Elizabeth Catlos joined the Dept. of Geological Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin as an Associate Professor in 2009. Before her appointment at UT, Catlos was at Oklahoma State University, where she had been on the faculty since 2001. She is also Affiliate Faculty for UT Austin's Center for Planetary Systems Habitability and Center for Russian and Eastern European Studies. She was a UT Austin Harrington Fellow from 2007-2008 and spent the 2008-2009 academic year as a Fulbright Scholar in the Dept. Geological Engineering at Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey. In the summer of 2015, she was a visiting faculty member at UCLA and spent part of Fall 2017 as a Max Kade Distinguished Visiting Professor at Heidelberg University, Germany. In the summer of 2022, she taught an online class in introductory geology for Soochow University International Programs, Taiwan.
Catlos' research interests are in developing and applying petrochemical and geochemical techniques to the study of lithosphere dynamics. She specializes in accessory mineral geochronology and developing techniques for isotopic microanalysis. She uses geochemical and geochronological data to create and constrain models for heat, mass, and fluid flow along major fault systems. In addition, she is interested in applying new approaches in mineral equilibria to estimate environmental conditions during dynamic recrystallization. She has published widely about how fault systems operate in the Himalayas, Slovakia, and Turkey and how mineral ages time significant events that occurred in the past. She has received funding for her research from the National Science Foundation's International and Tectonics Divisions.
Catlos has received multiple awards for her research, service, and teaching, including the Geological Society of America's Young Scientist Award (Donath Medal), the Carolyn G. and G. Moses Knebel Teaching Award for Introductory Course (GEO401), the Texas Exes Teaching Award, Outstanding Reviewer for Earth and Planetary Science Letters and Outstanding Reviewer for Geological Society of America Bulletin. She is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America.
Catlos was elected to the governing council of the Geological Society of America from 2013 to 2017 and was Program Chair for the South Central Section Meeting of the society in Austin in 2013. As a councilor, she was involved in setting policies in various areas, including publications, and public policy. She recently organized a European Union-IN-TIME RISE: Workshop on geochronology and Mars Exploration (2019).
In addition to her service to the GSA, Catlos has been an ad hoc reviewer for numerous publications, textbooks, and funding agencies. She is on the Editorial Board for the journals Episodes and All Earth (Geodinamica Acta). She is currently editing a three-part book series for the American Geophysical Union on compressional, extensional, and strike-slip tectonics. In addition, she has been Lead Science Reviewer, served on Independent Review Teams for NASA, and participated as a reviewer on numerous NASA panels.
At UT Austin, she serves as the Director of the Geomaterials Characterization and Imaging Facility (GeoMatCI) Facility. She also serves on numerous ad hoc departmental/school-wide committees. She is also involved in international programming on the UT Austin campus, having been involved in the Fulbright Alumni Association and interviewing students who apply for this and other study abroad programs.
Catlos has interests in geosciences and involving undergraduates in geoscience research. She has been Lead Instructor for GeoFORCE, a Jackson School of Geosciences Education program that rewards outstanding students from select South Texas Independent School Districts and Houston schools from grades 8-12. In addition, she served as a lead PI on a National Science Foundation-International Research Experiences for Students program that provides undergraduate students underrepresented in the Earth Sciences an opportunity to conduct hands-on field training and laboratory-based research. She regularly tweets about issues facing women in STEM (@ElizabethCatlos).
Catlos received a Bachelor's degree from the University of California at San Diego, where she majored in Chemistry with a Specialization in Earth Science. She then earned a doctorate in Geochemistry from the University of California at Los Angeles. Immediately after, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
Ph.D.
in Geochemistry, UCLA, 2000
B.S.
