Sutherland Dean’s Chair endowment.
The Leadership in Action Award is presented to a staff member who has made exceptional contributions to the College through innovative and strategic leadership, change management, business process improvement, special project leadership, and similar accomplishments.
- Arian Padron, Academic and Research Computing Services
The Exceptional Staff Award and Friend of the Sciences Award recognize and celebrate performance above and beyond the call of duty. The awardees demonstrate high levels of execution in their primary job duties, auxiliary roles, and citizenship — positively impacting the strategic goals of their department and the College.
Exceptional Staff Award
- Dexter Dean, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Friend of the Sciences Award
- Kay May, Office of Faculty Affairs
The Rising Star Award honors a newer staff member who has made a significant impact during their short tenure by contributing to the strategic goals and initiatives of the College, showing passion for their work, and embracing the Institute’s culture and values.
- Nadia Moore, Academic and Research Computing Services
2025 Retirees
- Ellery Ingall, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- James “Jim” Sowell, Physics
- Kurt Wiesenfeld, Physics
- Z. John Zhang, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Five Ph.D. scholars from the College of Sciences are the newest members of the Georgia Tech University Center of Exemplary Mentoring (UCEM) Ph.D. Fellowship program, which now includes the College’s Center for Promoting Inclusion and Equity in the Sciences (C-PIES).
“This is the first year the College of Sciences has been involved with UCEM, and it will be very impactful for the professional development for these students,” says Lewis Wheaton, C-PIES director and professor in the School of Biological Sciences. “The process for selection was highly competitive and these students really demonstrate strong scientific ability, have compelling research, and are having a powerful impact in the college community and beyond.”
The new UCEM/C-PIES Fellows:
- Sarah E. Gonzales, School of Physics
- Danielle Grau, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Sierra Knavel, School of Mathematics
- Tony Lemos, School of Physics
- Autumn Peterson, School of Biological Sciences
The Georgia Tech UCEM Ph.D. Fellowship program has the goal of increasing the number of outstanding engineering, science, and computing Ph.D. students from underserved populations. The program seeks to support students from backgrounds that include African American/Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Pacific Islander. The Georgia Tech UCEM Ph.D. Fellowship provides three years of support for students who have recently completed the Ph.D. Qualifying/Preliminary exam.
C-PIES at the College of Sciences works in collaboration with the College of Engineering and the College of Computing — through the Georgia Tech Underrepresented Minority (URM) Graduate Leadership Initiative — to support the Expand Access focus area of the Institute’s strategic plan for graduate student enrollment and retention.
Meet the College of Sciences UCEM Fellows
Sarah E. Gonzalez
“I was excited and relieved to find out I was a UCEM Fellow. As everyone knows, being a grad student isn’t the most financially stable position, so anything extra is a big help,” Gonzales says.
Gonzalez researches in the lab of Associate Professor Elisabetta Matsumoto, studying knitted fabrics and their mechanical behavior. “She is my biggest supporter at Georgia Tech. We have a very tight-knit and supportive research group.”
Danielle Grau
“I was shocked and elated when I received the email with the news, and excited about the opportunity to be a part of such a prestigious fellowship,” Grau says. “I am excited to see what opportunities and relationships it will forge in the future.”
Assistant Professor Alexander Robel is Grau’s thesis adviser. “I am extremely grateful and appreciative for all the support, guidance, and encouragement he has given me throughout my time at Georgia Tech. He's a phenomenal mentor and advisor, and I wouldn’t have had any success without him.”
Sierra A. Knavel
“I was enthusiastic to hear about receiving the award,” Knavel says, “and eager to join a community that wants to help each other succeed while at Georgia Tech.”
Knavel, whose research interests include low-dimensional topology, has Professor John Etnyre as an adviser. “He is the reason I can say I'm in the math Ph.D. program, and that I know I belong here.”
Tony Lemos
“When I applied to the UCEM fellowship, I had doubts that I was accomplished enough to be chosen for this fellowship,” Lemos says. “When I received the email announcing that I had been selected for this award, it was a great surprise, and I was immediately filled with immense gratitude. I am very thankful to be one of the students to receive this gift that will help me become the first in my family to obtain a doctoral degree.”
Lemos is a research assistant in the biophysics lab of Professor Harold Kim, who is his adviser. “He has been a great mentor who helped me get this far at Georgia Tech. He is a great role model that showed me what it means to be an effective scientist. He also challenged me to grow in areas I was uncomfortable with in the lab. I am thankful for his mentorship and unending support.”
Autumn Peterson
“I was super excited to hear that I was named a UCEM Ph.D. Fellow,” Peterson says. “Mentorship has always been important to me. I would not be in the position I am in now without mentors who have supported me throughout my academic career. I am looking forward to strengthening my mentorship skills and serving as a role model for aspiring scientists coming from underrepresented backgrounds like I do.”
