University of Nevada, Reno

Experience

• Founding Director, Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, (2004-2009)
• Arthur Brant Endowed Chair for Exploration Geophysics, (1998 - Present)
• Acting Dean, Mackay School of Mines, (2003).
• Founding Director, Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy, (2000 - 2003)
• President and CEO, Desert Research Institute, University and Community College System of Nevada (1987 - 1998)
• Director, Newmont Mining Corp. (1986 - Present)
• Director, Earth Satellite Corp. (1998 - 2001)
• Dean, Mackay School of Mines and Professor of Geology and Geophysics, University of Nevada (1982- 1987).
• Chief, Non-Renewable Resources Branch, Office of Space and Terrestrial Applications, NASA Headquarters, Washington, D. C., Headquarters Program Scientist for the first scientific payload flown of the Shuttle, Magsat, and Heat Capacity Mapping Mission, (1979 - 1982).
• Principal Scientist, U. S. Geological survey Earth Observation Systems Data Center, U. S. Department of Interior (1975 - 1979).
• Chief, Remote Sensing and Senior Geologist, Iowa Geological Survey, Adjunct Professor of Geology, University of Iowa (1971-1974).

Current Research

• Applications of aerospace electromagnetic remote sensing, geographic information systems and aerospace geophysical techniques to resource exploration, environmental management and the study of the Earth as a planet.
  • Hyperspectral remote sensing in the reflected and thermal infrared for geologic applications.
  • Applications of Multispectral and interferometric SAR to geology.
• Process geomorphology and the Quaternary, global environmental change and natural hazards.
• Geothermal exploration, assessment, development and management.

Publications

Dr. Taranik has over 170 publications in the scientific literature dealing with Electromagnetic Remote Sensing and Geophysics applied to resource exploration and environmental management.