in Chemistry with Specialization in Earth Science, UC San Diego, 1994
Can also see https://www.catlos.work/
My primary research focus is <strong>geochemistry</strong>, and how the fundamentals of chemistry (mineral reactions, radiogenic and stable isotopes, major and trace elements) can be and are used to understand what the Earth was like in the past. In this, I have interests that span a broad range of range of plate boundary processes and laboratory approaches. Many ancient fault systems are clues to determine the evolution and migration of Earth's continents in the past, identify important economic resources that formed during specific times in Earth's history, and/or to assess geological hazards that result due to reactivation of older faults or mass movement of rocks. They are used to understand how plate tectonics operates today and how it operated in the past. I am interested in constraining the evolution of a number of fault systems and mountain ranges that formed during the closure of ancient ocean systems primarily across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
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<br>For example, a major portion of my <strong>Himalayan research </strong> agenda involves constraining past motion on the Main Central Thrust, a large-scale shear zone that worked to create the highest mountains on the planet. I currently use novel geochemical and geochronological approaches that take advantage of modern-day technology to understand how <strong> garnet-bearing rocks </strong> moved at a high-resolution scale within that structure. Garnets are chemical tape recorders, and their chemical elements can be used to ascertain the pressures and temperatures they experienced. They also enclose radioactive minerals, such as monazite, that can be dated to time their history. Data from numerous garnet-bearing rocks across the Main Central Thrust can be used to inform us regarding how and when the Himalayas uplifted in the past, and lend insight into the motion that affects it today. To this end, I collaborate and learn from other researchers, such as geophysicists and modelers.
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<br>I apply similar approaches to garnet-bearing rocks found in extensional systems in western <strong>Turkey</strong>. In this region, the plate boundary experienced a major switch in the geological past from compression to extension. Again, I apply new approaches in the thermodynamic modeling and geochronology to garnets in this locale to understand why and how this plate tectonic transition occurred.
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<br>In this portion of my research, I also include the study of <strong>granites</strong>, as these igneous bodies emplaced during the extensional phase. The timing of their formation is key pieces of information regarding how extension occurred in western Turkey, both in time and space. To this end, I pioneered new imaging approaches to their study, and collaborate with economic geologists in Turkey who are interested in how heat and fluid flow around these granite bodies are intricately involved in the formation of ore resources. Their research sparked my interest in granite petrology, and I also study this rock type in China and Slovakia. Some of these granites formed at ancient plate boundaries as continents collided, and their ages and chemistry constrain when and what types of geological processes operated during their formation.
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<br>The approaches I apply (geochemistry and geochronology) are of interest to a wide variety of researchers, so I collaborate and involve students in projects that include other geologists. An example of this is the dating of radioactive minerals from <strong>ancient meteorite impact craters and massive volcanic eruptions</strong>, events that are key for shaping how life evolved in Earth's history. These projects involve the use of modern and ever-evolving <strong>technological advances in geochemistry</strong>, such as the laser ablation of tiny zircon crystals, or the use of instruments that do not require minerals to be separated from rocks, such as secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS).
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<br>I am interested in <strong>accessory minerals</strong>, such as zircon and monazite, and what controls their appearance in metamorphic and igneous rocks. Monazite, in particular, has been a focus of my research and I have key expertise in its formation, composition, geochronology, and its use as a rare earth resource.
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<br>Although my research primarily involves compressional and extensional plate boundaries and igneous and metamorphic rocks, I recently delved into understanding sedimentary rocks from along the North Anatolian Fault, a major strike-slip system in north-central Turkey. In this research, we obtained oxygen isotopes across transects along calcite-filled fractures in limestones using SIMS. These calcite-filled fractures have the potential to record their source and provide key insight into the history of the limestones as well as their use for recording modern day fluid flow driven by seismic activity along the active fault system.
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<br>Fundamentally, my research is <strong>field-based</strong> and involves the mapping and collection of rocks and understanding their importance in addressing research questions regarding what the Earth was like in the past. The research is <strong>laboratory-based</strong>, and I take advantage of modern advances in technology applied to geosciences, including numerous facilities at UT Austin and elsewhere.
