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AGU Elections: Candidates for 2010–2012 Union Officers, Board of Directors and Sections Officers
Candidates for Union Officers
Carol A. Finn—President–elect
James L. Burch—President–elect
Curtis A. Collins—General Secretary
Lisa Tauxe—General Secretary
Francis Albarède—International Secretary
Jaime Urrutia Fucugauchi—International Secretary
Union Officer Roles and Responsibilities
Biographies and Statements
Carol A. Finn—Union President–elect
Major research interests include geological interpretation of potential field data, volcano hazards, and tectonics. B.A., geology, 1978, Wellesley College; M.S., geophysics, 1982, and Ph.D., geophysics, 1988, University of Colorado. USGS employee since 1978. Visiting (Gledden) fellow, University of Western Australia, 2002; visiting fellow, Japan Geological Survey, 1990–1992; member, Department of Geological Sciences Advisory Board, University of Colorado (2002–2006); member, advisory board for the Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets, University of Kansas (2005 to present). Eighty-one refereed publications, 23 in AGU publications. Most significant contributions include magnetic and electromagnetic imaging of collapse-prone, water-saturated, altered portions of several Cascade volcanoes; geophysical mapping of subice geology in Antarctica relevant for ice sheet dynamics and climate change studies; and potential field delineation of modern and ancient subduction systems. Annual USGS awards for project management (1999–2007); U.S. Board of Geographic Names named Finn Spur in Antarctica (79°17'S, 156°'37'E) in recognition of Antarctic project leadership (2002); fellow of the Geological Society of America (2004); Department of the Interior Superior Service Award (2007), Colorado School of Mines Heiland Lecturer (2007). AGU service as member (1992–1998), chair (1998–2002), and ex officio member (2006 to present) of the Budget and Finance Committee; member of the special committee on section structure (2001); member (2002–2004) and chair (2004–2006) of the Statutes and Bylaws Committee; ex officio member (2006 to present) of the Audit and Legal Affairs Committee; member of the Future Focus Task Force (2008–2009); member of Strategic Planning Committee (1998–2002; 2006–2007; 2009 to present); chair of the Executive Review Committee (2006 to present) and general secretary (2006 to present).
Statement: I know of no greater honor than to serve AGU as its president. AGU's preeminence as the best Earth and space science society and emphasis on scientific excellence led me to join at the beginning of my career. During my nearly 30 years as a member, AGU's growth in size and increased focus on interdisciplinary science have facilitated the connection of my science with that of colleagues in many disciplines throughout the world. For the past three and a half years I have served as general secretary, part of the team that has led changes in the way that AGU conducts its business in order to create a more responsive, modern, and inclusive organization that will better serve you, our members, and better adapt to our rapidly evolving global scientific environment. This leadership has resulted in a new governance structure and a more inclusive and progressive strategic planning process. As supervisor of both the former and interim executive directors and chair of the search committee for the new executive director, I have learned how to work collaboratively with the executive director to achieve AGU's mission. As treasurer of AGU, and with nearly 13 years on the Budget and Finance Committee and 4 years on both the Audit and Legal Affairs and Statutes and Bylaws committees, I am intimately familiar with the fiscal and legal affairs of AGU, well positioning me to help the new Board of Directors focus its efforts in these areas. The changes of the past 2 years are just the beginning of many to come. The next president will face a new series of challenges and must work with the new volunteer leadership to achieve broad consensus on how we advance AGU. My service on the Future Focus Task Force and Council has provided me with much experience on the processes required to build consensus.
If elected, I will be the first president-elect to chair the new Council, with the first duty being to help the Council organize itself effectively. As I have done during my past service, I will seek out and engage a wide range of constituent voices, including student and international members, to make AGU more transparent and responsive. I will ensure that the Council, sections, focus groups, Board, and staff are linked as true partners to serve the membership, and will increase the use of technology to more effectively link members with AGU science. In the area of publications I will confront the challenges of open access in a responsible manner while maintaining the quality of our science. I will explore ways to make AGU meetings more accessible to a broader and distant audience. In Outreach I will work with members to more effectively link them and AGU with the media and government. In education I will ensure that AGU's investment has maximum impact on the largest possible audience. I welcome this opportunity to help AGU expand its role to advance Earth and space science and contribute to the critical challenges facing humanity today.
