POTSDAM - Allen M. Gontz has been appointed professor of applied geology in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Clarkson University.

Gontz is a quaternary geologist/geomorphologist who uses high-resolution, shallow-earth geophysics to assess process-form relationships within landscape changes in areas impacted by recent processes.

His research interests are in the impacts of climate variations and anthropogenic forcings on landscapes; the applications of geophysical methods to provide an earth systems, science-based foundation for understanding the Earth’s surface; using geological and geophysical techniques to assist in deciphering the archaeological record; and the impacts of changing lake and sea levels on coastal environments.

Gontz's research has led him to all seven continents with projects located in UNESCO World Heritage Areas, linking geology with archaeology and climate variation. He has active research on sand dune systems in Australia, lakes as climate records in Australia, and earthquake recurrence intervals in California and Spain. He is looking forward to developing a local research program to investigate post-glacial landscape change and climate variation in northern New York to build on his international research program.

At Clarkson, he’ll provide engineers with an understanding of how the Earth functions and its surface changes, so engineering projects can become more integrated with the processes that shape its surface. He’ll also illustrate how geophysical techniques can be used in engineering situations to understand site architecture and environmental issues associated with societal activities as well as applications for non-destructive testing.

Gontz has 821 career citations and has published in 39 peer-reviewed publications, including Journal of Coastal Research, Geomorphology, Journal of Geophysical Research, Marine Geology, The Holocene, Journal of Remote Sensing in the Environment, Quaternary Science Review, and Marine and Freshwater Research. He has 140 published conference abstracts and 17 unpublished technical reports.

He also serves as a reviewer for a number of academic journals, including Geoscience, Geomorphology, Marine Geology, Sedimentary Geology, Sedimentary Research, and Journal of Coastal Research.

Gontz has been awarded more than $2.75 million in research grants by the National Science Foundation, Australian Research Council, U.S. Department of Energy, National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration, and National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program, among many other organizations.

He has advised more than 60 students at the Ph.D., master's, and bachelor's degree levels.

Gontz is a member of the Geoprofessional Business Association, Geological Society of America, Society for Sedimentary Geology, Coastal Education and Research Foundation, American Geophysical Union, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Australian New Zealand Geomorphology Group, and the Australian Quaternary Association.

He received his Ph.D. in earth sciences and master of science degree in geological sciences from the University of Maine, and his bachelor of science degrees in both biology and applied geology from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania.

Gontz serves as an adjunct professor in the Department of Geological Sciences at San Diego State University. He previously served as professor & department chair at San Diego State University, associate professor and assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts Boston, visiting professor at the University of Queensland, and a technical engineering specialist in the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army.