Carie Frantz

Dr. Carie Frantz is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Weber State University, College of Science. Her research focuses on geobiology and geochemistry, particularly the interaction between microorganisms and their environments, with emphasis on microbialites (e.g., stromatolites) in the Great Salt Lake and the Eocene Green River Formation. She combines field studies, geochemical analyses, and computational modeling to understand Earth's environmental history and modern climate impacts.

Education: Ph.D. in Geological Sciences (2013, University of Southern California) and B.S. in Chemistry (2007, University of Washington). Teaching includes courses on geomicrobiology, geochemistry, and Earth science-society interactions. She leads the Frantz Lab, engaging students in field and laboratory research. Notable awards include the 2019 Presidential Teaching Excellence Award and 2022 Outstanding Mentor Award.

Key research projects include studying microbialite degradation in Utah’s shrinking Great Salt Lake, reconstructing ancient climate records from stromatolites, and investigating Arctic sea ice microbiology. She emphasizes place-based learning and community engagement, particularly among underrepresented student groups.