N. Alex Zirakparvar

Senior Specialist in Science and Teacher Education

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Education

Ph.D. Earth Science, Syracuse University, 2012
M.S. Geology, Washington State University, 2007
B.S. Geology and French: Juniata College, 2005

Professional Interests

Alex’s professional interests lie in the fields of isotope geochemistry and geochronology; specifically, he integrates isotopic and elemental systems to solve geologic problems at the scale of individual minerals to the evolution of the Earth’s lithosphere. He is currently using Hf isotopes in zircon to constrain the petrogenetic evolution of the Bushveld Igneous Complex with Ed Mathez, but also has past and ongoing research focuses in Papua New Guinea and the Northwestern U.S. Cordillera. Alex has great interests in sparking and fanning appreciation and passion for science in high school and college students, and is always seeking new ways to foster the cognitive development of his Earth Science pupils.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Faulty Appontments

Research and Education Fellow: AMNH June 2012 to Present
Adjunct Earth Science Professor: City College of New York, August 2012 to Present
Teaching Assistant and Full Course Instructor: Syracuse University, January 2008 to June 2012
Teaching Assistant: Washington State University, August 2005 to May 2007
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant: Juniata College, August 2001 to May 2005

Courses Taught

Extensive experience as both a graduate teaching assistant and full course instructor for introductory and advanced college level Earth Science courses. Currently teaching Earth System Science and Weather and Climate in the MAT program at AMNH. Alex has also led numerous geology field trips for college students majoring in Earth Science

Graduate Committees

PhD Committee: Suzanne Baldwin (SU), Paul Fitzgerald (SU), Jeff Karson (SU), Scott Samson (SU), Jeff Vervoort (WSU).
M.S. Committee: Jeff Vervoort (WSU), John Watkinson (WSU), Reed Lewis (Idaho Geological Survey).

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