Aaron Thompson

Promotion to Associate Professor

Miguel Cabrera, Bob Carrow, Glen Harris

Aaron Thompson

• 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