James L. Burch—Union President–elect
Major areas of interest are plasma processes in planetary magnetospheres (Earth and Saturn) and in cometary environments. B.S., physics, 1964, St. Mary's University, San Antonio, Tex.; Ph.D., space science, 1968, Rice University; M.S.A., R&D management, 1973, George Washington University. Officer in the U.S. Army, 1968–1971; space scientist, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, 1971–1974, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, 1974–1977; Southwest Research Institute, 1977 to present, vice president since 1984. Member, International Academy of Astronautics (1999 to present); Lifetime National Associate of the National Academies (2003 to present); American Institute of Physics governing board (2001–2006; chair, Audit Committee); National Research Council (NRC) Committee on Solar and Space Physics (chair, 2000–2004); NRC Space Studies Board (2000–2004). Editor for magnetospheres and interplanetary matter, Space Science Reviews (2006 to present). Over 220 refereed publications, 140 in AGU journals. Most significant accomplishment has been as principal investigator for the NASA IMAGE mission, the first mission dedicated to imaging the Earth's magnetosphere (Burch, J. L., et al., Views of Earth's magnetosphere with the IMAGE satellite, Science, 291, 619–624, 2001; Burch, J. L., Magnetospheric imaging: Promise to reality, Rev. Geophys., 43, RG3001, doi:10.1029/2004RG000160, 2005). Current research focuses on Saturn's magnetosphere (e.g., Burch, J. L., et al., Properties of local plasma injections in Saturn's magnetosphere, Geophys. Res. Lett., 32, L14S02, doi:10.1029/2005GL022611, 2005; Burch, J. L., et al., On the cause of Saturn's plasma periodicity, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L14105, doi:10.1029/2008GL034951, 2008) and on magnetic reconnection as the instrument suite science team principal investigator for the NASA Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (launch in 2014). AGU Van Allen Lecturer, 2001; Rice University Marlar Lectureship, 2001; first recipient of Chinese Academy of Sciences/COSPAR Jeoujang Jaw Award, which recognizes distinguished pioneering contributions to promoting space research, establishing new space science research branches, and founding new exploration programs, 2008. Distinguished Alumnus, St. Mary's University, 1987. AGU service on Fleming Medal Committee (1992–1994), Meetings Committee (1994–1996; chair, 2004–2008), Committee on Public Affairs (chair, 1998–2000), Development Board, ex officio as chair of Voluntary Contribution Campaign (2008 to present), AGU President's Club (2007 to present); president-elect (1994–1996) and president (1996–1998) of Space Physics and Aeronomy section; Geophysical Research Letters, editor (1989–1990), editor in chief (1990–1993).
Statement: I am honored to be nominated for AGU president-elect and am eager to take on this challenge. Since joining AGU I have been privileged to serve as journal editor, committee member and chair, and section president. My service has given me valuable insight into how AGU operates, supports its members, and informs society about Earth and space science. If elected, I will strive to enhance AGU's efforts in the areas of scientific communication, education and outreach, and public advocacy. I strongly support AGU's tradition of openness to Earth and space scientists across all political and demographic boundaries, with particular emphasis on underrepresented groups, and will seek to optimize communication within the worldwide Earth and space science community through closer coordination with other societies such as the European Geosciences Union. Education is a vital part of AGU's mission, and we must continue to seek effective ways to encourage primary and secondary students to learn about our science and view it with excitement. For example, Earth in Space was a valuable classroom tool for teachers; I support reviving it, perhaps in the form of a Web-based publication. We must help college students obtain meaningful degrees and employment and help early-career scientists achieve prominence rapidly because these groups are the future of AGU. A crucial aspect of our educational mission is to educate the public and elected officials about the importance of Earth and space science because public support is vital for the health of our research. A key priority will be to increase AGU's public profile as the authoritative voice on Earth and space science. To increase the resources available for these important programs, we should encourage a graduated program of contributions to AGU by all members who can afford it, starting with nominal amounts in early career and building up later on. As chair of the Voluntary Contribution Campaign, I have learned that this goal is best accomplished by responding effectively to the needs of all members and providing better information on how the contributed funds are used. A further priority will be to review AGU's excellent publications program to identify any research areas (such as climate change) that might be better represented through new cross-disciplinary journals. As president of Space Physics and Aeronomy I learned firsthand how the interests of individual AGU scientists can best be supported. I strongly support the new governance structure of AGU because I believe it will allow members better access to the decision makers for all Union programs and provide improved accountability for actions that are taken. A significant challenge for the immediate future is to ensure AGU's financial health as it responds to the emerging requirement for open access to research publications. While I have strong opinions about many matters of importance to AGU, I welcome new ideas and am willing to modify my views. I invite you to share with me your views about AGU's priorities and future.
