James V. Taranik, Ph.D.
Regents Professor and Arthur Brant Chair of Geophysics
Director, Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering

Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering
University of Nevada, Reno /MS 172
Reno, NV 89557

Current primary information:
Mackay Mines Building, 305
Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering
College of Science, MS 168
University of Nevada
Reno, NV 89557-0047
Phone: (775) 784-6987
FAX: (775) 784-1766; Cell: (775) 742-7189
E-mail: jtaranik@mines.unr.edu

Stanford University, B. Sc. Geology, 1964

Minor Theoretical Earth Science

Colorado School of Mines, Ph. D. Geology, Minor, Geophysics and Mathematics, 1974.

Dissertation Title: Stratigraphic and Structural Evolution of Breckenridge Area, Central Colorado.

• Arthur Brant Chair for Exploration Geophysics, (1998 - Present)
• Acting Dean, Mackay School of Mines, (2003).
• Director, Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy, (2000 - 2003)
• President and CEO, Desert Research Institute, University and Community College System of Nevada (1987 - 1998)
• Director, Newmont Mining Corp. (1986 - Present)
  Director, Earth Satellite Corp. (1998 - 2001)
• Dean, Mackay School of Mines and Professor of Geology and Geophysics, University of Nevada (1982- 1987).
• Chief, Non-Renewable Resources Branch, Office of Space and Terrestrial Applications, NASA Headquarters, Washington, D. C., Headquarters Program Scientist for the first scientific payload flown of the Shuttle, Magsat and Heat Capacity Mapping Mission, (1979 - 1982).
• Principal Scientist, U. S. Geological survey Earth Observation Systems Data Center, U. S. Department of Interior (1975 - 1979).
• Chief, Remote Sensing and Senior Geologist, Iowa Geological Survey, Adjunct Professor of Geology, University of Iowa (1971-1974).

• Applications of aerospace electromagnetic remote sensing, geographic information systems and aerospace geophysical techniques to resource exploration, environmental management and the study of the Earth as a planet.
  • Hyperspectral remote sensing in the reflected and thermal infrared for geologic applications.
  • Applications of Multispectral and interferometric SAR to geology.
• Process geomorphology and the Quaternary, global environmental change and natural hazards.
• Geothermal exploration, assessment, development and management.

Publications

Dr. Taranik has over 150 publications in the scientific literature dealing with Electromagnetic Remote Sensing and Geophysics applied to resource exploration and environmental management.

Link to full list of Dr. Taranik's  publications. 

Courses

GEOL 100 – Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Natural Disasters (pdf)
GEOL 701h – Advanced Geology, Geophysics – Multispectral/Hyperspectral Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing for Geologic Applications
GEOL 702h – Geophysics – Remote Sensing for Geoscience Applications Imaging Radar - taught Fall 2003 with Dr. G. Oppliger.
GEOL 702u – Spring 2003 - Advanced Photogrammetry – Remote Sensing Measurements For Geologic Applications I – Reflectance Spectroscopy

Dr. Taranik's complete resume.

(Last Updated December 29, 2003)