Kathleen Benison

Kathleen Benison is a Professor of Geology at the Department of Geology and Geography, West Virginia University, affiliated with the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. Her research integrates sedimentary geology, geochemistry, and astrobiology to study acid saline lakes on Earth and Mars.

• Ph.D. in Geology, University of Kansas (1997)
• M.A. in Geology, Binghamton University (1993)
• B.S. in Geology and Chemistry, Bridgewater State College (1991)

Her work focuses on systems interactions among lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere in extreme environments. Research methodologies include fieldwork, petrography, fluid inclusion studies, and laser Raman spectroscopy, with applications to Mars exploration and salt mineral analysis. She serves as Science Editor of GEOLOGY and is a Participating Scientist for the Mars 2020 mission.

Recent publications emphasize Mars analog studies in Jezero Crater, sulfate mineralogy, biosignature preservation, and Permian acid brine environments. Her lab group (Red Earth Observatory) investigates modern and ancient continental red beds and evaporites.

Teaching includes courses like GEOL 101: Planet Earth, GEOL 311: Stratigraphy and Sedimentation, and GEOL 591: Sedimentary Petrology.