Jean M Self-Trail, Ph.D.
Jean M Self-Trail is a Research Geologist, USGS Florence Bascom Geoscience Center.
I conduct basic research on calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy, paleoclimate, lithostratigraphy, and sequence stratigraphy. This work is focused primarily on the U.S. Atlantic Coastal Plain, for the purpose of understanding the geologic framework, the effect that changing climate had on shallow marine systems and coastal regions, and for characterizing strata that are major aquifers for water resources.
Employment
- 2001-Present: Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Eastern Geology & Paleoclimate Science Center, Reston, Virginia.
- Project Chief (2021-present), Atlantic Subsurface Stratigraphic Initiative
- Staff Geologist (2018-present), Gulf Coast Project
- Staff Geologist (2017-2018) Eastern Coastal Plain Geologic Mapping Project
- Staff Geologist (2017-2018) Eocene Hyperthermals Project
- Staff Geologist (2015-2017), Eastern Coastal Plain Studies Project.
- Co-Project Chief (2008-2015), Atlantic Watersheds Project.
- Co-Project Chief (1999-2008), Carolina Conitnental Margin Project.
- Staff Geologist (1999-2008), Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater Project.
- 2007-2016: Adjunct Professor, Northern Virginia Community College, Sterling, VA, (Historical Geology, Physical Geology, Microfossil Laboratory Techniques).
- 2007-2013: Graduate Faculty Appointment, University of North Carolina, Wilmington, NC.
- 1994-2001: Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Eastern Earth Surface Processes Team, Reston, Virginia.
- Staff Geologist (1995-2000), Southeastern Coastal Plain Project.
- 1997: Research Assistant, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE.
- 1991-1993: Teaching Assistant, University of Delaware, Newark, DE (Physical Geology, Historical Geology, Paleontology).
- 1988-1995: Physical Science Technician, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Branch of Paleontology and Stratigraphy, Reston, Virginia.
Other Activities
- 2017-Present: Board of Directors, Micropaleontology Press (journals Stratigraphy and Micropaleontology).
- 2016-Present: Editor for the journal Stratigraphy.
- 2014-Present: Board of Trustees, Katharina von Salis Endowment, International Nannoplankton Association Foundation. We provide a yearly grant to one graduate student for research on any subject pertaining to fossil calcareous nannoplankton.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. (2001) – Geology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE.
M.S. (1994) – Geology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE.
B.S. (1988) – Geology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
Affiliations and Memberships*
Geological Society of America (GSA)
International Nannoplankton Association (INA)
Paleontological Society of Washington (PSW)
Honors and Awards
2014 Superior Service Award (for work on PETM and Eocene hyperthermals), USGS.
2012 Adjunct Faculty of the Year (nominated), Northern Virginia Community College.
1993 Best Teaching Assistant, Department of Geology, University of Delaware.
1991 Department Scholarship, Department of Geology, University of Delaware.
1991 Women in Sciences Award, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Delaware.
Science and Products
Enhanced terrestrial runoff during Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 on the North Carolina Coastal Plain, USA
Depositional sequence stratigraphy of Turonian to Santonian sediments, Cape Fear arch, North Carolina Coastal Plain, USA
Geology and biostratigraphy of the Upper Floridan aquifer in the greater Savannah region, Georgia and South Carolina
Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum prolonged by fossil carbon oxidation
Cross section of the North Carolina coastal plain from Enfield through Cape Hatteras
Evidence for shelf acidification during the onset of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum
Ecological changes in the nannoplankton community across a shelf transect during the onset of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum
Biostratigraphic and morphometric analyses of specimens from the calcareous nannofossil genus Tribrachiatus
Shallow marine response to global climate change during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, Salisbury Embayment, USA
Nannoplankton malformation during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum and its paleoecological and paleoceanographic significance
Quantification of a pretreatment procedure for organic-rich calcareous nannofossil samples
Late Paleocene glyptosaur (Reptilia: Anguidae) osteoderms from South Carolina, USA
Science and Products
Enhanced terrestrial runoff during Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 on the North Carolina Coastal Plain, USA
Depositional sequence stratigraphy of Turonian to Santonian sediments, Cape Fear arch, North Carolina Coastal Plain, USA
Geology and biostratigraphy of the Upper Floridan aquifer in the greater Savannah region, Georgia and South Carolina
Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum prolonged by fossil carbon oxidation
Cross section of the North Carolina coastal plain from Enfield through Cape Hatteras
Evidence for shelf acidification during the onset of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum
Ecological changes in the nannoplankton community across a shelf transect during the onset of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum
Biostratigraphic and morphometric analyses of specimens from the calcareous nannofossil genus Tribrachiatus
Shallow marine response to global climate change during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, Salisbury Embayment, USA
Nannoplankton malformation during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum and its paleoecological and paleoceanographic significance
Quantification of a pretreatment procedure for organic-rich calcareous nannofossil samples
Late Paleocene glyptosaur (Reptilia: Anguidae) osteoderms from South Carolina, USA
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government