Award-Winning Geochemical Paleoclimatologist Joins Rosenstiel School Faculty

VIRGINIA KEY, Fla. — The University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences announced that Dr. Ali Pourmand has joined the Marine Geology and Geophysics (MGG) division as an assistant professor. Pourmand, an isotope geochemist interested in using trace elements and isotopes to study past changes in the Earth's climate, will provide a fresh perspective to the Rosenstiel School’s already well-known body of climate research.

“Getting Dr. Pourmand to join the University of Miami’s faculty is a great coup for our division: it will enable us to make significant advances in the application of radio-isotopes towards the study of oceanography and sedimentology.  He is a very versatile scientist who will be able to seamlessly integrate his studies with those of faculty members in other divisions, for truly interdisciplinary research,” said Dr. Peter Swart, professor and chair of the Rosenstiel School’s division of Marine Geology and Geophysics.

Most recently Pourmand was as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Origins Laboratory, part of the University of Chicago’s Department of the Geophysical Sciences and the Enrico Fermi Institute. His work measuring isotopic ratios and elemental concentrations of Actinides (U-Th) and rare earth elements in terrestrial and extraterrestrial material has made him eminently qualified to facilitate the implementation of the use of a newly acquired high-resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) capable of determining the elemental and isotopic composition of rock or sediment samples.

Pourmand is the recipient of numerous awards ranging from distinguished Geological Society graduate student scholarships and research grants to international fine art and photography competitions. He received his B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran, and his Ph.D. in Geosciences (Isotope & Organic Geochemistry) from Tulane University in New Orleans.

About the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School
Founded in the 1940’s, the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science has grown into one of the world’s premier marine and atmospheric research institutions. Offering dynamic interdisciplinary academics, the Rosenstiel School is dedicated to helping communities to better understand the planet, participating in the establishment of environmental policies, and aiding in the improvement of society and quality of life.  For more information, please visit www.rsmas.miami.edu

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