All current GS members are eligible to vote in the Board of Directors election. Voting instructions were sent on January 7. Please contact gsoffice@geochemsoc.org if you have any questions about how to vote or did not receive the ballot.
Information from each candidate is presented below. Click on a candidate's name to visit their web page.
Non-Officer Director
Non-Officer Directors participate in Board discussions and serve on the Board as voting members. This is a three-year term of service. In order for the Board membership to reflect the regional diversity of the Society membership, this year requires election of one director from Canada or the U.S. (Region 1) and one from Europe (Region 2).
Director Region 1
(Select ONE)
Fang-Zhen Teng is Professor, Associate Chair, and Graduate Program Coordinator in the Department of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle (USA). His research includes study of the composition and differentiation of the Earth and early solar system using novel isotope systematics measured by multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. He has convened seven Goldschmidt Conference sessions and served on the Joint Publication Committee of the Geochemical Society and the Meteoritical Society; as guest editor of three GCA Special Issues; as Co-Editor in Chief of Earth and Planetary Science Letters; as Editor of GS/MSA 82 "Non-Traditional Stable Isotopes"; as an Associate Editor of GCA; on the MSA Award Committee; and the AGU Kuno Award Committee. He presented the GS Ingerson Lecture in 2024 and is a Geochemistry Fellow.
Elisabeth (Liz) Widom is the Janet & Elliott Baines Professor in the Department of Geology & Environmental Earth Science at Miami University, Ohio (USA). Her research focuses on the application of radiogenic and stable isotope systems to problems in volcanology, mantle evolution, environmental contamination, and nuclear forensics, with field areas in Mexico, Europe, Africa, and the southwest US. She has recently served on the Geochemical Society's Program Committee, and currently serves as the Chair of the Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Petrology & Volcanology (MGPV) Division of the Geological Society of America and as the Treasurer of the International Association of Geochemistry.
Director - Region 2
(Select ONE)
Tina van de Flierdt is a Professor of Isotope Geochemistry and Head of the Department of Earth Science and Engineering at Imperial College London (UK). She co-leads the MAGIC isotope facility at Imperial College London and her research spans a variety of fields from understanding chemical cycles of trace elements and pollutants in the ocean, over reconstruction of ocean circulation and its relationship to climate, to the history of the polar ice sheets and their vulnerability to future climate change. Tina has been involved in session and theme organisation for Goldschmidt conferences for >15 years, was editor for Geochemical News (2015-2016), Associate Editor for Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta (2016-2021) and served as Member and Chair of the Joint Publication Committee (2018-2020). She also dedicated a significant amount of time to various committees of the international GEOTRACES programme, including the Standards and Intercalibration Committee and the Scientific Steering Committee.
Stefan Weyer is a professor of isotope geochemistry at the Institute of Earth System Sciences, University of Hannover (Germany). His research interests include the development of new protocols for the analyses of metal stable isotopes (on solutions or in situ with femtosecond laser ablation MC-ICP-MS) and their application in a variety of fields in geo- and cosmochemistry. He is particular interested in the evolution of magmas, the mechanisms of metal mobilisation in ore deposits and the evolution of Earth's oceans and atmosphere. He serves the geochemical community as an associate editor for Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta and he was a member of the award nomination committee of the Geochemical Society.
Director - Early Career Researcher
Candidates for this board position are early career researchers, defined as higher degree (beyond Bachelors level) students in good standing who 1) have completed at least 2 years of a PhD program (e.g., equivalent to having passed qualifying or mid-term exams where applicable) OR 2) postdoctoral researchers or faculty within 4 years of being awarded their PhD, OR 3) employees in a geochemistry-related industry within 4 years of last degree completion at the year of nomination. This position has a two-year term of service. Candidates submitted statements of interest as part of the nomination process.
(Select ONE)
DEVSAMRIDHI ARORA
Statement of Interest
I am thrilled to express my interest in being nominated for a position on the Board of Directors of the Geochemical Society. Currently, I serve as an Assistant Professor at the University of Allahabad (India), where I have spent the last two years focusing my research on Antarctic sciences. My work primarily involves uncovering the geological terrain hidden beneath the thick continental ice sheet, a field that is both challenging and rewarding.
