Cynthia Liutkus

Dr. Liutkus joined the Geology Department faculty in Fall 2005 after teaching for one year at Bucknell University as a Visiting Assistant Professor. She currently teaches Intro to Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Evolution of the Earth, and several introductory courses and labs.

Dr. Liutkus has three main areas of research interest. One aspect focuses on determining the origin, growth, and stable isotope signatures of non-pedogenic carbonates. This work studies plant casts that form in semi-arid playas in the western USA, called "phytocasts". Another aspect of her research uses techniques in sedimentology, stratigraphy, and stable isotope geochemistry to reconstruct rift basin systems in both the USA (in collaboration with the Virginia Museum of Natural History and the National Museums of Scotland) and in East Africa. Lastly, the third aspect of her research involves reconstructing hominin paleoenvironments in Africa, including several sites in Tanzania and Namibia that contain footprints of our early human ancestors. This work is being done in collaboration with several other institutions, including the Smithsonian Institute, George Washington University, Rutgers University, the University of the Witswatersrand, and the local governments of both countries.

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