Rob's Vita


EDUCATION:

Ph.D.	Geology - University of Washington, Seattle, WA. (1993)
M.S.	Geology - University of Montana, Missoula, MT. (1987)
B.A.	Geology - Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA. (1985)
A.A	Geology - Chabot College, Livermore, CA. (1982)

GEOSCIENCE EMPLOYMENT

1993	Professor of Geology: ( Chair 1995-00; tenured - 1998; Professor - 2001) Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Montana - Western, Dillon, Montana.
2000	Affiliate Professor of Geology: Department of Geology, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho
1995	Geology Field Camp Instructor: Princeton University (YBRA)
1993	Affiliate Professor of Geology: Department of Geology, University of Montana - Missoula, Montana.
1992-93	Assistant Professor of Geology: (tenure track) Department of Geology and Geography,-Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York.
1991-92	Instructor of Geology: University of Washington Extension Program, Seattle, Washington.
1987-88	Instructor of Geology: Chabot College Extension Program, Livermore, California.
1982-88	Engineering/Environmental Geologist: Terrasearch, Inc., Dublin, California.

EXTRAMURAL FUNDING

2000	Federal Transportation Appropriations Geological Roadsign Project. $200,000 Geology of the Lewis and Clark Trail in Montana Co-author: Dr. Sheila M. Roberts
1996-98	National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). Two-year continuing @ $90,000/year. Alteration of Gravel Composition by the Process of Colluviation, Clarks Fork Valley, Montana and Wyoming. Co-authors: Dr. Marvin Kauffman and Dr. Dale "Dusty" Ritter
1995-96	National Science Foundation MONTS Research Program #291625. $30,000. The Utility of Cambrian Mass Extinction Boundaries for the Reconstruction of Cambrian Grand Cycle Boundaries.
1994-95	National Science Foundation MONTS Research Opportunity Award. $14,000. Tectonic Significance of Tertiary Lacustrine Carbonates in SW Montana.

PUBLICATIONS

Thomas, R.C., and Backus, D.H., 2008, Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction of the Mass Extinction Boundaries of the Upper Cambrian Pterocephaliid Biomere in the Western United States: Palaios (in preparation).

Thomas, R.C., 2007, A field guide to the Cambrian section at Camp Creek, southwest Montana: Northwest Geology, v. 36, p. 231-244.

Thomas, R.C., and Roberts, S., 2007, A summary of the stratigraphy and depositional setting of Paleozoic rocks in the Dillon area: Northwest Geology, v. 36, p. 35-5
Thomas, R.C., Smith, L.N., and Roberts, S., A field guide to the glacial geology of the Birch Creek and Rattlesnake Creek areas, Beaverhead County, Montana: Northwest Geology, v. 36, p. 261-268.

Thomas, R.C., and Roberts, S.M., 2005, Lewis & Clark: The Corps of Geologic Discovery: Montana Naturalist, p.6-7.

Thomas, R.C., and Roberts, S.M., 2004, Geologic Road Signs along the Lewis and Clark Trail in Montana (25 peer-reviewed geological roadsigns placed across Montana).

Thomas, R.C., 2001, Learning geologic time in the field: Journal of Geoscience Education, v. 49, n. 1, p. 18-21.

Thomas, R.C., and Roberts, S.M., 2000, Geology of the Lewis and Clark Trail: The Three Forks of the Missouri River to Camp Fortunate, Montana, in Roberts Sheila and Winston, Don eds., Geologic Field Trips, Western Montana and adjacent areas: Rocky Mountain Section of the Geological Society of America, The University of Montana, p. 209-322.

Thomas, R.C., Sears, J.W., Ripley, A.A., and Berg, R.B., 1995, Tertiary extensional history of southwestern Montana: Field trip guide for the Sweetwater and Upper Ruby valleys, Montana, in R.C. Thomas, ed., Geologic History of the Dillon Area, Southwestern Montana: Proceedings Volume from the 20th Annual Field Conference of the Tobacco Root Geological Society: Northwest Geology, v. 25, p. 5-25.

Thomas, R.C., 1995, Tectonic significance of Paleogene sandstone deposits in southwestern Montana, in D.W. Mogk, ed., Field Guide to Geologic Excursions in Southwest Montana: Rocky Mountain Section, GSA 47th Annual Meeting: Northwest Geology, v. 24, p. 237-244.

