Kathleen Campbell (geologist)

Kathleen Campbell
Campbell in 2020
Born
Kathleen Ann Campbell

California[1]
Other namesStonehistorian
Alma materUniversity of Southern California
Scientific career
Fieldscold seeps
InstitutionsUniversity of Auckland
Thesis

Kathleen Ann Campbell is an American-born[1] New Zealand geology and astrobiology academic. She is currently a full professor at the University of Auckland.[2] Her work is broadly centred in the topic of paleoecology and how ancient organisms interacted with their environment and whether they were capable of surviving under extremely hard conditions. Much of her research carries wide-ranged associations with questions about the origin of life and the possibility of life on Mars. She graduated from the University of Southern California and she is currently a full professor at the University of Auckland.[3]

Academic career

During Campbell's high school years she studied many fields including: English, French, Humanities, Biology, Chemistry and Math.[4] She attended the University of California, where she earned a Bachelor of Science. She earned a Master’s degree from the University of Washington, and a PhD in Geology at the University of Southern California.[5] Shortly after a geology PhD at University of Southern California in the USA titled, 'Dynamic Development Of Jurassic-Pliocene Cold-Seeps, Convergent Margin Of Western North America' Campbell moved to the University of Auckland in New Zealand, eventually rising to full professor.[2] In 1997, Campbell was appointed from a post-doctoral position in the Exobiology Branch at the NASA Ames Research Center into teaching and researching in the areas of paleoenvironment and paleoecology as a member of the Geology Department of the University of Auckland.

Campbell's research is on determining the link between life and its environment, particularly on the microscopic level and potentially on other planets. Becoming the head of the astrobiology research group in earth sciences, she has been able to delve deeper into her investigation through experimentation involving the activities of mineral and geothermal resources through observing gas hydrates and hydrocarbon seeps. She has also carried out experiments involving geo fluids and their effects on the planet’s life forms and crust which have contributed to the focal point of her research and to an improved understanding of the discovery of life on Mars.[3] Within her research, she puts a specific emphasis on a subcategory within her main focus: life in extreme environments.[2] In order to explore this she utilises trace fossils for indicators of ancient shorelines and sea level changes,[5] sedimentology, and paragenesis.[2]

In 2016 Campbell was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand.[6][7][8] In 2017, Campbell was selected as one of the Royal Society Te Apārangi's "150 women in 150 words", celebrating the contributions of women to knowledge in New Zealand.[3]

Much of Campbell's most-cited research involves cold seeps.[citation needed]

Awards and societies

Selected works

  • Campbell, Kathleen A. "Hydrocarbon seep and hydrothermal vent paleoenvironments and paleontology: past developments and future research directions." Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 232, no. 2-4 (2006): 362–407.
  • Campbell, K. A., J. D. Farmer, and D. Des Marais. "Ancient hydrocarbon seeps from the Mesozoic convergent margin of California: carbonate geochemistry, fluids and palaeoenvironments." Geofluids 2, no. 2 (2002): 63–94.
  • Herdianita, N. R., P. R. L. Browne, K. A. Rodgers, and K. A. Campbell. "Mineralogical and textural changes accompanying ageing of silica sinter." Mineralium deposita 35, no. 1 (2000): 48–62.
  • Campbell, Kathleen A., and David J. Bottjer. "Brachiopods and chemosymbiotic bivalves in Phanerozoic hydrothermal vent and cold seep environments." Geology 23, no. 4 (1995): 321–324.
  • Campbell, K. A. "Fossil cold seeps." National Geographic Research and Exploration 9 (1993): 326–343.

References

  1. ^ a b "The mists of time".
  2. ^ a b c d "Professor Kathleen Campbell – The University of Auckland". Env.auckland.ac.nz. 2 January 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  3. ^ a b c "Professor Kathleen Campbell". Royal Society Te Apārangi. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  4. ^ "Kathleen Campbell". Curious Minds, He Hihiri i te Mahara. 30 November 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Professor Kathleen Campbell – The University of Auckland". www.science.auckland.ac.nz. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Professor Kathleen Campbell is appointed Fellow of the RSNZ –". Astrobiology.nz. 29 September 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  7. ^ "Congratulations to Professor Kathy Campbell – The University of Auckland". Env.auckland.ac.nz. 28 October 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Royal Society Te Apārangi – 2016 Professor Kathleen Campbell FRSNZ". Royalsociety.org.nz. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  9. ^ a b c d "Professor Kathy Campbell – ASTROBIOLOGY.NZ". Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  10. ^ "Recipients". Royal Society Te Apārangi. Retrieved 15 December 2020.