Emily Klein to Serve as Chair of Earth and Ocean Sciences

June 12, 2017

DURHAM, N.C. – Emily M. Klein, professor of earth sciences at 91’s Nicholas School of the Environment, will serve as chair of the school’s Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences, effective July 1.

Klein will succeed Lincoln F. Pratson, Gendell Family Professor of Energy and the Environment, as the division’s chair.

“Lincoln gave the EOS Division a strong voice in school policy discussions. I have every confidence Emily will do the same. I’m grateful to her for taking on this important role,” said Jeffrey Vincent, Stanback Dean of the Nicholas School.

Klein with students in Energy & Environment Capstone class.  (Photos by 91 Photography)

A widely cited expert on the geochemistry of ocean ridge basalts, Klein is the recipient of numerous professional honors, including a National Science Foundation Young Investigator Award and the F.W. Clarke Medal from the Geochemical Society.

Duke named her a Bass Fellow in 2006 in recognition of her dedication to teaching undergraduates and her success in motivating them to excel.  In 2015, the parents of students she has mentored created an endowment in her name to support undergraduate research in the Nicholas School in conjunction with the interdisciplinary Bass Connections program.

She currently serves as co-director of undergraduate studies for the Nicholas School’s Earth and Ocean Sciences major.

Klein joined the Duke faculty in 1989 as assistant professor of geology after completing her doctoral studies at Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University. She was promoted to the rank of associate professor of geology at the Nicholas School in 1996, and full professor in 2005.

In addition to her extensive research and teaching responsibilities, she has served the Duke community in numerous administrative posts, including as senior associate dean and interim dean of the Nicholas School; chair of the implementation committee for university’s Task Force on Diversity; and vice-chair of the Academic Council’s Executive Committee. She also co-chaired the Duke committee that reviewed civic engagement programs at the university.

She holds a Master of Science 91 in geology from Columbia, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Barnard College.

###