Thomas, R.C., 1995, Cambrian mass extinction ("biomere") boundaries: A summary of thirty years of research, in D.W. Mogk, ed., Field Guide to Geologic Excursions in Southwest Montana: Rocky Mountain Section, GSA 47th Annual Meeting: Northwest Geology, v. 24, p. 67-75.

Thomas, R.C., 1994, Teacher Education: "The times they are a-changin'.": The Montana Professor, v. 4, n. 3, p. 9-10.

Roberts, S.M., and Thomas, R.C., (in preparation), Geology Underfoot in Montana, Mountain Press Publishing, Missoula, MT (layperson guidebook on geologically unique places in Montana).

Kalakay, Thomas J., Foster, D. A., Thomas, R.C., 2003, Geometry and timing of deformation in the Anaconda Extensional Terrane, west-central Montana, D.R. Lageson and R. B. Christner, eds, Proceedings Volume from the 2003 Annual Field Conference of the Tobacco Root Geological Society and the Belt Symposium IV: Northwest Geology, v. 32, p. 124-133.

Jenne, S., McBroom, W., and Thomas, R.C., 2001, Duties and responsibilities of the Professoriate: The Montana Professor, v. 11 n. 3, p. 11-12.

Lonn, Jeffrey D., Skipp, Betty, Ruppel, Edward T., Janecke, Susanne U., Perry, William J., Jr., Sears, James W., Bartholomew, Mervin J., Stickney, Michael C., Fritz, William J., Hurlow, Hugh A., and Thomas, Robert C., 2000, Geologic Map of the Lima 30' x 60' Quadrangle, Southwest Montana: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Open File Report #408.

Link, P.K., and Thomas, R.C., 1995, Vendian and Cambrian paleogeography of the western United States and adjacent Sonora, Mexico, in Seslavinsky, K., and Crimes, P., eds., Caracterización y evolución de la cuenca Neoproterozoico-Cámbrica en la Península Ibérica: Annual IGCP Project-319: Global Paleogeography in the Upper Precambrian-Lower Cambrian: Comunicaciones del XIII Reunion De Geologia Del Oeste Peninsular.

Sears, J.W., Hurlow, H., Fritz, W.J., and Thomas, R.C., 1995, Late Cenozoic disruption of Miocene grabens on the shoulder of the Yellowstone hotspot track in southwest Montana: Field Guide from Lima to Alder, Montana, in D.W. Mogk, ed., Field Guide to Geologic Excursions in Southwest Montana: Rocky Mountain Section, GSA 47th Annual Meeting: Northwest Geology, v. 24, p. 201-219.

Dilek, Y.D., Thomas, R.C., and Whitney, D., 1994, Team teaching petrology in a tectonic context: Journal of Geological Education, v. 42, p. 25.


ABSTRACTS

Thomas, R.C., and Roberts, S.M., 2007, A progress report on the field-based immersion learning model at the University of Montana Western: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 39, No. 6, p.

Thomas, Robert C., 2005, Strategies for dealing with religious fundamentalist students in college level geoscience courses: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 37, No. 7, p. 194.

Thomas, Robert C., Roberts, S.M., Mock, R. Stephen, 2005, Integrating undergraduate education and research in the Northern Rockies: Earthscope, Bozeman, MT, http://serc.carleton.edu/earthscoperockies/abstracts3.html#Thomas

Thomas, Robert C., and Roberts, Sheila M., 2003, One Class at a Time: Overcoming Obstacles to Incorporating Experiential Learning into the Undergraduate Geoscience Curriculum: Geol. Soc. Amer. Abs. Pro., Vol. 37, No. 7, p. 194.

Thomas, R.C., Sears, J.W., Fritz, W.J., Landon, S.C., 2000, Cenozoic extensional history of southwest Montana: Geol. Soc. Amer. Abs. Prog., v. 32, p. A-40.

Thomas, R.C., 1999. Learning geologic time in the field: The "rock project": Geol. Soc. Amer. Abs. Prog., Vol. 31, p. A-390.

Thomas, R.C., 1999. Cambrian mass extinction ("biomere") boundaries: A review of extinction models: Geol. Soc. Amer. Abs. Prog., v. 31, p. A-102.

Thomas, R.C., Kauffman, M., Bee, B., Blair, K., Braut, J., Landon, S., Little Owl, B., McDonald, J., Suterwala, S., Vant, K., 1997. Spatial and temporal trends of cambrian shell concentrations on the craton: Evidence from the northern Rocky Mountains: Geol. Soc. Amer. Abs. Prog., v. 29, p. A432.

