Precambrian Research Center

Board of Advisors

The Precambrian Research Center will organize a Board of Advisors whose role is to offer advice and counsel on PRC programs.  The Board will also serve as a vehicle for communication and interaction between the PRC, academia, geological surveys, and the mineral industry and will be composed of at least 10 permanent positions.  Two of these will be filled by the heads of the PRC’s supervising institutions (NRRI's Center for Applied Research and Development (CARTD) and the Department of Geological Sciences) or their appointees.  Three chairs will be filled by representatives from the Minnesota Geological Survey (its Director), the U.S. Geological Survey, and a Canadian survey (Canadian Geological Survey, Ontario Geological Survey or Manitoba Geological Survey).  Three chairs will be filled by leading academics that are renowned for their field-based research of Precambrian rocks.  The final chairs will be filled by the directors of the PRC.  Two chairs will be filled by prominent geologists selected from the minerals industry.  Additional chairs will be created to accommodate industry members who have contributed to the PRC at the highest (Diamond) membership level.  In addition to being ambassadors for the PRC in the larger geological community, the board will provide fresh and objective viewpoints to the PRC on strategy, curriculum, funding opportunities, and research programs.  Board members may also engage our students as co-op employers, mentors and guest speakers. 

Permanent Board Members

NRRI position - Donald Fosnacht, Director, Center for Applied Research and Development

UMD position -Howard Mooers, Head, Department of Geological Sciences

MGS position -Harvey Thorleifson, Director, Minnesota Geological Survey

USGS position - William Cannon, Senior Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey - Reston

Canadian Survey position - Alan Bailes, Chief Geologist, Manitoba Geological Survey

First Academic position - Anthony Naldrett, Emeritus Professor of Geology, University of Toronto

Second Academic position - James Franklin, formerly Chief Scientist, Geological Survey of Canada

Third Academic position - Bruce Marsh, Professor of Geology, Johns Hopkins University

First Industry position - Odin Christensen, former Chief Geologist, Newmont Mining Corporation

Second Industry position - open

Industry Board Members

Membership drive beginning February 2007