Kathy Licht

Kathy Licht, Ph.D., is a Professor and Department Chair of Earth Sciences at Indiana University. Her research focuses on Antarctic ice sheet dynamics and their role in the global climate system, with active fieldwork funded by the National Science Foundation.

Education

• Ph.D., Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, 1999
• M.S., Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, 1995
• B.S., Natural Science, St. Norbert College, 1992

Research Interests

Licht's work spans glacial geology, paleoclimatology, and sedimentology, with emphasis on Antarctic ice sheet behavior. Her NSF-funded projects include: provenance analysis of Weddell Sea sediments, radar mapping of subglacial structures, and reconstruction of ice sheet changes across glacial cycles. This research contributes to international efforts modeling Antarctic ice history and sea-level rise impacts.

Publication Trends

Her recent publications (2010-2020) demonstrate strong focus on Antarctic glacial systems using geochemical, geochronological, and sedimentological methods. Key themes include: ice sheet stability during Pleistocene, sediment provenance techniques, blue ice moraine formation, and subglacial volcanic activity. Over 75% involve multidisciplinary collaborations and student co-authors.

Student Advising

Licht has advised 11+ graduate students as evidenced by co-authorship on publications. Current NSF grants support field training opportunities in Antarctica.

Fieldwork & Collaboration

Leads Antarctic field expeditions for data collection, with real-time updates via Twitter. Collaborates with international teams on ice sheet modeling initiatives.