Associate Editor,
AGU Books, Wiley Publications (2020)
Associate Editor,
Editorial Board, International Union of Geological Sciences, Episodes (2015)
Councilor/Chair,
Arthur L. Day Medal Awards Committee, Geological Society of America (2015 - 2016)
Associate Editor/Editorial Board member,
Geodinamica Acta: The European Journal of Geodynamics, Geodinamica Acta (2015)
Liaison,
Student Advisory Council, Geological Society of America (2015 - 2017)
Member,
Ad hoc committee focused on IIGs and Divisions, Geological Society of America (2015 - 2017)
Councilor/Conferee (Non-Voting),
Diversity in the Geosciences Committee, Geological Society of America (2014 - 2017)
Councilor,
Doris M.Curtis Memorial Fund for Women in Science Committee, Geological Society of America (2014 - 2016)
Liaison,
Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Petrology, Volcanology Division, Geological Society of America (2014 - 2017)
Liaison,
Structural Geology and Tectonics Division, Geological Society of America (2013 - 2017)
Elected Councilor,
Geological Society of America Council, Geological Society of America (2013 - 2017)
Standing Review Board Member,
Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer-Mass Spectrometer (MOMA-MS), Mars Program Office (MPO) Intake/Entrance Review, NASA (2013 - 2014)
Leader,
Workshop for Early Career Geoscience Faculty, On the Cutting Edge (2013)
Reviewer,
Review of the Faculty Activities Report electronic system, UT Austin (2013)
Reviewer,
Selection Committee for Faculty-Led Programs for Summer Abroad, UT Austin (2013)
Chair,
South Central Section Management Board, Geological Society of America (2013)
Presenter,
Event to promote STEM education/careers for girls through Earth Science education, GirlTalk (2013)
Member-at-Large,
Young Scientist Award Committee-Donath Medal, Geological Society of America (2012 - 2015)
Vice Chair,
South Central Section Management Board, Geological Society of America (2012 - 2013)
Co-Chair,
GSA Annual Meeting Session 207 Advances in Mineralogy and Petrology, Geological Society of America (2012)
Undergraduate Advisor,
Dept. Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences (2012 - 2013)
Lead Science Instructor,
10th Grade Arizona GeoForce Field Trip, GeoForce (2012)
Reviewer,
Committee to interview and mentor UT students applying for the Fulbright Study Abroad program, UT Austin (2012)
Undergraduate Advisor,
Environmental Science program, Environmental Science Institute-Dept. Geol. Sciences (2012 - 2013)
Lead Science Instructor,
10th Grade Arizona GeoForce Field Trip, GeoForce (2011)
Reviewer,
Committee to interview and mentor UT students applying for the Fulbright Study Abroad program, UT Austin (2011)
Panel Member,
Mars Science Laboratory Participating Scientist Review, NASA (2011)
Independent Review Team Member,
Independent Review of the MOMA - Laser Desorption Mass Spectrometer (LDMS), NASA (2010)
Invited participant,
Workshop Planning Activity to highlight best practices that integrate across multiple dimensions of university internationalization, particularly in science and engineering areas, NSF-Office of International Science and Engineering (2010)
Expert Witness,
93rd Judicial District, Hidalgo Country, Texas, Griffith and Garza, L.L.P. (2010)
Panel Member,
Astrobiology Science & Technology for Exploring Planets, NASA (2010)
Lead Science Instructor,
10th Grade Arizona GeoForce Field Trip, GeoForce (2010)
Reviewer,
Committee to interview and mentor UT students applying for the Fulbright Study Abroad program, UT Austin (2010)
Board Member,
South Central Section Management Board, Geological Society of America (2009)
Campus Representative,
Campus Representative for the Fulbright Program for the University of Texas, Austin, Fulbright (2009)
Vice President,
Austin Chapter of the Fulbright Alumni Association, Fulbright Alumni Association (2009)
Panel Member,
Review of instruments Urey: Mars Organic and Oxidant Detector and Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA), NASA (2007)
Panel Member,
Planetary Instrument Definition and Development Program, NASA (2007)
Co-Chair,
Fall AGU Meeting, Extensional Tectonics in the Basin and Range Province of North America and the Aegean Region of Eastern Europe and Western Anatolia Session, American Geophysical Union (2007)
Co-Chair,
GSA Annual Meeting Session T53 Teaching Instrumentation to Geoscience Students: Course Design, Objectives, and Presentations, Geological Society of America (2006)
Co-Chair,
Fall AGU Meeting, Post-Collisional Extension Session, American Geophysical Union (2006)
Lead Science Reviewer,
Planetary Instrument Definition and Development Program, NASA (2005)
Lead Science Reviewer,
Mars Science Laboratory/Sample Analysis at Mars, NASA (2005)
Panel Member,
Interdisciplinary Exploration Science Review, NASA (2005)
Co-Chair,
