Alexander Halliday facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Alexander Halliday
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Sir Alexander Norman Halliday (born August 11, 1952) is a British scientist who studies the Earth. He is a geochemist, which means he looks at the chemistry of rocks and planets. He helped start the Columbia Climate School and used to lead the Earth Institute at Columbia University in the United States. He is also a professor there, teaching about Earth and environmental sciences. Before joining Columbia, he worked at the University of Oxford in the UK for over ten years.
Early Life and Education
Sir Alex Halliday was born in Penzance, a town in Cornwall, UK. He went to Humphry Davy Grammar School where he first studied geology. Geology is the study of the Earth's solid features, like rocks and mountains. He earned his first university degree and his advanced PhD degree in geology from Newcastle University in 1977.
His Career Journey
Sir Alex Halliday was a professor of geochemistry at the University of Oxford from 2004 to 2018. Before that, he taught for twelve years at the University of Michigan. He also spent six years in Switzerland, leading the Earth Sciences Department at ETH Zurich. His work uses special methods to study how Earth and other planets were formed and how they change.
He has led many important science groups. He was president of the Geochemical Society and the European Association of Geochemistry. He also led a section of the American Geophysical Union. Sir Alex has been part of many top science groups. These include the Natural Environment Research Council and the Royal Society. He also worked with the Natural History Museum in London. From 2007 to 2015, he led the science and engineering division at Oxford. In 2014, he became a vice-president of the UK's Royal Society. Today, he is a Fellow of the Royal Society. He is also a Foreign Associate of the US National Academy of Sciences.
At Columbia University, Sir Alex works as a professor. He spends his time between the main campus and his special lab. This lab is at the Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory.
What He Researches
Alex Halliday is known for his work in isotope geochemistry. This is a field where scientists use tiny parts of atoms (called isotopes) to understand things. He uses new tools called mass spectrometry to study the Earth and planets. He loves using new technology in his research.
Most of his recent work focuses on how our solar system began. He also studies how the Earth has changed over time. For example, he looks at how continents wear away. He also studies how the climate changes. But his research is not just about that. He has also studied how volcanoes erupt. He also looks at how important minerals and oil deposits are formed. He has written over 400 research papers with many other scientists.
Awards and Honors
Sir Alex Halliday has received many awards for his scientific work. These include the Murchison Medal from the Geological Society. He also won the Bowen Award and Hess Medal from the American Geophysical Union. The European Association of Geochemistry gave him the Urey Medal. He also received the Oxburgh Medal.
In 2000, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK. In 2015, he became a Foreign Associate of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. In 2019, he was made a Knight Bachelor. This means he can be called "Sir" for his great work in science and new ideas. He also has an honorary degree from the University of St Andrews.
