Cari Johnson

Dr. Cari Johnson is a Professor of Geology & Geophysics at the University of Utah, with a research focus on sedimentary basin analysis and tectonic evolution. Her work spans global perspectives on basin and energy systems, subsurface reservoir characterization, and anthropogenic sedimentary systems like Lake Powell. She has advised over 30 graduate and undergraduate researchers and postdoctoral associates.

• Geology & Geophysics Department, University of Utah
• Orcid: 0000-0002-6260-0736

Her research interests include tectonic evolution of Asia, sedimentary basin dynamics, energy systems modeling, and modern reservoir sediment analysis. She has led collaborative grants such as 'SUTURING THE HEART OF ASIA: TECTONICS OF THE MONGOL-OKHOTSK OCEAN CLOSURE' and industry partnerships with Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and Shell.

Scientific awards include the Robert Mitchum Best Paper Award (2016), Grover E. Murray Distinguished Educator Award (2016), SEPM Outstanding Presentation Award (2016), and Fellow of the Geological Society of America (2015). She received the Dickinson Medal from the Society for Sedimentary Geology in 2021.

Dr. Johnson's teaching activities encompass courses like Tectonics and Sedimentary Basins, Special Topics, and Field Geology. She served as Chair of the SEPM Foundation board (2025) and organized the Energy Transitions Conference (2024).