معرفی
Kimberly Genareau is an Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Alabama. She specializes in High-Temperature Geochemistry and Petrology, with a focus on volcanic lightning and ash dynamics. Her research examines how lightning interacts with volcanic ash, including magnetic properties, grain size alterations, and mineral phase transformations. She directs the Tephra Lab and collaborates with the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
Genareau holds a PhD in Geological Sciences from Arizona State University (2009) and triple undergraduate degrees in Philosophy, Physics, and Geology from the University of South Florida (2003). Her work integrates field observations with laboratory experiments to understand volcano-atmosphere interactions, including ash plume electrification and lightning generation mechanisms.
Her research highlights include studying lightning-induced glass formation in volcanic ash, analyzing ash electrical conductivity, and investigating the role of grain size in lightning generation. Recent projects involve NASA/NOAA satellite data for ash plume modeling and exploring volcanic lightning's effects on mineral dust in the atmosphere.
Labs affiliated with her work include the Tephra Lab, UA Geosciences Atom Probe Tomography (UAGeoAPT), and the Geologic Element Analytical Laboratory (GEAL). She teaches courses like Communicating Geology, Field Course, and Volcanology, emphasizing hands-on learning and interdisciplinary approaches.
