Jack Kleinman Memorial Award for Volcano Research

Jack Kleinman sets up an EDM reflector atop Novarupta dome

in the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes.
About Jack Kleinman

Jack Kleinman was a research geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey's Cascades Volcano Observatory whose career reflected the curiosity, dedication, and spirit of exploration that characterize the best of field volcanology. Although his scientific career was cut tragically short by his death in a kayaking accident in 1994, he left a lasting impression on colleagues, students, and friends through his enthusiasm for volcano research, his commitment to excellence in field investigations, and his generosity in working with others.

Kleinman believed that careful observations made in the field are the foundation of understanding volcanic systems. His work took him to active volcanic regions throughout the western United States, including the Cascade Range and Alaska, where he participated in geologic mapping, volcanic monitoring, and geodetic surveys.  USGS photographs show him conducting Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) surveys atop Novarupta in Alaska's Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, an example of the demanding fieldwork that he particularly enjoyed.

Those who knew Jack remembered not only his scientific ability but also his personal character. He was known for his exuberance, integrity, reliability, loyalty, willingness to embrace difficult challenges, and genuine delight in the natural world. Whether conducting research in remote volcanic terrain, mentoring younger scientists, or exploring the outdoors as a mountaineer, backpacker, and accomplished whitewater kayaker, he inspired others through his optimism, energy, and love of discovery.

In recognition of these qualities, Jack's friends and colleagues established the Jack Kleinman Memorial Fund for Volcano Research shortly after his death. The program was created to encourage the kind of collaborative, field-based volcanology that Jack championed by supporting undergraduate and graduate students working with scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey. The fund has since become the Jack Kleinman Memorial Award for Volcano Research, administered by the Geological Society of America in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey.  The award honors students who demonstrate these same qualities in their scientific explorations.

Up to US$5,000 may be awarded to undergraduate, graduate, and aspiring graduate students, regardless of current enrollment status. Successful proposals typically focus on geologic, geochemical, geophysical, or hazards investigations with an emphasis on fieldwork. Cooperation with a staff member from the USGS Volcano Science Center is encouraged and given considerable weight in the selection process.

Although applicants do not need to be U.S. citizens, the work supported by the award focuses on U.S. volcanoes, with preference for studies in the Cascade Range, Aleutian Arc, Hawaii, Yellowstone, Long Valley, or distributed volcanism in the western USA. Funding is intended to defray the costs of field-focused studies, such as travel to field sites, living expenses during fieldwork, field supplies, and analytical costs. Awardees are invited to present their results in the USGS Kleinman Seminar Series and attend the Awards Ceremony at the GSA annual meeting.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the portal linked below. Two letters of recommendation are required: at least one should be from a current research mentor, and a letter from a USGS cooperator is optional but may strengthen the application. Letters should address both academic qualifications and personal qualities exemplified by Jack Kleinman, such as exuberance, integrity, and reliability. The selection committee includes geologists and volcanologists, with representation from the USGS Volcano Science Center.

Apply
Application period: 1 December through 18 February

Awardees (1995- )

2026

Kiriana Anderson, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa for her prohect "Characterizing pre-fountaining activity during the 2024-2026 Kīlauea eruption"

Jonathan Bixler, Cornell University for his project  “Explosive volcanism at Kīlauea as a testbed for a microlite-based ascent rate calibration”

Susan Richfield, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo for her project “Examining Historical Events Through Modern Techniques, a Geochemical Analysis of the 1919-1920 Maunaiki eruption from the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea volcano”

Mahinaokalani Robbins, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa for her project “Eruption response support and textural analysis of the rapidly evolving landscape of Kaluapele during the ongoing (Dec. 2024 – present) high lava fountaining Kīlauea eruption”