With a Master's degree in Geology from the University of Delhi and a PhD from the same institution, I have built a solid academic foundation. Additionally, I completed 1.4 years of postdoctoral research at IIT Bombay, where I honed my skills in interdisciplinary research. My CV outlines my research accomplishments and other relevant achievements, highlighting my dedication to advancing our understanding of geochemical processes.
I believe my administrative experience and active participation in various academic and extracurricular activities have prepared me well for this role. After reviewing the proposed committee's objectives, I am confident that I can provide valuable administrative support and logistics while promoting the society's mission and initiatives. I am motivated to pursue this position for two main reasons. Firstly, serving on the Board will enhance my professional profile and offer a platform for continuing my multidisciplinary research approach. This opportunity will also allow me to interact with senior scientists and resource persons in our field, enriching my perspective and collaborations.
As a representative from a South Asian country, I am particularly committed to organizing outreach programs at various geoscience institutes. Many students and faculty members are often unaware of the multiple funding schemes and sponsorship opportunities available through the Geochemical Society. I intend to actively reach out to these individuals to ensure they are informed about and can benefit from these resources.
Inclusivity is another key priority for me. As a board member, I will advocate for the representation of diverse communities, religions, and genders, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued. I aim to motivate the younger generation by promoting maximum participation of students and research scholars in various Geological Society events. Creating an environment that fosters collaboration and innovation is essential for the growth of our field.
With my relevant skills and experience, I believe I can be a valuable addition to your Board of Directors. It would be an honor to contribute to the Geochemical Society and to work alongside esteemed colleagues who share my passion for advancing geochemistry and supporting the next generation of scientists.
Statement of Interest
My academic journey began in 2014 with a Bachelor's degree in Geology, followed by a PhD in 2020 both at the National University of La Plata (Argentina). I also earned a teaching degree in 2019 and a Postgraduate Diploma in Science Education in 2023. Currently, I am completing a master's in science education. My research experience started with a Postdoctoral position at the Argentine National Research Council (interrupted by the COVID pandemic). Later, I held a joint postdoc at the University of New Mexico and George Mason University, before assuming my current postdoctoral role at the University of Copenhagen (Denmark).
I am applying for this position because I believe I can offer valuable contributions to the Board in four key areas. First, I have extensive experience serving on academic committees, including the Asociación Argentina de Sedimentología and the Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas councils. I have also participated in hiring committees at the National University of La Plata and George Mason University and reviewed grants for organizations such as Fulbright Argentina, NSF, and the International Association of Sedimentologists. These diverse roles have equipped me with the necessary tools to engage in discussions common within such committees and have improved my skills in decision-making processes related to positions, grants, and awards.
Secondly, I have served on the Geochemical Society's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee since 2022, initially as a member and later as Chair in 2023. As a member, I contributed to a working group focused on developing new guidelines to incorporate DEI principles into GS awards. As Chair, I have continued implementing previous policies and led initiatives at the Goldschmidt Conference (GC), where we organized five DEI-related activities, including the first DEI & Pride reception. Additionally, we launched the GS Webinar series, starting in mid-October, with online seminars planned for both the Atlantic and Asia-Pacific time zones. I believe my experience will benefit the Board, particularly in coordinating activities with the DEI Committee.
Thirdly, in addition to my scientific background, I have cultivated expertise in science education and outreach activities. These experiences have equipped me with a unique and valuable skill set essential for our roles as educators and science communicators. In particular, this background could not only bring a fresh perspective to discussions within the Board but also opens up numerous opportunities to develop programs and guidelines in geochemistry education, as well as in public outreach efforts aimed at disseminating our field knowledge to a broader audience.
Finally, as a Latin American geochemist, I bring a vital and often underrepresented perspective. Having worked across different continents, I have seen firsthand how scientific challenges and priorities differ between regions. My experiences allow me to advocate for greater inclusion of voices from the Global South and to foster a truly international dialogue within the society. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the Board.