Curtis A. Collins—Union General Secretary
Major area of interest is global ocean circulation including synoptic measurement systems and ocean forecasting. Most recent work has been in the California Current system carrying out experiments at sea using shipboard hydrography, Lagrangian floats, and acoustic tomography. B.S. (with highest honors), 1962, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; M.S., 1964, and Ph.D., 1968, Oregon State University. Naval Reserve service to the rank of captain including commanding officer of three meteorology units, 1963–1996. Spring 1964, instructor, Chapman College. Served part time as Merchant Marine officer, 1963–1968. Research scientist, Pacific Oceanographic Group, Nanaimo, British Columbia, 1968–1969. Senior technical advisor, Cities Service Oil Company, Tulsa, Okla., 1970–1971. Program manager (Environmental Forecasting and Physical Oceanography), National Science Foundation, Washington, D. C., 1972–1987. Visiting scientist, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1984. Faculty positions (1987 to present) at the Naval Postgraduate School including chairman, Oceanography Department (1987–1994), and faculty chairman (2002); faculty awards at the Naval Postgraduate School include Outstanding Oceanography Teaching Award (1999) and Outstanding Oceanography Research Award (1997). Fall 1998, visiting professor, University of California, Santa Cruz. Visiting scholar, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 2004. Foreign member of the Oceanographic Society of Japan, 1968 to present. Member, board of directors, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (1987 to present; service on Budget, Audit, and Research committees; currently member of Executive Committee). Member, University National Oceanographic Laboratory System Council, 2001–2006, Admiral Emory S. Land Award for Naval Architecture, 1962. National Science Foundation graduate fellowship, 1963–1964. Armed Forces Reserve Medal, 1973, 1983, 1993. AGU Ocean Sciences Award, 1985. Meritorious Service Award, National Science Foundation, 1987. Commissioner, Moss Landing Harbor District, 1992–1994 (president, board of commissioners, 1994). Fulbright-Garcia Robles Fellow, Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, 1995. Managing editor for 17 English-language translations of German, Russian, and Japanese oceanography publications, 1978–1993. AGU service as president, Ocean Sciences section, 1992–1994; member, Meetings Committee, 1990–1992; Budget and Finance Committee, 1992–1994; Flinn Award Committee, 1993; Nominations Committee, 1998–2000; Publications Committee, 2002–2006 (chair, 2004–2006; chair, Board of Journal Editors, 2002–2004); Statutes and Bylaws Committee, 2006 to present. Editor (Oceanography), Geophysical Research Letters, 1996–1999. Associate editor, Journal of Oceanic and Atmospheric Technology, 2009 to present. Author or coauthor of 70 publications, 17 in AGU journals.
Statement: AGU has served as my primary professional affiliation since 1967. The reason is that I always learn something new when I attend an AGU meeting or read an AGU journal. The scope of the Union has been especially critical to understanding more broadly the impacts of my research or learning new ways of thinking about the problems I am attempting to solve. I have very much treasured the values of AGU: integrity and openness, sharing of ideas and data, listening to scientific talks from medalists and graduate students in the same session, collective responsibility of the members for the programs and progress of the Union, member editors with limited terms, and the very high standards that the Union sets for its fellows. By its breadth and diversity, the Union forms a unique forum for discussion of scientific issues related to Earth and space sciences. Within AGU, participation of scientists of many nations is key to addressing global problems.
