GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES AT BROWN UNIVERSITY
Faculty Profile

	KAREN M. FISCHER Professor
	Tectonophysics/Geophysics
	GeoChemistry Building, Room 163
	401-863-1360
	401-863-2058 (fax)
	Karen_Fischer@brown.edu (email)

Research Synopsis:
The overall goal of my research is to more clearly image the structure of the Earth’s crust and mantle using seismic waves in order to better understand dynamic processes inside the Earth. Our work has focused on three topics: the continental lithosphere and its interactions with the deeper mantle, mantle flow and melting processes in subduction zones, and the nature of the core-mantle boundary. These studies blend analysis of observed seismic body and surface waves – often gathered through temporary field deployments of seismic stations – with numerical modeling of mantle processes and prediction of theoretical waveforms.

Education:
Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1989), Geophysics
B.S. Yale University (1983), Geology and Geophysics

Professional Experience:
2002-present: Professor of Geological Sciences, Brown University

2004-2007: Royce Family Professor in Teaching Excellence , Brown University

1996-2002: Associate Professor of Geological Sciences, Brown University

1990-1996: Assistant Professor of Geological Sciences, Brown University

1989-1990: Postdoctoral Fellow, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University

1983-1988: Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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