Timothy Masterlark,
Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering at
South Dakota Mines, has been selected by the National Academy of Sciences for a
Jefferson Science Fellowship (JSF). He was sworn into the program via virtual
ceremony on Jan 4.
Timothy
Masterlark, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Geology and Geological
Engineering at South Dakota Mines, has been selected by the National Academy of Sciences for a Jefferson Science Fellowship (JSF). During
his yearlong fellowship in Washington, D.C., Masterlark will take an advisory
role with the U.S. Department of State to provide expertise in policy decisions
for rapidly advancing science, technology and engineering arenas that have a global
impact.
Masterlark
will be part of the Special Programs team attached to the Bureau of Diplomatic
Security, High Threat Programs Directorate. His activities will include
developing policy and planning to help enhance, enact and enforce security
standards that protect U.S. diplomatic operations. Additionally, he will work
on emergency preparedness and crisis response with the Department of Defense
and the interagency community. During the fellowship year, Masterlark will also
deliver a lecture as part of the JSF Distinguished Lecture Series.
Masterlark’s
expertise in geophysics includes research into the causes of natural disasters.
This may seem unrelated to the security mission of the State Department but
Masterlark says, “I spent my entire career developing numerical models to study
natural hazards and risk assessments for earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis.
Adapting these skills to risk assessments needed by the Special Programs team
is a natural extension of my capabilities.”
Masterlark
is also a veteran: he served four years in the United States Army’s 82nd
Airborne Division. “As a patriot, I am eager to contribute this integration of
my career, lifestyle and world view toward improving global security and the
betterment of society,” he says. Masterlark currently serves as the Honorary
Commander of the 28th Munitions Squadron, 28th Bomb Wing,
Ellsworth AFB, SD.
Masterlark’s
participation in the JSF will bring national and international attention to
South Dakota and the far-reaching impact of South Dakota Mines. “Tim
Masterlark is a fantastic representative of the high-caliber faculty we are
fortunate to have at South Dakota Mines. His exemplary service is an
inspiration to the entire university community,” says South Dakota Mines
President Jim Rankin.
Masterlark
begins his fellowship in January 2021. Following his tenure as a JSF fellow in
Washington, D.C., he will return to his work as a professor at South Dakota
Mines. He will remain available to the US State Department as a consultant for short-term
projects over the subsequent five years.
View
the National Academy of Sciences press release on the 2020-21 Jefferson Science Fellows here.