Peterson’s adviser is Associate Professor William Ratcliff, who is also Co-Director of the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Quantitative Biosciences. ‘I want to thank him for his immense support throughout my academic journey. I would also like to thank Anthony Burnetti, a senior research scientist in the Ratcliff lab. Both Ratcliff and Burnetti are both extremely supportive, kind, and knowledgeable, and I am grateful to have them as mentors.”
Earlier this year, Peterson and Ratcliff were co-awarded a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Gilliam Fellowship for Advanced Study.
“We are so proud of our UCEM/C-PIES Fellows," says Lea Marzo, C-PIES Program Operations Director. "The students selected for this fellowship are brilliant researchers and we are delighted that Georgia Tech’s Office of the President is making an investment in their success. We cannot wait to see what the future has in store for these fellows."
This semester, 36 faculty members from across the Institute, including four from the College of Sciences, were awarded tenure. Tenure recognizes a faculty member’s contributions to Georgia Tech through research, teaching, and community. We are honored to celebrate this defining moment in our faculty members' careers.
- Rosa Arriaga, School of Interactive Computing, College of Computing
- Claire Arthur, School of Music, College of Design
- Katie Badura, Scheller College of Business
- John Blazeck, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering
- Ahmet Coskun, Walter H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering
- Alexandros Daglis, School of Computer Science, College of Computing
- Mathieu Dahan, H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, College of Engineering
- Shaheen A. Dewji, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering
- Ashutosh Makrand Dhekne, School of Computer Science, College of Computing
- Chunhui Du, School of Physics, College of Sciences
- Daniel Genkin, School of Cybersecurity and Privacy, College of Computing
- Jie He, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, College of Sciences
- Judy Hoffman, School of Interactive Computing, College of Computing
- Jennifer Kaiser, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering
- Kuen-Da Lin, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
- Lisa Marks, School of Industrial Design, College of Design
- Daniel Molzahn, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering
- Debankur Mukherjee, H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, College of Engineering
- Annalise B. Paaby, School of Biological Sciences, College of Sciences
- Paul Pearce, School of Cybersecurity and Privacy, College of Computing
- Koushyar Rajavi, Scheller College of Business
- Jessica Roberts, School of Interactive Computing, College of Computing
- Ryan J. Sherman, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering
- Humphrey Shi, School of Interactive Computing, College of Computing
- Manpreet Singh, Scheller College of Business
- Eunhye Song, H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, College of Engineering
- Alexey Tumanov, School of Computer Science, College of Computing
- Casey Wichman, School of Economics, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
- Christopher William Wiese, School of Psychology, College of Sciences
- Joycelyn Wilson, School of Literature, Media, and Communication, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
- Weijun Xie, H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, College of Engineering
- Chao Zhang, School of Computational Science and Engineering, College of Computing
- Qirun Zhang, School of Computer Science, College of Computing
- Xiuwei Zhang, School of Computational Science and Engineering, College of Computing
- Ye Zhao, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering
- Bo Zhu, School of Interactive Computing, College of Computing
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Fe and S isotope ratios in sedimentary pyrite (δ56Fepyr and δ34Spyr) are extensively used in reconstructions of the coupled biogeochemical Fe, S, C and O2 cycles and investigations of sub-seafloor microbial activity. However, an underlying assumption that δ34Spyr variation is related to global S-cycle drivers is refuted by a growing number of observations. To elucidate the controls on δ56Fepyr and δ34Spyr values, we combine (i) bulk and microscale multi-isotope (Fe and multi-S) analyses of well-understood Pleistocene marine sediments, and (ii) a coupled microbial-diagenetic model, which accounts for the transport and (bio)reaction of C, S and Fe species.
Rather than global Fe-cycle and S-cycle drivers of isotopic variation, the studied sediment cores demonstrate clear controls by local variations in depositional parameters like the sedimentation rate, organic matter and reactive Fe content, and reworking by currents. Incorporating these insights into a microbial-diagenetic model, and using gridded datasets of the relevant depositional factors, we reproduce modern δ34Spyr spatial patterns and distributions compiled from the sedimentary rock record. In agreement with the bulk and microscale observations, the model microbial S isotope fractionation remains uniformly large under modern marine conditions, and the main determinants of isotopic variations in pyrite are the depositional parameters. These factors govern the degree of sulfate drawdown and isotopic distillation, and the degree of porewater sulfide accumulation, and through these, the distribution of δ34Spyr.
With the understanding that mostly local depositional parameters control the isotopic composition of pyrite, coupled δ56Fepyr, δ34Spyr and Δ33Spyr measurements by secondary-ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) offer a way forward. Such measurements provide a wealth of information about microbial activity, pyritization pathways, burial diagenesis and the dynamics of the depositional system.
