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
Stratigraphic revision of the Cooper Group and the Chandler and Edisto Formations in the Coastal Plain of South Carolina
Comparison of three preservation techniques for slowing dissolution of calcareous nannofossils in organic rich sediments
The Sunny Point Formation: a new Upper Cretaceous subsurface unit in the Carolina Coastal Plain
Inside the crater, outside the crater: Stratigraphic details of the margin of the Chesapeake Bay impact structure, Virginia, USA
The Eocene-Oligocene sedimentary record in the Chesapeake Bay impact structure: Implications for climate and sea-level changes on the western Atlantic margin
Paleontological interpretations of crater processes and infilling of synimpact sediments from the Chesapeake Bay impact structure
Preliminary physical stratigraphy and geophysical data of the USGS Hope Plantation core (BE-110), Bertie County, North Carolina
Drilling the central crater of the Chesapeake Bay Impact Structure: A first look
Supergroup stratigraphy of the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains (Middle? Jurassic through holocene, Eastern North America)
Preliminary physical stratigraphy and geophysical data of the USGS Elizabethtown core (BL-244/BL-C-1-2003), Bladen County, North Carolina
Overview of the biostratigraphy and paleoecology of sediments from five cores from Screven and Burke Counties, Georgia
Preliminary stratigraphic database for the subsurface Tertiary and uppermost Cretaceous sediments of Dorchester County, South Carolina
Science and Products
Stratigraphic revision of the Cooper Group and the Chandler and Edisto Formations in the Coastal Plain of South Carolina
Comparison of three preservation techniques for slowing dissolution of calcareous nannofossils in organic rich sediments
The Sunny Point Formation: a new Upper Cretaceous subsurface unit in the Carolina Coastal Plain
Inside the crater, outside the crater: Stratigraphic details of the margin of the Chesapeake Bay impact structure, Virginia, USA
The Eocene-Oligocene sedimentary record in the Chesapeake Bay impact structure: Implications for climate and sea-level changes on the western Atlantic margin
Paleontological interpretations of crater processes and infilling of synimpact sediments from the Chesapeake Bay impact structure
Preliminary physical stratigraphy and geophysical data of the USGS Hope Plantation core (BE-110), Bertie County, North Carolina
Drilling the central crater of the Chesapeake Bay Impact Structure: A first look
Supergroup stratigraphy of the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains (Middle? Jurassic through holocene, Eastern North America)
Preliminary physical stratigraphy and geophysical data of the USGS Elizabethtown core (BL-244/BL-C-1-2003), Bladen County, North Carolina
Overview of the biostratigraphy and paleoecology of sediments from five cores from Screven and Burke Counties, Georgia
Preliminary stratigraphic database for the subsurface Tertiary and uppermost Cretaceous sediments of Dorchester County, South Carolina
*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