Adam Skarke

Adam Skarke is an Associate Professor of Geology in the Department of Geosciences at Mississippi State University, a position he has held since 2020 after serving as Assistant Professor from 2014-2020. His research integrates marine geology and geophysics to investigate sediment transport, seafloor morphology, and fluid dynamics across continental margins from coastal zones to deep-sea environments.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Geological Sciences, University of Delaware (2013)
• M.S. in Geological Sciences, University of Delaware (2008)
• B.A. in Geology, Colgate University (2003)

Research Focus: Dr. Skarke's work centers on seafloor gas seeps, coastal morphodynamics, and submarine groundwater discharge, employing field-based quantitative analysis of geological, geophysical, and oceanographic datasets. His innovative use of environmental observing sensors and platforms enables investigation of physical relationships across diverse spatial and temporal scales, with particular emphasis on methane dynamics and sedimentary processes.

Publication Trends: Recent publications (2021-2025) demonstrate a significant methodological shift toward machine learning applications for seafloor feature detection, particularly in gas seep identification. His work bridges marine geology with computational science, while maintaining strong field components through NOAA expeditions. Key thematic clusters include methane seep inventory development, coastal wetland restoration efficacy, and interdisciplinary studies of continental margin processes.

Scientific Recognition:

• Faculty Research Award from Mississippi State University College of Arts and Sciences
• Early Career Research Fellowship from National Academies Gulf Research Program

Mentorship & Funding: Dr. Skarke advises graduate students Jeneil Patel, Ramon Kalski, and Jonathan Leard, with research supported by federal grants including his National Academies fellowship. His NOAA collaborations fund extensive field campaigns using advanced platforms like Wave Gliders and AUVs for seafloor mapping and environmental monitoring.

Research Infrastructure: He actively participates in NOAA Okeanos Explorer missions, contributing to deep-sea exploration across Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico margins. His work integrates data from multibeam echosounders, ROVs, and autonomous systems within collaborative frameworks involving geological, biological, and computational specialists.