During the past 2 years, AGU leadership has taken an intensive look at how to strengthen the ability of the Union to execute its strategic plan, achieve long-term goals, and maintain the Union as a preeminent scientific society. An important outcome of these activities has been the recently approved governance changes, which have created a new Board of Directors. The Board is accountable for the management of AGU and ensuring the execution of the strategic plan. Decisions should be transparent to the membership. Management oversight must be given careful and deliberate attention. These activities will require collaboration and consensus building, teamwork, communication skills and a lot of time and effort.
My leadership experience and AGU service are described above. I worked extensively in Washington, D.C., and am familiar with how the federal government and Congress support basic research. I have managed international multidisciplinary research programs, transitioned departmental research from internal to external support, contributed to the growth and excellence of a new ocean research institute, published basic research papers, and provided operational support for commercial and naval activities. After 2 decades of service on a variety of AGU committees, I have a good understanding of how the Union functions. Most important, I am at a point in my career where I can devote the necessary time to the duties of general secretary and will do so to the best of my abilities, if elected.
Lisa Tauxe—Union General Secretary
Major research interests include the behavior of the ancient geomagnetic field, and applications of paleomagnetism to geological problems. B.S., 1978, Yale University; M.A. (1980), M.Phil. (1982), and Ph.D. (1983), paleomagnetism, Columbia University. Assistant research geophysicist (1983–1986), assistant professor/researcher, University of California, San Diego (1986–1988); associate professor/researcher (1988–1994); professor/researcher at Scripps Institution of Oceanography(SIO) (1994 to present); Member, editorial board for Earth and Planetary Science Letters (1996 to present). Member, science advisory board of the Beijing Paleomagnetism and Geochronology Laboratory (2006 to present). Member, Research Advisory Committee of the Institute for Rock Magnetism (2005–2007). Member, Magnetics Information Consortium Database Team and Meta-data Committee (2005 to present). Authored over 150 refereed publications, 44 in AGU journals, among them: Tauxe, L., Sedimentary records of relative paleointensity of the geomagnetic field in sediments: Theory and practice, Rev. Geophys., 31, 319–354, 1993; Tauxe, L., and D. V. Kent, A simplified statistical model for the geomagnetic field and the detection of shallow bias in paleomagnetic inclinations: Was the ancient magnetic field dipolar?, in Timescales of the Paleomagnetic Field, Geophys. Monogr. Ser., vol. 145, edited by J. E. T. Channell et al., pp. 101–116, 2004; Ben-Yosef, E., et al., Application of copper slag in archeointensity research, J. Geophys. Res., 113, B08101, doi:10.1029/2007JB005235, 2008. Geological Society of America's George P. Woollard Award, 2003; JOI Distinguished Lecturer, 2001; Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study Invited Speaker (2007). Fellow of AGU and GSA. AGU service as life supporting member, member of the Fellows Committee (2006–2008), chair of the GP Fellows Committee (2000–2002), GP section president-elect (2000–2002) and president (2002–2004).
Statement: I am honored to be nominated to run for general secretary of AGU. During more than 30 years as an AGU member and volunteer, I have seen the organization grow in number and diversity of membership and flourish intellectually and financially. My first AGU meeting was held in a single hotel, and although it seemed huge at the time, by today's standards it was quite "cozy." The tremendous growth of AGU and its success as an interdisciplinary, international Earth and space society are due in part to its strong financial base resulting from careful investments in its building and the financial markets and establishment of a development program. However, changes in the financial world around AGU, the prospect of open access for federally funded research, demand by members for a more public face for AGU, etc., will require innovative strategies to keep AGU financially sound while being responsive to its increasingly diverse membership.
The role of general secretary has changed along with the new governing structure of AGU. He or she will serve as the Union's treasurer, ex officio member on the Audit Committee, a member of the Executive Committee of the new Board of Directors of AGU (the new governing board responsible for the business affairs of the Union), and the direct connection between the Board and the staff. The most critical duties will be to help ensure AGU's financial health, to conduct the annual financial audit, and to align the budget with the strategic plan. In these strained times, the job will be challenging, especially given the need to replace the funding traditionally provided by publication activities with other sources of funds.