Thomas, R.C., Easter-Pilcher, A., Kirkley, J., Mock, S., Roberts, S., Ulrich, K., Zaspel, C., 1997. Experiential Environmental Sciences Education at Western Montana College-UM, Dillon, Montana: Montana Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting Proceedings, Billings, MT.

Thomas, R.C., Kirkley, J., Mock, S., Roberts, S., Ulrich, K., Zaspel, C., 1996. The integration of the sciences at Western Montana College-UM, Dillon, Montana: Geol. Soc. Amer. Abs. Prog. v. 28, p. A358.

Thomas, R.C., 1995. Paleoecological controls on Cambrian mass extinction patterns: Geol. Soc. Amer. Abs. Prog., v. 27, p. A58.

Thomas, R.C., 1995. The tectonic significance of Paleogene sandstone in southwestern Montana: Geol. Soc. Amer. Abs. Prog., v. 27, p. A58.

Thomas, R.C., 1994. The timing of the Sauk II - Sauk III (Upper Cambrian) unconformity in the western United States: Geol. Soc. Amer. Abs. Prog., v. 26, p. A122.

Thomas, R.C., 1992. The utility of Cambrian mass extinction boundaries for the correlation of grand cycle boundaries: Geol. Soc. Amer. Abs. Prog., v. 24, p. A65.

Thomas, R.C., 1991. The role of carbonate platform destruction in the formation of Cambrian extinction (biomere) boundaries: Geol. Soc. Amer. Abs. Prog., v. 23, p. A403-404.

Thomas, R.C., 1990. The Upper Cambrian (Dresbachian) Marjumiid-Pterocephaliid mass extinction event in Montana and Wyoming: Geol. Soc. Amer. Abs. Prog., v. 21, p. A42.

Thomas, R.C., 1987. Paleontology and carbonate petrology across the base of the Pterocephaliid biomere,southwestern Montana: Geol. Soc. Amer. Abs. Prog., v. 19, p. A338.

Roberts S. M. and Thomas, R. C., 2006. Geologic Interpretive Signs on the Lewis and Clark Trail in Montana: Geol. Soc. Amer. Abs. Prog., v. ?, p. ?

Dahlke, C.M., David, C.M., Diedrich, A.L., Ferch, J.D., Haubrich, M.G., Hawley, S.M., Lubinski, S.M., Nielsen, K., Paschal, M.J., Weinert, J.L., Vant, M.K., and Thomas, R.C., 2004. Preliminary results of an analysis of the geohistory of the mid-Miocene Beaverhead Graben in southwest Montana: Rocky Mountain Geodays Abs. Prog. v. 1, p. 12.

Davis, B.W., Ferch, J.D., Owens, J.W., Paschal, M.J., Smith, E.J., Vant, M.K., and Thomas, R.C., 2004. Impacts of bridges and culverts on Blacktail Deer Creek upstream from the City of Dillon, Montana: Rocky Mountain Geodays Abs. Prog. v. 1, p. 13.

Clark, C., and Thomas, R.C., 2002. The formation of in-situ carbonate-siliciclastic shelf deposits by storm processes: The early Triassic Dinwoody Formation, sw Montana: Geol. Soc. Amer. Abs. Prog.

Clark, C., and Thomas, R.C., 2002. Storm-dominated, mixed carbonate-siliciclastic systems of the early Triassic Dinwoody Formation, southwest Montana: Rocky Mountain Geodays Abs. Prog., v. 1, p. 10.

Allen, S., Bull Calf, B.J., Burke, K., Catling, C., Clark, C., Hilburn, B., Horton, K., Krank, T., Landon, S., Rondeau, J., Ross, J., Stodden, D., and Thomas, R.C., 2002. Environmental assessment of Blacktail Deer Creek within the city limits of Dillon, Montana: Rocky Mountain Geodays Abs. Prog., v. 1, p. 9.

Landon, C., and Thomas, R.C., 1999. Provenance of gravel deposits in the mid-miocene Ruby Graben, southwest Montana: Geol. Soc. Amer. Abs. Prog., v. 31, p. A-292.

Landon, C., and Thomas, R.C., 1999. Geohistory of the mid-Miocene Ruby Graben in southwest Montana: Geol. Soc. Amer. Abs. Prog., v., p. A.

