Daniel O Breecker

Dave P. Carlton Centennial Professorship in Geology
Mailcode: C9000
I am interested in pursuing a process-based understanding of the critical zone with a focus on the formation of calcium carbonates in soils and caves and the stabilization of organic carbon in soils. Goals include improving and developing paleoclimate proxies and better understanding changes in climate and the carbon cycle across a range of timescales.
Areas of Expertise
The Breecker Group studies biogeochemical processes occurring at or near the land surface. We study soils and paleosols, caves and stalagmites, and other materials, such as volcanic glass, that give us insight into ancient Earth. We study timescales ranging from seasonal cycles to hundreds of millions of years. We use observations, mathematical models and both laboratory and field-based experiments to address an evolving range of questions. To learn more about the research we are doing, please see our research group website.
Postdocs
Timothy Gallagher
My research centers on developing a more complete understanding of the soil carbon cycle and the role that soils play in the global climate system. By studying the geologic record, I am able to refine our understanding of Earth History and inform responses to modern challenges, such as climate change and the intensification of land-use on a global scale.
I study...
Elizabeth Cassel, now at the University of Idaho
Liz is advancing the understanding of the paleoelevation of the western United States and the Western Cordillera in South America. She is a leader in the use of felsic volcanic glasses to determine the past elevation of Earth's land surface.
Graduate Students
Evan J Ramos
, Ph.D., expected 2021
(Co-supervisor)
I am a second-year PhD student whose research focuses on the physics and chemistry of high- and low-temperature fluid-rock interactions with the purpose of refining of earth systems models for geochemical cycles. My Master's thesis incorporated various techniques including numerical modeling, stable isotope geochemistry, and geochronology to characterize fluid flow during the formation of skarns. The overarching goal of this...
Lily Jackson
, Ph.D., expected 2019
(Committee Member)
My current research focuses on the tectonic history of the northern Andes, including timing and magnitude of major paleo-elevation changes affecting the northern Andes of Peru and Ecuador. My current methods include provenance analysis such as detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology and siliciclastic petrology, stable isotope geochemistry to infer paleoclimate and paleoelevation, and other traditional methods in sedimentology.
Lily Serach (Supervisor)
Natasha Sekhon
(Co-supervisor)
Paleoclimatology & Isotopic Geochemistry
Peter Carlson, Ph.D., 2018 (Co-supervisor)
Sol Cooperdock, M.S., 2017 (Supervisor)
John Warden, Ph.D., 2016 (Co-supervisor)
Tim Charlton, M.S., 2016 (Co-supervisor)
Chris Cacciatore, M.S., 2016 (Supervisor)
Michael Patson, M.S., 2015 (Supervisor)
Brandon Okafor, M.S., 2014 (Supervisor)
Marlo Gawey, M.S., 2013 (Supervisor)
Lacey Pyle, M.S., 2012 (Supervisor)
Nate Meyer, M.S., 2012 (Supervisor)
Kyle Meyer, M.S., 2012 (Co-supervisor)
Year | Semester | Course | |
---|---|---|---|
2018 | Fall | GEO 401 | Physical Geology |
2018 | Summer | GEO f660B | Field Geo-Tx/Nm/Co/Wy/Mt/Id/Ut |
2018 | Spring | GEO 394 | Rsch In Geological Sciences |
2018 | Spring | GEO 291 | Asian Monsoon |
2018 | Spring | GEO 191 | Proposal Writing |
2017 | Fall | GEO 394 | Rsch In Geological Sciences |
2017 | Fall | GEO 401 | Physical Geology |
2017 | Spring | GEO 394 | Rsch In Geological Sciences |
2017 | Spring | GEO 191 | Proposal Writing |
2017 | Spring | GEO 388H | Environmental Isotope Geochem |
2017 | Spring | GEO 376E | Environmental Isotope Geochem |
2016 | Fall | GEO 394 | Rsch In Geological Sciences |
2016 | Fall | GEO 401 | Physical Geology |
2016 | Spring | GEO 394 | Rsch In Stbl Isotp Biogeochem |
2016 | Spring | GEO 191 | Proposal Writing |
2015 | Fall | GEO 394 | Rsch In Geological Sciences |
2015 | Fall | GEO 401 | Physical Geology |
2015 | Spring | GEO 394 | Rsch In Stbl Isotp Biogeochem |
2015 | Spring | GEO 191 | Proposal Writing |
2015 | Spring | GEO 388H | Environmental Isotope Geochem |
2015 | Spring | GEO 376E | Environmental Isotope Geochem |
2014 | Fall | GEO 394 | Rsch In Stbl Isotp Biogeochem |
2014 | Fall | GEO 401 | Physical Geology |
2014 | Spring | GEO 394 | Rsch In Stbl Isotp Biogeochem |
2014 | Spring | GEO 191 | Proposal Writing |