As an AGU member and section officer I have sought to share the excitement of science with my fellow members and with the general public, and as the director of undergraduate education at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, I have tried to maintain the excellence of our educational offerings in an environment of decreasing financial resources. I have found that when the goal is worthy and the strategy for reaching it is clearly articulated, people generally pitch in to do what needs to be done. It is part of the job of the general secretary to ensure such transparent and inclusive leadership at AGU. As general secretary I will help shape the AGU of the future, by guaranteeing that (1) the fiscal, legal, and operational underpinnings of AGU remain strong and able to best use its resources to serve its members, (2) AGU's budget is aligned with its strategic plan, (3) there is transparency in the cost of services and dues, (4) funding for programs is based on strategy and available resources, (5) reserves are sustained, and (6) new funding models are developed that support programs critical to AGU's mission as defined by member requests through the strategic planning process.
Francis Albarède—Union International Secretary
Current fields of interest are (1) geochemistry of the interior of the Earth: analytical developments, physics and chemistry of mantle dynamics; (2) planets and the solar nebula: the early history of terrestrial planets and how one of them became our Earth; (3) cross-field applications of geochemical concepts and analytical techniques: biology, archeometry. Undergraduate studies in Montpellier, France. Ph.D. in geochronology from the University of Paris 7 (1976). Assistant professor at University of Montpellier (1969–1971) and University of Paris 7 (1971–1977). Postdoctoral fellow at California Institute of Technology (1977–1978). Associate professor at École Nationale Supérieure de Géologie in Nancy (1979–1991). Full professor at École Normale Supérieure in Lyon (1991 to present). Member of the Geochemical Society. Member of the Academia Europae. Published 175 articles in refereed journals and four books. Geochemistry Fellow of the European Association and the Geochemical Society; Fellow of AGU. Silver Medal of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Arthur Holmes Medal of the European Union of Geosciences, Norman Bowen Award of AGU, Goldschmidt Award of the Geochemical Society. Panel member for CNRS, National Science Foundation, and NASA. Associate editor of Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta (1985–1993) and Chemical Geology (1987–2000). Editor of Earth and Planetary Science Letters (1993–2000) and senior editor of Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth (2001–2004). Chair of the AGU Publications Committee (2006–2010).
Statement: By one of the quirks of language evolution in the United States, the AGU international secretary is not an international but a non–North American officer of the Union. Since a third of the AGU membership is non–North American, such an office is far more than honorific. The major task of the international secretary is to remind the Council and the leadership that not all policies are elaborated in Washington, that myriads of educational curricula coexist in a world of uneven economic wealth, and that expressing oneself in English may be in the way of even the simplest tasks all scientists have to grapple with.
AGU is to date the most successful scientific organization within the Earth and planetary science community but now faces unprecedented economic, environmental, scientific, and social challenges. Its governance is going through what is probably its first major overhaul since the Union was founded over 90 years ago, and these changes are hardly optional. The rise of new countries and continents, such as China, India, Africa, and South America, as major scientific contenders poses new issues that beg for less parochial, more creative, and more generous solutions than those of our past glory days. The global environment has invited itself to the table of geophysicists, and the civil society is looking up to all of us, expecting solutions for a choking planet.
What I have to offer is a broad scientific interest, a 2-decades-long experience with scientific publishing, inside knowledge of AGU, and genuine interest in supporting growing scientific fields, emerging talents, and the untapped genius of underrepresented minorities and cultures. As a former senior editor of the Journal of Geophysical Research and current chair of the Publications Committee, and as a member since 1971, I always found attentive ears and friendly support within AGU. Non-U.S. members have always been offered significant responsibilities within the Union. It is now payback time, and my ambition, as AGU International Secretary, is to be an articulate spokesperson for the international membership.
