Kathleen Benison, professor of geology, is serving as the 2025-26 Geological Society of America James B. Thompson, Jr. International Distinguished Lecturer.
The lectureship funds distinguished geologists who will present stimulating and cutting-edge geoscience research during two world tours.
Benison will tour seven Australian cities through March to present her research on acid salt lakes, Pangea and the search for life on Mars to universities, geological surveys and other science organizations.
“It's an honor to be entrusted with this lectureship to both communicate my research and serve as an ambassador of the Geological Society of America,” she said. “After 25 years of field and lab study of acid salt lakes in Western Australia, returning as an internationally distinguished lecturer is a thrill.”
Scheduled to present to the Geological Society of London in April, she will tour Europe later this spring.