معرفی
Dr. Matthew F. Kirk is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geology at Kansas State University's College of Arts and Sciences, where he joined in December 2012. His research integrates hydrogeology, geomicrobiology, and environmental geochemistry to address critical water resource challenges, particularly focused on groundwater systems in Kansas and the Great Plains region. As a K-State University Outstanding Scholar and Fellow of the Geological Society of America, Dr. Kirk has established himself as a leading researcher in groundwater quality and microbial processes.
Dr. Kirk earned his Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico before joining Kansas State University. His educational background has prepared him for interdisciplinary research that bridges geological, chemical, and biological processes in natural environments. His academic journey has positioned him to tackle complex environmental challenges through integrated scientific approaches.
Dr. Kirk's research primarily focuses on hydrogeology and geomicrobiology with emphasis on groundwater systems. His work examines water quality in the Great Bend Prairie aquifer, groundwater-surface water interactions across Kansas, the fate of carbon dioxide in soils at Konza Prairie, and geochemical controls on anaerobic microorganisms. He has recently published the open-access textbook "Microbiology for Earth Scientists" to help students understand the critical role of microorganisms in Earth systems. His research group actively investigates how land use changes affect water quality and availability, with particular attention to nitrate contamination from agricultural practices.
Analysis of Dr. Kirk's recent publications reveals a strong focus on the intersection of hydrology, biogeochemistry, and ecosystem change. His work increasingly addresses how vegetation changes (particularly woody encroachment in grasslands) affect water movement and quality, while maintaining his core interest in microbial processes in groundwater systems. There's a clear trend toward more integrated, systems-based approaches that consider multiple environmental factors simultaneously, reflecting the complex nature of water resource challenges in changing landscapes.
Dr. Kirk has received notable recognition for his scholarly contributions:
- K-State University Outstanding Scholar
- Fellow of the Geological Society of America
Dr. Kirk actively mentors students through multiple avenues. He leads the Kansas Groundwater Geopaths program, an NSF-funded initiative (award #2230413) that provides undergraduate research experiences focused on groundwater quality monitoring in Kansas rural domestic water wells. This program serves K-State students as well as those from Barton and Dodge City Community Colleges, offering $3,000 scholarships and career-oriented training. He also supervises graduate students pursuing MS degrees in Geology and has developed an open-access textbook to support education in his field. His teaching portfolio includes Earth in Action, Introduction to Geochemistry, Geomicrobiology, Geochemical Modeling, and Water Resources Geochemistry.
Dr. Kirk's research group operates as an interdisciplinary team focused on hydrogeology and geomicrobiology. Through the Kansas Groundwater Geopaths program, his team collaborates with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas Water Institute, local Groundwater Management Districts, Kansas Geological Survey, and Kansas Water Office to address critical water quality issues affecting approximately 130,000 people who rely on the Great Bend Prairie aquifer for drinking water. His work has demonstrated that groundwater quality has decreased significantly over the past 40 years primarily due to nitrate accumulation from fertilizer use, highlighting urgent environmental concerns for Kansas communities.