Jaime Urrutia Fucugauchi—Union International Secretary
Major areas of interest include paleomagnetism, rock magnetism, stratigraphy, gravity, crustal structure, tectonics. Recent interest focuses on Chicxulub impact crater, K/T boundary, paleoclimates. Cooperation studies conducted with colleagues from various countries including United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, Spain, India, France, Germany, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Peru, Morocco, and Thailand. Ph.D., geophysics, 1980, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. M.S., B.S., 1976, UNAM. Director, Geophysics Institute, UNAM, 1997–2005. Chairman, Department of Exploration Geophysics, 1988–1997. Treasurer, Mexican Academy of Sciences, 2004–2006; president, Mexican Union for Quaternary Studies, 2002–2005; president, Mexican Geophysical Union, 1985–1988; member of advisory scientific committees, Mexican Research Technology Council, Academy of Sciences, International Continental Drilling Program. Thesis advisor to 46 postgraduate students. Coauthored 180 refereed articles, 25 in AGU publications. Edited special volumes of Tectonophysics, Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, Quaternary International, Geofisica Internacional, and Meteoritics and Planetary Science. Associate editor, Journal Geophysical Research, 1993–1995; Geological Society of America Bulletin, 1999–2001; Quaternary Research, 2005 to present; Geofisica Internacional, 1994 to present; Geologica Acta, 2002 to present; Revista Mexicana Ciencias Geologicas, 2002 to present. Awards include Mexican Academy of Sciences, 1991; Organization of American States, 1992; Mexican Geophysical Union, 1992; National Science Puebla, 1988; National University Award, 2007. Member, International Year of Planet Earth board of directors, 2007 to present; American Institute of Physics board of directors, 2008 to present. Fellow, TWAS Academy of Sciences for the Developing World, 2004; chair, TWAS Mexico chapter, 2009 to present. AGU service as chairman, AGU Latin-American Regional Advisory Committee, 1991–1994; associate editor, Journal of Geophysical Research, 1993–1995; member, Meetings Committee, 2004–2008; program chair, Joint Assembly, Acapulco, 2007; chair, International Participation Committee, 2006 to present, and international secretary.
Statement: I feel privileged to be asked to serve AGU as international secretary. AGU's emphasis on scientific excellence and its vision as a worldwide scientific community that advances the Earth and space sciences through unselfish cooperation in research led me to join at the beginning of my career. In the past 3 decades as a member, AGU's goals, which include supporting the growth and effective networking of a diverse group of Earth and space scientists and facilitating integration of current and emerging fields and disciplines, have had a major impact, providing opportunities and connections with colleagues throughout the world. Service on AGU committees, and on the Council and the Executive Committee, has broadened my perspective of AGU's international breadth and provided insights into challenges and needs as well as on strengths and capabilities of the Union, while my multicultural heritage and nationality give me a perspective on science requirements in developing countries and international cooperation. During my term as international secretary, I have been serving on the Executive Committee that has led changes in strategic planning and governance in order to strengthen AGU. This has provided me with unique experience on the work the new Board of Directors and the expanded science-focused Council will undertake.
With more than 55,000 members from more than 135 countries, AGU needs to develop new programs and strengthen activities that transcend geographic boundaries and to work cooperatively with other national, regional, and international scientific societies to maintain scientific excellence. Significant growth has been in focus groups and sections, with inclusion of interdisciplinary and emergent research fields. AGU's inclusiveness is certainly one of its major valuable strengths, and AGU is moving forward to inclusiveness in leadership, committees, and staff.
If elected, I am committed to working closely and effectively with the Board, Council, membership, and staff to promote and facilitate international involvement within the community. I want to continue to expand AGU's collaborations and partnerships and to promote and facilitate scientific exchange and cooperation with other societies. Actions have been implemented and begun to bear fruits, but continued efforts are critical. Increased use of technology, an international newsletter, a joint-societies one-stop Web site, and networking and partnerships provide effective links to members. I will give special attention to significantly expanding programs on student and young career scientist travel grants, education, outreach, the Berkner program, fellowships and awards, new electronic and networking facilities, online remote access to meetings and publications, Chapman conferences in developing countries, and sponsored meetings and activities that facilitate and enhance virtual communication. The Committee on International Participation will be instrumental in developing actions and supporting other committees regarding international involvements and perspectives. International and student membership currently represents ~36% and ~20%, respectively, but scientists and students from developing countries are not well represented and have limited participation in AGU activities. In several countries, members are few and limited by poor Internet facilities and inadequate infrastructure. In the short and long term, promoting and facilitating interactions and cooperation among scientists from diverse regions and disciplines will strength and benefit AGU, the global scientific community, and society.