Jessica Stanley

Jessica Stanley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth and Spatial Sciences at the University of Idaho, College of Science. She holds a PhD in Geological Sciences (2015, University of Colorado at Boulder), M.S. and B.S. in Earth and Planetary Sciences from MIT (2009 and 2008). Her research focuses on tectonics, topography, and thermochronology, particularly exploring continental dynamics, landscape evolution, and geodynamic processes. She leads the T³ (Tectonics, Topography, Thermochronology) research group, emphasizing collaboration and equity in academia. Key projects include investigations of Yellowstone Hotspot influences, southern African Plateau uplift, and climate-tectonic interactions in Patagonia.

Education:

• PhD in Geological Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, 2015
• M.S. in Earth and Planetary Sciences, MIT, 2009
• B.S. in Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, MIT, 2008

Research Interests: Combines thermochronology, field observations, and landscape modeling to address continental-scale questions. Recent work examines Yellowstone Hotspot-driven exhumation, climate-driven sedimentation in Patagonia, and uplift mechanisms in southern Africa. The T³ group prioritizes interdisciplinary approaches and community engagement.

Awards:

• Marie Morisawa Award (2024)

Grants & Funding: Active in securing NSF collaborative grants for hotspot-related studies and landscape evolution projects. Her work integrates multi-proxy datasets (thermochronology, sediment flux, topography) to model geodynamic processes.

Labs/Teams: Leads the T³ research group at the University of Idaho, fostering a supportive environment for graduate students and postdocs. Collaborates internationally on projects linking surface processes to deep Earth dynamics.