Dr. Arpita Nandi
Professor, Department Chair, Dept. of Geosciences
email: nandi@etsu.edu
ETSU GEOSCIENCES
https://www.etsu.edu/cas/geosciences/default.php
SHORT BIO
Arpita Nandi is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Geosciences, East Tennessee State University. She majored in Geology at the Calcutta University, India, and completed her doctoral studies in Engineering Geology at Kent State University, Ohio, USA. Her research involves landslide hazard mapping and mitigation using geospatial analysis, soil mechanics, physico-chemical behavior of soil, soil erosion studies, rock slope instability analysis, and weak rock geotechnical properties. She is actively involved in undergraduate and graduate education, research, and service. She teaches Engineering Geology, Soil Mechanics, and Scientific Methods in Geosciences, has received over $700,000 in research grants and published close to 40 peer-reviewed journal articles. One of her publications was recognized as one of the 30 most cited papers in 50th anniversary of the journal Engineering Geology.
In her professional service, Arpita serves as the chair of Environmental and Engineering Geology Division of Geological Society of America (GSA), and editorial board member of the GSA and Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologist (AEG) joint publication Environmental & Engineering Geoscience. She is a regular reviewer of geological, hazard, and geospatial journals, including but not limited to Environmental and Engineering Geology, Natural Hazards, Hydrogeology, Environmental Earth Science, Cartography and GIS, etc. As a member of the AEG, she was involved in multiple meeting planning committee. She is also a member of the AEG Landslide Technical Work Group. She is active in the community and visits regional schools to promote STEM education including Earth Sciences.
VISION
Arpita’s vision is to advance young individuals towards a professional career or higher education in the field of applied geosciences. The demand for professional geoscientists with geospatial skills is strong, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the job outlook for applied geoscience with geospatial capabilities will grow three times as fast as the national average. With the advance of the digital revolution, geoscientists now have access to innovative technologies. Arpita would like to promote the application of cutting edge and industry-standard technologies among the aspiring geoscientists.
Additionally, Arpita believes, building contacts and networking are essential to finding a successful career in geosciences. She encourages students to join a professional organization like GSA and AEG. She also urges current students, recent graduates, and young professionals to participate and present in the geosciences conferences and collaborative field trips.