Landon, C., Thomas, R.C., 1999. Tectonic significance of gravel deposits in the mid-Miocene Ruby Graben, southwest Montana: Geol. Soc. Amer. Abs. Prog., v., p. A.

Backus, D.H., and Thomas, R.C., 1995. Upper Cambrian sedimentation patterns: The view from both sides of the hingeline: Geol. Soc. Amer. Abs. Prog., v. 27, p. A2.

Oldendorf, W. P., Rogan, J.M., Thomas, R.C., 1994. Cataclysms on the Columbia: A workshop on pre-college teachers as scholars: Amer. Educ. Res. Assoc. Annual Meeting.


PUBLICATIONS EDITED

Introduction to the geology of the Dillon area, Robert C. Thomas and Richard I. Gibson, editors, 2007: Proceedings Volume from the 32nd Annual Field Conference of the Tobacco Root Geological Society, Northwest Geology, Vol. 36, 272p.

Geology of the Libby Area, Montana, Richard I. Gibson and Robert C. Thomas, editors, 2006: Proceedings Volume from the 31st Annual Field Conference of the Tobacco Root Geological Society, Northwest Geology, Vol. 35, 122p.

Sun River Canyon and Choteau, Montana, Richard I. Gibson and Robert C. Thomas, editors, 2005: Proceedings Volume from the 30th Annual Field Conference of the Tobacco Root Geological Society, Northwest Geology, Vol. 34, 138p.

White Sulphur Springs, Montana, Richard I. Gibson and Robert C. Thomas, editors, 2004: Proceedings Volume from the 29th Annual Field Conference of the Tobacco Root Geological Society: Northwest Geology, Vol. 33, 110p.

Geology of the Crook in the Snake River Plain, Twin Falls and Vicinity, Idaho, Scott S. Hughes and Robert C. Thomas, editors, 1996: Proceedings Volume from the 21st Annual Field Conference of the Tobacco Root Geological Society: Northwest Geology, Vol. 26, 123p.

Geologic history of the Dillon area, southwestern Montana, Robert C. Thomas, editor, 1996: Proceedings Volume from the 20th Annual Field Conference of the Tobacco Root Geological Society: Northwest Geology, Vol. 25, 93p.


INVITED PRESENTATIONS

2006	MSU-Bozeman - Tertiary Depositional History in Southwest Montana
2005	MSU-Bozeman (Earthscope) - Integrating undergraduate research and education
2003	Idaho State University - Cenozoic extensional history of SW Montana
2001	Sentinel High School - Environmental assessment of Blacktail Deer Creek, Dillon, Montana
2001	University of Oregon - Cenozoic extensional history of SW Montana
1998	Montana Tech-UM - Mass Death of the Trilobites
1997	Museum of the Rockies (Bozeman) - Geological History of Southwestern Montana
1997	Montana Tech-UM - Origin and Timing of Extensional Tectonics in SW Montana
1996	Idaho State University - Processes of carbonate platform destruction
1995	The University of Montana-Missoula - The paleoecology of Cambrian mass extinction events

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

2006	Board of Directors Member Yellowstone-Bighorn Research Association
2005	Symposia Organizer National Meeting of the GSA - Salt Lake City, UT
2003	Symposia Organizer National Meeting of the GSA - Seattle, WA
2003	Co-editor (with Richard I. Gibson) Northwest Geology
2002	Associate Editor The Journal of Geoscience Education
2000-04	Board of Directors Member - Yellowstone-Bighorn Research Association
2000-	President - Paleontological Society (Rocky Mountain Section)
2000	Field Trip Leader - Rocky Mountain GSA Meeting - Missoula, Montana
2000	Symposium Organizer - Rocky Mountain GSA Meeting - Missoula, Montana
1999	Symposium Organizer - Rocky Mountain GSA Meeting - Pocatello, Idaho
1997-	Board of Directors Member - Tobacco Root Geological Society
1997-	Campus Representative - NASA Space Grant Consortium
1996-	K-12 Geoscience Resource - Partners for Education Program (PEP) - GSA
1996-97	Editorial Board Member - The Montana Professor
1995-97	Schuchert Award Committee - The Paleontological Society
1995-96	Education Committee - The Paleontological Society
1995-96	Meeting Organizer - Tobacco Root Geol. Soc. Field Conferences (Dillon and Twin Falls)
1995-99	GeoVenture Trip Leader - Geological Society of America
1995	Symposia Organizer - Rocky Mountain GSA Meeting - Bozeman, MT
1995	Field Trip Leader - Tobacco Root Geological Society Field Conference - Dillon, MT
1995	Field Trip Leader - Rocky Mountain GSA Meeting - Bozeman, MT
1994-96	President - Tobacco Root Geological Society
1994-96	President - Paleontological Society (Rocky Mountain Section)
1994-96	Chair - Master's thesis project - University of Montana
1994-95	Proposal Reviewer - Montana Organization for Research in Energy
1993-97	Campus Representative - Montana Systemic Teacher Excellence Program
1993-99	Field Trip Leader - Elderhostel Programs at University of Montana - Western, Dillon, MT