Fall AGU Meeting, Extensional Tectonics and Metamorphic Core Complexes: Their Metamorphic, Petrographic, and Kinematic Evolution Session, American Geophysical Union (2005)
Co-Chair,
GSA Annual Meeting Session T87 Recent Advances in Himalayan Geology, Geological Society of America (2004)
Panel Member,
Mars Science Laboratory Panel, NASA (2004)
Panel Member,
Mars Instrumentation and Development Panel, NASA (2003)
Panel Member,
Tectonics Panel, National Science Foundation (2002)
Co-Chair,
GSA Annual Meeting Session 6 Metamorphic Petrology I, Geological Society of America (2001)
Co-Chair,
Fall AGU Meeting, Thermal Structure of Tibetan and Himalayan Lithosphere: Implications for Geodynamic Models of the India-Asia Collision Session, American Geophysical Union (1999)
Max Kade Distinguished Visiting Professor
- Heidelberg University (2017 - 2017)
Carolyn G. and G. Moses Outstanding Teaching Award for Introductory Geoscience Course (GEO401)
- UT Austin (2015)
Outstanding Reviewer, Earth and Planetary Science Letters
- Elsevier (2015)
Notable Paper for Catlos (2013) "Generalizations about monazite: Implications for geochronologic studies" American Mineralogist
- Mineralogical Society of America (2013)
Texas Exes Teaching Award
- Texas Exes (2011)
Fulbright Lecturing Award
- Fulbright (2008 - 2009)
Donald D. Harrington Fellowship
- University of Texas at Austin (2007 - 2008)
Fellow of the Geological Society of America
- Geological Society of America (2007)
Young Scientist Award (Donath Medal)
- Geological Society of America (2006)
Junior Faculty Award
- Oklahoma State University (2006)
Outstanding Reviewer
- Geological Society of America Bulletin (2006)
Fellow
- Institute for Geophysics and Planetary Physics (2000)
Predoctoral Fellowship
- Smithsonian Institution (1997)
Summer Research Fellowship
- NASA Specialized Center for Research and Training in Exobiology (1994)
New insights into the uplift of the Himalayas through advances in metamorphic petrology,
Heidelberg University, Institute of Earth Sciences, Heidelberg, Germany (2017)
New insights into the uplift of the Himalayas through advances in metamorphic petrology,
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Dept. Earth and Environmental Sciences, Munich, Germany (2017)
Response to slab roll-back: Revealing the geodynamic history of western Turkey from the Biga Peninsula to the Menderes Massif,
Geological Society of America 2016 GSA Topical Session, Denver, Colorado (2016)
Timing subduction processes via in situ (in thin section) zircon and baddeleyite geochronology: Examples from northern Turkey,
Geological Society of America 2015 GSA Topical Session, Baltimore, Maryland (2015)
Invited Seminar,
Louisiana State University, Dept. Geological Sciences, (2013)
Invited Seminar,
Undergraduate Geological Society, UT Austin, Dept. Geological Sciences, (2011)
Invited Seminar,
Pennsylvania State University, Geosciences Department (departmental talk), (2010)
Invited Seminar,
Pennsylvania NASA Space Grant Consortium (general talk to broader community), (2010)
Invited Seminar,
University of Arkansas, Department of Geology, (2008)
Invited Seminar,
Texas Earth Science Revolution program, Austin, TX (2008)
Invited Seminar,
Yale University, Department of Geology and Geophysics, (2007)
Invited Seminar,
University of Michigan, Department of Geological Sciences, (2007)
Invited Seminar,
UT Austin Jackson School of Earth Sciences, (2007)
Invited Seminar,
Virginia Tech., Blacksburg, Department of Geosciences, (2006)
Invited Seminar,
San Francisco State University, Department of Geology, (2005)
Invited Seminar,
University of Houston, Department of Geosciences, (2005)
Invited Seminar,
University of Missouri-Columbia, Dept. of Geological Sciences, (2005)
Invited Seminar,
Utah State University, Department of Geology, (2004)
Invited Seminar,
University of Kansas, Department of Geology, (2004)
Invited Seminar,
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Department of Geosciences, (2004)
Invited Seminar,
UT Dallas, Department of Geosciences, (2004)
Invited Seminar,
Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Department of Geology Seminar Series, (2003)
Invited Seminar,
UT Austin, Jackson School of Earth Sciences, (2003)
Invited Seminar,
Arkansas-Oklahoma Center for Space and Planetary Sciences, (2002)
Invited Seminar,
Oklahoma State University-Phillips Petroleum, Electron Microprobe Presentation, (2002)
Invited Seminar,
Kansas State University, Department of Geology, (2002)
Invited Seminar,
University of Kansas, Department of Geology, (2002)
Invited Seminar,
University of Oklahoma, School of Geology and Geophysics, (2002)
Invited Seminar,
University of California, Riverside, Dept. of Earth Science, (2001)
Invited Seminar,
Florida State University; Dept. Geological Sciences; 2 talks, (2001)
Invited Seminar,
Oklahoma State University; Boone Pickens School of Geology, (2001)
