A laboratory that will position the College of Geosciences at Texas A&M University to be a leader nationally in geochronology, environmental and climate-change research will be dedicated and formally opened Saturday (May 3). The facility, the R. Ken Williams ’45 Radiogenic Isotope Geosciences Laboratory, bears the name of the Midland oilman who has committed more than $2 million to making it a reality.

Students in the College of Geosciences earned three first place prizes, one second place prize, and three third place prizes, as well as several special awards in the 11^th Annual Student Research Week held March 24-28. Over 50 faculty and students from the College participated in Student Research Week which recognizes and celebrates student research at Texas A&M.

Researchers at Texas A&M University have confirmed for the first time that a “dead zone” has existed off the Texas coast for at least the past 23 years and will likely remain there, causing potential harmful effects to marine life in the area.

Are you a Geosciences student? Do you want a job some day? Would you like to win a $500 scholarship? Then be sure to attend the Geosciences Student Association (GSA) Career Fair on Wednesday, April 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in MSC rooms 224, 225 and 226. All students who attend will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a $500 scholarship from Chevron.

Xiaoqian "Michael" Zhang, a Ph.D. student in Oceanography in the College of Geosciences, won the "Outstanding Student Presentation" award at the 2008 Ocean Sciences Meeting in Orlando, Florida, March 2-7.

A new early warning system for harmful algae passed its first test this month as Texas A&M University researchers were alerted of an impending bloom of toxic algae on the Texas coast. Professor Lisa Campbell of the Department of Oceanography, working with developers of the Imaging FlowCytobot, Dr. Rob Olson and Dr. Heidi Sosik of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, deployed the system at the UT-Marine Sciences Institute Pier in Port Aransas, TX.