James E. Quick, a noted scientist at the U.S. Geological Survey and a frequently published geology scholar, has been named associate vice president for research and dean of graduate studies at SMU. He joins the University this summer.
During his 25-year tenure with USGS, Quick has served as a chief scientist, project chief and staff geologist. He currently is program coordinator of the Volcano Hazards Program (VHP) at the USGS. The VHP researches volcanic processes and monitors all active volcanoes in the United States to provide early warning of eruptions.
As the program coordinator, Quick initiated planning for and implementation of a volcano-monitoring network for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; initiated strategic planning for an enhanced monitoring network for the nation’s most dangerous volcanoes; and increased the funding for VHP in the president’s budget.
“With Dr. Quick’s appointment, SMU has taken another important step toward enhancing the University’s funded research and support for our graduate programs,” says Tom Tunks, SMU interim provost.
Quick is well versed in federal grant activity and experienced in leading research teams in obtaining grant funding. As program coordinator, he interacted with congressional delegations in partnership with academic colleagues and local government representatives to maintain the VHP funding and to develop supplemental congressional funding.
Quick is a member of the American Geophysical Union, Geological Society of America, Geological Society of Washington and the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior.
He holds a Ph.D. in geology from the California Institute of Technology and a Master’s in petrology from the University of Minnesota. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in geology from UCLA.
Quick succeeds R. Hal Williams, who has served as SMU’s dean of research and graduate studies for the past three years.