Alexander Halliday facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Alexander Halliday
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Sir Alexander Norman Halliday, born on August 11, 1952, is a famous British scientist. He is a geochemist, which means he studies the chemistry of the Earth. Sir Alexander helped start the Columbia Climate School and used to lead the Earth Institute at Columbia University. He joined the Earth Institute in April 2018. Before that, he worked at the University of Oxford for over ten years. He was also a professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Columbia University.
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Growing Up and School
Sir Alexander Halliday was born in Penzance, a town in Cornwall, UK. He went to school at the Humphry Davy Grammar School. There, he started learning about geology, which is the study of Earth's rocks and history. He continued his studies at Newcastle University. In 1977, he earned his first degree and then his PhD in geology from Newcastle University.
A Career in Science
Teaching and Research
From 2004 to 2018, Sir Alexander was a Professor of Geochemistry at the University of Oxford. Before joining Oxford, he taught at the University of Michigan for twelve years. He also spent six years in Switzerland. There, he was in charge of the Earth Sciences Department at ETH Zurich. His work focuses on using special methods to study Earth and other planets.
Leading Science Groups
Sir Alexander has led many important science organizations. He was president of the Geochemical Society. He also led the European Association of Geochemistry. He was even in charge of the Volcanology, Geochemistry and Petrology Section of the American Geophysical Union. He has been part of many top science groups. These include the Royal Society and the US National Academy of Sciences. At Oxford, he led the science and engineering division from 2007 to 2015. In 2014, he became a vice-president of the UK's Royal Society.
Exploring Earth and Space
How He Studies Things
Alex Halliday is known for his work with isotope geochemistry. This involves using special tools called mass spectrometry techniques. These tools help him study the tiny parts of atoms called isotopes. He uses these methods to learn about Earth and other planets.
What He Discovers
Sir Alexander loves new technology. Most of his recent work uses new mass spectrometry tools. These tools help him understand how our Solar System began. They also help him learn about how Earth has changed recently. For example, he studies how land wears away and how climate changes. He has also studied how volcanoes erupt. He has looked into how valuable minerals and oil deposits form. Sir Alexander has written over 400 research papers.
Awards and Special Honors
Sir Alexander Halliday's scientific work has earned him many awards. He received 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 was chosen as 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 use "Sir" before his name. This honor was for his important work in science and new ideas. He also has an Honorary Degree from the University of St Andrews.
