Title: University Distinguished Professor
Institution: Boise State University
Address: Department of Geosciences, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr; MS 1535, Boise, Idaho 83725
Email: mattkohn@boisestate.edu
Phone: (208) 830-1634
Visit Matthew’s Research Website
Research Interests: Ecology, climate, stable isotope geochemistry, paleontology
Biographical Sketch:
I am a Distinguished Professor in geochemistry at Boise State University. I have been a researcher in geology and geochemistry for 40 years, including at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (BS, 1986), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (MS, 1989 and PhD, 1991; NSF doctoral fellow), University of Wisconsin – Madison (NSF post-doctoral fellow and research scientist), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (post-doctoral staff member), and University of South Carolina (Assistant and Associate Professor). I have published over 150 articles in international peer-reviewed journals (Google h-index = 78, >21000 citations), have received three university awards for excellence in undergraduate research mentoring, teaching/service, and overall research, and have raised >$11M in research funding, mostly through NSF.
Much of my current research focuses on the use of stable isotopes and trace elements to investigate terrestrial climate and ecology, and geochemical uptake in modern and fossil bones and teeth, as well as on petrologic and geochronologic investigation of the formation of mountain ranges (Himalaya, Alps, etc.). My ecological and paleontological work emphasizes stable and trace element geochemistry to learn about modern and past diets and habits of mammals, but I also collaborate on projects investigating the geochemistry of other tissues (e.g., bird claws, fleas) to study raptor migration patterns. My work on mountain belts emphasizes origins and evolution of metamorphic and igneous rocks, ranging (in the US) from Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the New England Appalachians to high pressure rocks along the western margin of California. I have edited four books in mineralogy and geochemistry (Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry volumes 48, 66, and 83; Treatise on Geochemistry volume 2). I have also coauthored a textbook in igneous and metamorphic petrology, and a popular book on travels in China during the pandemic.. I have appeared on Science Friday and provided public lectures for the Geological Society of London and the US embassy in Beijing, as well as for local organizations in Idaho. My educational videos on YouTube and other online platforms have received over 500,000 views from over 100 countries.
Education:
B.S. in Geology from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA), granted 1986
M.S. in Geology from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY), granted 1989
Ph.D. in Geology from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY), granted 1991