Geothermal Program Manager
Ph.D. 1974, Stanford University, Geology
M.S. 1971, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Earth and Planetary Sciences
B.S. 1969, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Earth and Planetary Sciences
John's career spans a half century in igneous petrology, volcanology, scientific drilling, geothermal energy, natural hazards, and international Arctic education. He is best known for discoveries in magma mixing, magma degassing, and leading scientific drilling projects on volcanoes. Most of his current work concerns drilling directly into rhyolite magma, the Krafla Magma Testbed (KMT), for which he is the founding scientist. He also founded the Japan-Kamchatka-Alaska Subduction Project, which has met every two years rotating among the three countries involved since 1998.
2025-Present, Geothermal Program Manager, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska
2021-2025, Adjunct Research Professor, Alaska Center for Energy and Power, Fairbanks, Alaska
2012-2017, Graduate School Dean, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Vice-President Academic of the University of the Arctic
2007-2012, Volcano Hazards Program Coordinator, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia
1991-2007, Professor of Volcanology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Geophysical Institute and Alaska Volcano Observatory
1979-1991, Research Staff, Geochemistry, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico
1974-1979, Research Staff, Volcanology, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico
2024, Editor-in-chief, Geosciences
2020, Distinguished Lecturer for Continental Scientific Drilling, Geological Society of America
2015, Sergei Soloviev Award, European Geosciences Union
2005, Usibelli Award for Research, University of Alaska Fairbanks
1988, Distinguished Member of Technical Staff, Sandia National Laboratories
1972-Present, Member, Geological Society of America
1972-Present, Member, American Geophysical Union
