Timothy Eglinton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tim Eglinton
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Eglinton in 2014
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Timothy Ian Eglinton
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| Fields | Geology Carbon cycle Sedimentology |
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| Thesis | An investigation of kerogens using pyrolysis methods (1988) |
Timothy Ian Eglinton is a British geologist. He is a professor of biogeoscience at the Geological Institute, ETH Zürich. This means he studies how living things and Earth's systems interact.
Contents
Learning and Career
Early Studies
Tim Eglinton studied at Plymouth Polytechnic. In 1982, he earned a degree in environmental science. He then went to Newcastle University. There, he earned a Master of Science degree. In 1988, he completed his PhD. His research focused on kerogens using a method called pyrolysis. Kerogens are a type of organic matter found in rocks. Pyrolysis is a way to break them down using heat.
Understanding Earth's Carbon Cycle
Professor Eglinton's work helps us understand Earth's carbon cycle. This is how carbon moves through the air, land, and oceans. His research looks at tiny molecules. It also studies how carbon moves on a global scale. He also studies clues about past life and environments found in rocks.
He found new ways to track organic carbon. This is carbon from living things. He traced it from eroding land to rivers and oceans. His methods replaced old guesses with real data. This helped scientists understand how carbon moves.
His discoveries have solved mysteries about Earth's past climate. They have also shown new types of microbial life. He even found that tiny organisms can break down very old organic material. His work also tracks how carbon from oil moves in nature.
Awards and Recognition
In 2014, Professor Eglinton was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This is a very high honor for scientists in the United Kingdom.
Family Life
Timothy Eglinton's father was also a famous scientist. His name was Geoffrey Eglinton, and he was an organic chemist. Timothy Eglinton is married to Lorraine Eglinton. They have two daughters and one son.
