Tanya Furman

Tanya Furman is a Professor in the Department of Geosciences at The Pennsylvania State University, where she also serves as Associate Vice President and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. Her research spans global tectonic settings, with fieldwork and collaborations across East Africa, Turkey, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.

Her research interests center on the geochemical and geodynamic processes governing mantle evolution, lithospheric modification, and magmatism. She investigates how large-scale mass transfer occurs between deep and shallow mantle regions, and how these processes manifest in mafic lavas and volcanic systems. Her work integrates field observations, geochemical analysis, and microanalytical techniques to constrain the thermal and chemical properties of the lithosphere in both extensional (e.g., continental rifting) and compressional (e.g., subduction) tectonic environments. She is particularly interested in the preservation of mantle heterogeneities and their geochemical expression in volcanic outputs.

The recent publications (2022–2025) reflect a strong focus on petrogenesis, mantle sources, and tectonic controls on magmatism across the Arabian Peninsula, Anatolia, and Iran. These studies employ advanced geochemical and isotopic methods (e.g., Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb isotopes, zircon U-Pb dating) to unravel the evolution of subduction zones, post-collisional magmatism, and rift-related volcanism. Key themes include delamination, slab rollback, mantle metasomatism, and the interplay between topography and lithospheric dynamics.

Her scientific contributions have been recognized through publications in leading journals such as Lithos, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, and Nature Reviews Earth and Environment. While specific awards are not listed, her sustained research output and leadership roles indicate significant scholarly impact.

Furman is actively involved in mentoring and academic leadership. As Associate Dean, she plays a key role in shaping undergraduate education in the geosciences. Her collaborative research involves numerous international partners and likely includes graduate student mentorship, though specific advisees are not named in the available text. She contributes to large-scale research initiatives related to climate, natural systems, and water sustainability as an affiliate researcher.

Her research is supported by field and analytical work conducted in active tectonic regions, often in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. She contributes to understanding volcanic hazards, particularly in densely populated subduction zones, where explosive eruptions pose significant risks. Her lab or research group likely focuses on geochemical and petrological analysis of volcanic rocks, utilizing facilities for isotopic and trace element analysis.