FARMINGTON – David Gibson, University of Maine at Farmington professor of geology, was recently honored by UMF and the University of Maine System as UMF’s 2009-2010 Trustee Professor.

Gibson’s research as a trustee professor, using UMF’s exclusive x-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer lab, will provide data that can be used to investigate the role volcanic eruptions may play in impacting climate variations.

Established in 1998 by the University of Maine System board of trustees, the professorship was created to recognize exemplary full-time faculty members at University of Maine System campuses; promote excellence in academic programs; and provide the opportunity and support for recipients to pursue continued in-depth scholarly work.

Building on his interest to investigate recent earth history through its geology, Gibson’s year-long project will focus on learning more about the geologic events that contributed to volcanic deposits in Patagonia and the South Shetland Islands.

Samples of these deposits, obtained from ice cores collected in southernmost South America and the Antarctic, are accessible to Gibson through researchers at the Climate Change Institute at the University of Maine and the Chilean geological survey.

Gibson’s research will be based on results using the X Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer at UMF. Using whole rock, powdered or liquid samples, the XRF can measure a broad range of elements on the periodic table from beryllium to uranium in concentrations from percent to parts per million.

“I am honored by this recognition, and thrilled at the chance to expand on our XRF lab capabilities,” said Gibson. “This will give UMF the opportunity to involve even more students in innovative research using the advanced analytical equipment that has become the industry standard.”

A UMF faculty member since 1996, Gibson has been involved at every level of the UMF Department of Geology. He has worked with students in the field from the Pacific Northwest through Maine, the Canadian Maritimes, Ireland and Scotland. He received his PhD in geology from the Queen’s University of Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Nominees for the professorship are recommended to the UMF provost, who submits the final appointment to the University of Maine System chancellor for approval. Annual appointments are announced at UMF’s Michael D. Wilson Symposium at which time UMF’s outgoing trustee professor presents a lecture on his research.

Drew Barton, UMF professor of biology and UMF’s 2008-2009 Trustee Professor, presented a talk on his recent publication, “Changing Nature: The Ecology of the Maine Woods,” at this year’s symposium.