Thomas Algeo

Thomas Algeo is a Professor in the Department of Geology at the University of Cincinnati, where he has been a faculty member since 1991, initially as Assistant/Associate Professor until 2008, then promoted to Professor. His research focuses on sedimentary geochemistry with applications to paleoceanographic and global systems analysis, particularly examining environmental changes during critical geological periods.

His research interests span three major themes: (1) environmental changes at the Permian/Triassic boundary, the most severe mass extinction in Earth's history; (2) the relationship between land plant evolution and weathering rate changes during the Middle to Late Devonian; and (3) the development of trace-metal redox proxies to study paleomarine systems. His work integrates geochemical analysis with stratigraphic interpretation to understand ancient ocean conditions and their connections to biological and climatic events.

Analysis of Algeo's recent publications reveals a strong focus on mass extinction events, particularly the Permian-Triassic boundary crisis, with significant attention to redox conditions, sediment fluxes, and biogeochemical cycling. His research increasingly incorporates isotope geochemistry (particularly uranium isotopes) as novel proxies for reconstructing ancient ocean conditions. A consistent thread throughout his work is the examination of terrestrial-marine linkages and how continental processes influence marine systems during periods of global environmental change.

Professor Algeo has secured substantial research funding, including multiple National Science Foundation grants spanning from 2003 to 2020, a NASA grant (2013-2015), and Ohio Board of Regents funding. His grant portfolio demonstrates sustained research productivity with projects totaling over $1.3 million in direct funding, focusing on paleoceanographic dynamics across critical geological intervals. He has served as Principal Investigator on numerous collaborative projects examining Permian-Triassic boundary conditions, Devonian black shales, and trace metal proxies for ancient ocean conditions.