David Barbeau

David Barbeau is an Associate Professor in the School of the Earth, Ocean and Environment at the University of South Carolina, within the College of Arts and Sciences. He leads the Geology & Geophysics program and serves as Director of the Geology Field Camp. His research integrates field geology and U-Pb zircon geochronology to investigate Earth system evolution across geologic time.

Research Interests:

• Sedimentology & Stratigraphy: Analysis of sedimentary records to reconstruct tectonic, climatic, and biogeographic history.
• Tectonics & Provenance: Use of detrital zircon geochronology to trace sediment sources and evaluate terrane collisions.
• Climate Change: Study of eolian systems (e.g., Pampean loess) to understand paleoclimatic drivers and global climate linkages.
• Geochemistry & Geochronology: Application of U-Pb zircon dating to refine chronostratigraphy and petrogenetic models.

His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on high-resolution geochronology applied to critical stratigraphic sections in Argentina, the western U.S., and India, often addressing large-scale questions about climate evolution, faunal turnover, and tectonic history. These works frequently appear in top-tier journals such as Nature Communications and Geological Society of America Bulletin, demonstrating strong interdisciplinary impact.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• Pearce Faculty Fellow, South Carolina Honors College
• Editorial Board Member, Geology

Dr. Barbeau is actively engaged in academic service and mentoring. He teaches field-based courses and leads the Geology Field Camp. He advises students, as indicated by his reference to "my students" in research descriptions, and collaborates widely across institutions. His lab work is centered in the Center for Elemental Mass-Spectrometry and the Rock Preparation Facility, which he oversees. He is involved in grants supporting fieldwork and analytical work, particularly in Argentina and the western U.S., though specific grant titles are not listed.

Laboratories and Research Teams:

• Leads Team Barbeau, focused on sedimentary records and Earth system evolution.
• Utilizes the Center for Elemental Mass-Spectrometry for laser-ablation U-Pb zircon analysis.
• Manages the Rock Preparation Facility at the University of South Carolina.