Brian Kelley

Brian Kelley is an Assistant Professor of Geosciences at the Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, within the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. His research focuses on marine science, Earth system evolution, and stratigraphy, particularly examining tropical carbonate systems as records of geological and environmental changes.

Research Interests: Kelley investigates Earth system evolution during rapid climate changes, emphasizing marine environments and coral reefs as indicators of global environmental health. His work integrates sedimentology, geochemistry, and paleobiology to study controls on carbonate sedimentation and biodiversity patterns.

Article Trends: His publications from 2011–2023 highlight carbonate platform dynamics, reef recovery post-extinction events, and geochemical proxies for paleoclimate. Key subfields include Permian-Triassic transitions, microbialite genesis, and diagenetic processes in carbonate rocks.

Advising: Kelley mentors both current and former students, including

• Kate Grosswiler (PhD)
• Garrett Shepherd (PhD)
• Evan Ritchey (MSc)
• Hunter Reeves (now PhD at University of Texas)
• Ethan Lionetti (now MSc at Kent State University)

Labs & Teams: He leads a lab studying carbonate systems, with current members spanning PhD to BSc levels, and past collaborations with institutions like the University of Texas and Kent State University.