The Louisiana State University Department of Geology & Geophysics is excited to welcome Dr. Carol Wicks as new chair of the department. Prior to her appointment with LSU, Dr. Wicks has worked fifteen years in higher education, serving most recently as a professor with the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Before arriving at Mizzou (Univerisity of Missouri) in September of 1993, Dr. Wicks was a post-doctoral fellow in the U.S. Geological Survey's Water Resource Division. She worked there a year and a half prior to obtaining an assistant professor position with Mizzou.

An avid researcher, Dr. Wicks’ studies focus on understanding the linkages between hydrology and biology of karst systems. She has written numerous journal articles on this topic, as well as served on NSF panels and been an Associate Editor for journals, such as Water Resources Research and Ground Water. She has also authored and co-authored several books and book chapters.

Dr. Wicks’ professional society memberships include the Geological Society of America, the American Geophysical Union, and the National Ground Water Association. She is a fellow of the Geological Society of America (GSA) and the National Speleological Society. Dr. Wicks currently serves as Chair for the Hydrogeology Division of GSA. Other recent leadership positions include, Vice President of the Karst Water Institute (2007-present) and President of the Karst Waters Institute (2004-2007).

A native of Clayton, New York, Dr. Wicks earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering at Clarkson University in New York. She then pursued a master’s degree in chemical engineering, and later another master’s degree in environmental science, both from the University of Virginia. She received her Ph.D. in 1992 from the University of Virginia.

Dr. Wicks is married to Butler Stringfield, an LSU alumnus and native Louisianian. They have one son, Peter Stringfield, who is currently completing his junior year of high school back in Missouri.