CAMPUS SERVICE

2003-05	President UM-Western Faculty Association
2000-03	Faculty Senate Chair UM-Western
2000-03	Strategic Planning Session Representative UM-Western
1999-00	Member Northwest Accreditation preparation team, UM-Western
1997-03	Faculty Advisor Associated Students of UM-Western
1997-98	Chair Curriculum Committee, UM-Western
1997-98	Member University of Montana System Strategic Planning Academic Task Force, UM-Western
1995-00	Department Chair Department of Environmental Sciences, UM-Western
1996-05	Participant Recruiting phoneathon, UM-Western
1996-03	Chair / Member Campus Development Committee
1996-98	Chair Programs in Arts and Sciences Committee, UM-Western
1995-96	Vice President UM-Western Faculty Association
1994-95	Chair/Founder "On the Rocks" science colloquium - UM-Western
1994	Faculty Advisor/Founder "Terra Verde"- Environmental Sciences Dept. Student Organization
1993-97	Committee Member Teacher Education Program (TEP) Interviews
1993-00	Committee Member Academic Counsel, BLS, Campus Development, College Counsel, Curriculum, Elections, General Education, Merit Appeals, Multicultural, Charette Collaborative

COMMUNITY SERVICE

2005	Invited Speaker - Earthquakes in sw Montana - Rotary Club of Dillon
2005	Invited Speaker - "Ology" program - UM-Western's Division of Outreach
2000	Invited Speaker - "Ology" program - UM-Western's Division of Outreach
1998	Advisor - Parkview Elementary School Mentorship Program
1997-03	Mentor - Parkview Elementary School Mentorship Program
1997	Invited Speaker - Kiwanis Club of Dillon, Montana
1997	Invited Speaker - Rotary Club of Dillon, Montana
1996	Invited Speaker - Bannack State Park / Mary Innes School, Montana
1995	Invited Speaker - "Ology" program - UM-Western Division of Outreach

HONORS AND AWARDS

2008	Recipient of the Humboldt State University Distinguished Alumni Award
2008	Elected to Fellowship in the Geological Society of America
2007	Recipient of the Geological Society of America Distinguished Service Award
2002	Nominated- Carnegie Oustanding Professor of the Year
1996	Merit Pay Rank #3 (Highest Ranking) -UM-Western
1991	Shell Corporation Doctoral Fellowship - University of Washington
1991	Paleontological Society of America Research Grant Award
1990	Best Student Paper in Paleontology - Geological Society of America
1990	Wernecke/Johnston Fellowships - University of Washington
1990-91	Grants-in-Aid of Research Award - Geological Society of America
1989-91	Graduate Research Fund Grant - University of Washington
1989-90	Chevron Corporation Graduate Fellowship - University of Washington
1986-90	Grants-in-Aid of Research Award - Sigma Xi

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS (year joined)

1997	Member - Montana Academy of Sciences
1997	Member - Yellowstone-Bighorn Research Association (YBRA)
1997	Member - National Association of Geoscience Teachers
1994	Member - Tobacco Root Geological Society
1986	Member - Society for Sedimentary Geology (SEPM)
1986	Member - Paleontological Society
1985	Member - Geological Society of America

GEOSCIENCE COURSES TAUGHT (1993-2007)

Stratigraphy and Sedimentology

Carbonate Sedimentology

Structure and Tectonics

Basin Analysis

Invertebrate Paleontology

Depositional Environments

Introduction to Geology

Structure and Tectonics

Evolution of the Earth

Environmental Geology

Mineralogy and Petrology

Environmental Field Studies

Paleoecology

Introduction to Physical Science

Mass Extinctions in Earth's History

Geography

Geopolitics

Geology of the Yellowstone Hotspot

Planet Under Stress

Environmental Sciences in Montana