John Hopper is a geologist and geophysicist and received a PhD from Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University, New York. He has more than 25 years of experience in applying geophysical methods to understand sedimentary basins and the plate tectonic development of continental margins with a particular focus on the North Atlantic and Arctic regions. He has been working at GEUS since 2008.
He has participated in many seismic expeditions, including four to the North Pole and has been involved with and managed several major multidisciplinary research projects.
“It is my ambition as a professor at GEUS to establish a research group that will work to further our understanding of how tectonic processes affect sedimentary basins with special focus on the implications for our natural resources as well as for environmental and climate changes,” says professor John Hopper.
A boost in geophysics
According to Nina Skaarup, head of the Department of Geophysics at GEUS, the new professorship is a way to make sure that GEUS keeps up with international developments in the geosciences.
”This professorship makes it possible to follow the international trend towards a better understanding of the tectonic development seen in the light of previous climate changes and in this way focus on the present climate changes,” Nina Skaarup says.
“John has worked many years in the Arctic and with the deep tectonics linked with climate changes. He has a large international network – both in the research environment and in industry – on which he can draw for the development of this area,” Nina Skaarup says.
Access to new and coming researchers
Another important aspect of the new professorship is to strengthen the co-operation with Danish and international universities.
“By creating a closer co-operation with the universities, we increase the possibilities for attracting masters and PhD students as well as post-doctoral scientists to GEUS – an advantage when applying for large research projects. At the same time, this will benefit GEUS’ strategic goal of publishing even more peer-reviewed papers,” Nina Skaarup says.
The co-operation with new and coming researchers has taken up much time of John Hopper’s work until now.
“I have throughout my career placed importance on mentoring and playing the role of sparring partner for students and young researchers. Nearly a fifth of my publications include students as first author and I see it as an important part of my new role at GEUS to help young researchers build up their own publication record,” says John Hopper.