2025

James Genero IV, Central Washington University


Maggie Moss, Colorado State University


Zachary Smith, University of California, Berkeley


Andrea Bustos, Williams College

2024

Alyssa Smith, Portland State University


Christina Cauley, University of Oregon


Martin Harris, University at Buffalo, New York


Olivia Ernst, Western Washington University


Paul Gabriel, University of Alaska Anchorage

2023

Alex Newsom, Western Washington University


Javaria Aziz, Portland State University


Madelyn Cook, Western Washington University


Mara Reed, University of California, Berkeley


Sophie Leiter, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Canada

2022

Behnaz Hosseini, Montana State University


Bruna da Silva Ricardo, University of Toronto

Darlene Gilroy, Portland State University


Emma Calvert, Western Washington University

Sean Halstead, Western Washington University


Stacy Henderson, Montana State University

2021

Jessica (Jessie) Bersson, Arizona State University


Justin Crevier, Boise State University


Rose Gallo, University of Hawaiʻi, Manoa


Jacqueline Giblin, Arizona State University


Katherine Hewitt, University of California, Davis


Margaret (Maggie) Holahan, Boise State University


Charles (Chuck) Lewis, Oregon State University


Abigail Nalesnik, University of Delaware


Claire Ruggles, University of Wisconsin, Madison

2020

Emma Burkett, University of New Hampshire


Annika Dechert, University of Oregon


Marie Takach, Oregon State University


Joahua Wiejaczka, University of Oregon

2019

Nate Klema, University of Oregon


Brandi Lawler, University of Wyoming


Danielle Molisee, University of South Florida

2018

Jade Bowers, Oregon State University


Thomas Herbst, University Missouri


Rachel Warwick, Simon Fraser University


Simona Gabrielli, University Aberdeen


Ellyn Huggins, University Nevada

2017

Molly Ellowitz, Portland State University


Shuangyu Ge, University of Miami


Kathy Lipshultz, University of Oregon


Kellie Wall, Oregon State University

2016

Davis Deford, Northern Arizona University


Janine Krippner, University of Pittsburgh


Allan Lerner, University of Oregon


Danielle Moyer, Drexel University


Daniel Rasmussen, Columbia University


Cassandra Smith, University of South Florida

2015

Erin Fitch, University of Hawaii


Shawn Gahagan, Washington State University


Cassie Geraghty, Washington State University


Angela Seligman, University of Oregon

2014

Amy Burzynski, University of Northern Colorado


Alexandra Iezzi, Connecticut College


Shelby Isom, Boise State University

2013

Adam LeWinter, University of Northern Colorado


Wan-Ning Wu (Winnie), UCLA


Madison Myers, University of Oregon

2012

Eliza Mae Andrews, Western Washington University


Lindsay Davis, Michigan Tech University


Amy Parker, University of Bristol


Robin Tuohy, University of Oregon

2011

Kenneth Befus, University of Texas


Meagan E. Bosket, University of Wisconsin


Katy Chamberlain, Victoria University of Wellington


Owen K. Neill, University of Alaska


Julie Gross, Western Washington University

2010

Steven Shaw, Western Washington University


Kevin Weldon, Oregon State University


Amanda Pera, San Jose State University


Joel Unema, Northern Arizona University


Isobel Sides, University of Cambridge

2009

Jennifer Cash Thompson, University of Iowa


Martin Jutzeler, University of Tasmania


Summer Ohlendorf, University Wisconsin


M. Elise Rumpf, University of Hawaii


Julie Smith, Cal State Sacramento


Jeff Zurek, Simon Fraser University

2008

Dan Ruscitto, University of Oregon


Isolde Belien, University of Oregon


Nick Deardorff, University of Oregon


Daniele McKay, University of Oregon


Natalia Deligne, University of Oregon


Allison Koleszar, Oregon State University


Colleen Donegan, Northern Arizona University


Marco Bagnardi, University of Rome

2007

Licia Costantini, University of Geneva


Erich R. Mueller, University Colorado Boulder


Kristina Klos Wynne, University Colorado Boulder


Nicole E. Moore, Western Washington University


Will Romine, University Missouri


Kathryn E. Watts, University of Oregon


Jeffrey M. Woolford, Cal State Northridge

2006

Benjamin Andrews, University of Texas at Austin


Troy Baggerman, Western Washington University


Cooper Brossy, Central Washington University


Angela Diefenbach, Western Washington University


Brendan Hodge, Western Washington University

2005

Allison Austin Erickson, Northern Arizona University


Kimberly Fowler, Boise State University


Chris Harpel, University of North Dakota


Kristin Hill, Western Washington University


Dean Podolsky, University College London


Wes Thelen, University of Washington

2004

Yvonne Branan, Michigan Tech University


Beth Duschatko, Northern Arizona University


Jeff Hungerford, Oregon State University


Sri Mulyaningsih, Institute of Technology, Bandung


Michael Rowe, Oregon State University

2003

Jennifer Adleman, University Alaska Fairbanks


Stacey Hager Fairweather, University of Oregon


Stephen Lee Slaughter, Central Washington University

2002

Mariek Schmidt, Oregon State University


Robert Nicholson, University of Alaska Fairbanks


Michelle Roberts, Humboldt State University


Anna Volynets, Institute of Volcanology and Seismology

2001

Nancy Adams, University of Hawaii

David Phillips, University of Hawaii


Bethany Rinard Hinga, Southern Methodist University


Oscar Sorensen III, Michigan Tech University


Kristi Wallace, Northern Arizona University

2000

Paul Bedrosian, University Washington


Dannie Hidayat, Penn State


Doerte Mann, University of Alaska


Dylan Taylor, Western Washington University


Rob Watts, University of Bristol

1999

Ian Firth, University of Nevada


Molly McCanta, Brown University


Ben Pauk, Central Washington University

1998

Bernard Hubbard, SUNY Buffalo, New York


David Tucker, Western Washington University


Cindy Werner, Penn State

1997

Cindy Werner, Penn State


Jeff Johnson, University of Washington


Zinzuni Jurado-Chichay, University of Hawaii


Ellen Wilson, Washington University

1996

Michael Poland, University of California Davis


Julia E. Hammer, University of Oregon


Josh Henry

1995

Colleen Riley, Michigan Tech