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The College of Sciences has named Professor Joel Kostka the inaugural faculty director of Science for Georgia’s Tomorrow (Sci4GT). The new center, announced by the College in December 2024, will drive research aimed at improving life across the state of Georgia.
“Joel is perfectly suited to lead this new initiative, especially since his research for a number of years has focused on Georgia and the vulnerability of both humans and ecosystems to climate change,” says Susan Lozier, dean of the College of Sciences, Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair, and professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. “I look forward to seeing how Science for Georgia’s Tomorrow takes shape and evolves under his thoughtful leadership.”
“I believe that my experience in research administration and in leading multidisciplinary research programs, along with the focus of my research on the vulnerability of Georgia’s communities to climate change, have prepared me well for this role,” says Kostka, who is the Tom and Marie Patton Distinguished Professor and associate chair for Research in the School of Biological Sciences with a joint appointment in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. “I am excited about the opportunity to lead Sci4GT as its inaugural director.”
Kostka’s appointment will begin on May 1, 2025.
Championing science in Georgia
Sci4GT was created to foster research related to the health and resilience of Georgia’s people, ecosystems, and communities. Specifically, it will serve to boost research collaboration across the Institute, pave the way for public-private partnerships, and expand opportunities for Georgia students and communities to engage with Institute research.
Among Kostka’s first tasks as faculty director will be the development of the center’s strategic plan and the completion of two dedicated cluster hires from within the College of Sciences’ six schools.
Meet Joel Kostka
Kostka is known for bridging biogeochemistry and microbiology to elucidate the role of microorganisms in ecosystem function. He has emerged as an international leader in ecosystem biogeoscience, providing a quantitative predictive understanding of how ecosystems function as well as determining the mechanisms by which climate change alters ecosystem resilience. He partners with a variety of stakeholders to conduct research on the restoration and adaptive management of coastal ecosystems in Georgia.
Kostka has also served as the PI of a range of multidisciplinary research projects focused on environmental change as well as scientific advisory boards including Georgia Tech’s Strategic Energy Institute, the NSF-funded Plum Island Estuary Long-term Ecological Research program, and the Johnston Center for Coastal Sustainability on Bald Head Island.
Kostka received a B.S. in Biology from Western Illinois University and a Ph.D. in Marine Science from the University of Delaware. Prior to joining Georgia Tech in 2011, he was a professor at the Department of Oceanography and Associate Director of the Institute of Energy Systems, Economics, and Sustainability at Florida State University.
Initial support for Science for Georgia’s Tomorrow is generously provided by the College of Sciences Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Dean's Chair fund. Cluster hire funding has been awarded by Provost Steven W. McLaughlin. The initiative will also seek funding from state, national and international organizations, private foundations, and government agencies to expand impact. Philanthropic support will also be sought in the form of professorships, programmatic support for the center, and seed funding.
Please join the College of Sciences Graduate Student Committee and C-PIES for this month's "Making Science Accessible Seminar." During this event series, graduate students present their research.
When: Tuesday, April 15th, 1 – 2:30 p.m., followed by refreshments until 3:00 p.m.
Where: Skiles 006
Please register by Friday, April 11, 2025: https://gatech.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cHlYCQ4rqbdgdCu
Speakers:
- Samuel Ofori, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences: "Using Seismic (Earthquake) and Electric Signals (Solar Flux) to Investigate the Material Properties of the Earth's Upper Mantle"
- Isabella Martincic, School of Psychology: "The Center for Inclusive Climate Communications (CICC)"
- Shreya Kothari, School of Biological Sciences: "Harnessing nature’s helpers: Discovering bioactive compounds for oil spill remediation."
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Seven new Faculty Fellows were appointed to the Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems (BBISS). In addition to their own work, BBISS Fellows serve as a board of advisors to the BBISS; foster the culture and community of sustainability researchers, educators, and students at Georgia Tech; and communicate broadly the vision, mission, values, and objectives of the BBISS. Fellows will work with the BBISS for three years, with the potential for a renewed term.
The BBISS Faculty Fellows program has been in place since 2014. Fellows are drawn from across all seven Georgia Tech Colleges and the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI). BBISS Interim Executive Director Beril Toktay says, "The Fellows' wide-ranging expertise and varied academic paths create exciting opportunities for new partnerships and deeper connections across our sustainability network." The new BBISS Faculty Fellows are:
- Ebenezer Fanijo – Assistant Professor, School of Building Construction
- Katherine Graham – Assistant Professor, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Anthony Harding – Assistant Professor, School of Public Policy
- Yiyi He – Assistant Professor, School of City and Regional Planning
- Pengfei Liu – Assistant Professor, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Johannes Milz – Assistant Professor, H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Micah Ziegler – Assistant Professor, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
These faculty members will join the current roster of BBISS Faculty Fellows.
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