Jaime Urrutia-Fucugauchi

Jaime Urrutia-Fucugauchi is a distinguished Professor at the Institute of Geophysics, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), with a career spanning over four decades. He is globally recognized for his expertise in the Chicxulub crater, mass extinction events, and the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary. His affiliations include leadership roles in international organizations such as the American Geophysical Union, Mexican Academy of Sciences, and the Chicxulub Institute of Advanced Studies. As a titular researcher and mentor, he has shaped generations of geophysicists and fostered scientific collaboration across continents.

• Educational Background
  • PhD in Physics, University of Newcastle upon Tyne (1980)
  • MSc in Geophysics, Faculty of Sciences, UNAM (1976)
  • BSc in Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, UNAM (1974)

His research focuses on impact cratering, paleomagnetism, and geophysical surveys, particularly linked to the Chicxulub crater and its role in the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction. Contributions include international drilling projects and structural analyses of the crater. His work extends to tectonics, rock magnetism, and paleoclimates, supported by grants from agencies like the European Science Foundation and VW Foundation.

Scientific awards and honors include the National Science and Arts Medal (2009), Honorary Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (2018), and multiple fellowships and prizes recognizing his leadership in geophysics and international collaboration.

As a mentor, he has supervised over 100 graduate students and facilitated their postdoctoral and postgraduate pursuits abroad. He co-organized the Latin American Paleomagnetism Group, established a network of magnetic observatories, and trained students through workshops and laboratories. His editorial contributions include co-editing volumes such as Extreme Natural Hazards, Disaster Risks and Societal Implications (Cambridge University Press, 2014) and the AGU Monograph on Extreme Events (2016).