Dr Jaime Urrutia-Fucugauchi
Presidente, Mexican Academy of Sciences (UNAM), Mexico.
Dr Jaime Urrutia-Fucugauchi is a professor at the National University of Mexico (UNAM) Geophysics Institute and the Postgraduate Programs in Earth and Marine Sciences and Engineering. He has a Doctoral Degree from the School of Physics, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, England (1980) and a Master in Science (1976) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Geophysics (1975) from UNAM. He was a visiting researcher at the University of Michigan, USA in1982-1983. Dr Urrutia-Fucugauchi’s interests center on the System Earth and planetary sciences, working on paleomagnetism, tectonics, geophysical exploration, paleoclimatology, impact craters and meteorites. He has conducted projects on paleomagnetism, tectonics, geophysical exploration, Chicxulub impact crater, extinction of organisms, Allende meteorite and the origin and evolution of the solar system and contributed to the tectonic evolution and paleogeography of Mexico, formation of the Pangea supercontinent, continental break-up and tectonic rotations, He has undertaken studies in geomagnetism, rock magnetism, mineral exploration.
His research is multi-disciplinary, involving collaboration with colleagues from different fields and countries. Dr Urrutia-Fucugauchi has published over 240 articles in international magazines and created a network of laboratories of Paleomagnetism, Nuclear Geophysics, Magnetic Properties, Radiocarbon Dating, Core Analysis, Seismic Processing and Sequence Stratigraphy. He teaches courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and has supervised 100 theses (21 doctoral, 30 master’s, 49 bachelor’s) and 7 post-doctoral researchers Additionally, Dr Urrutia-Fucugauchi has edited 14 special volumes, including the book Extreme Natural Hazards, published by Cambridge University Press. Through the organization of events and expositions, publication of magazine articles and books, conferences and participation in radio and television programs, Dr Urrutia-Fucugauchi actively contributes to outreach activities. In 2011 he received the Quo-discovery distinction for his studies on Chicxulub and the evolution of life. He has participated in the International Year of Physics and International Planet Earth Programs, the International Physics Olympiad, the National Science Communication Encounter, CAM Physics Conference, and other programs. Dr Urrutia-Fucugauchi is the scientific advisor for the Chicxulub and Dinosaur Extinction Exposition at the Great Maya World Museum and for the Chicxulub Science Museum in the Yucatán Science and Technology Park. Part of Dr Urrutia-Fucugauchi’s interests is directed towards international collaboration programs and organizations; he is an active participant in scientific societies and international endeavors. He has participated in organizing the 2013 Joint Assembly of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), the 2010 Humboldt Conference and Merida GIFT Workshop of the European Geosciences Union, Symposium on Natural Disasters EHANS and the Meeting of the Americas. Dr Urrutia-Fucugauchi is chair of TWAS-Mexico Chapter of the TWAS World Academy of Sciences. The programs involve collaboration among Latin American and Caribbean countries. He has participated in the International Continental Drilling Program as a member of the Board, the Executive Committee and the Scientific Advisory Board. He is coordinator of the drilling projects at Chicxulub. Dr Urrutia-Fucugauchi was responsible for organizing the Earth and Space Science Society Presidents’ Convocation, the AGU congress’s special international collaboration sessions in the USA, Canada, Brazil and Australia and participated in the Geosciences Global Initiative. He was a board member for the International Year of Planet Earth 2007-2010, International Secretary and Board of Directors member at AGU (American Geophysical Union) 2006-2010 member of Nominating Committee of the American Geosciences Institute, member of AGU Governance Committee 2010-2014 and Board of Directors of the American Institute of Physics (2006-2014). Dr Urrutia-Fucugauchi is President of the Mexican Academy of Sciences (2014-2017); member of the Governing Board of the National Autonomous University of Mexico -UNAM- (2013-2020) and member of The National College -El Colegio Nacional- (since 2013). Dr Urrutia-Fucugauchi was Director of the UNAM Geophysics Institute from 1997-2005 and president of the Mexican Physics Society, Mexican Geophysical Union, Mexican Quaternary Studies Union, College of Geophysical Engineers, TWAS Mexico Chapter, Geophysical Engineering Commission and Treasurer of the Mexican Academy of Sciences. Dr Urrutia-Fucugauchi ’s work has been recognized, receiving the 2009 National Prize of Sciences and Arts, 2013 International Award from the American Geophysical Union, Valencio 2013 Award from the Latin American Association of Paleomagnetism, National University Award 2007, Mexican Academy of Sciences Award 1991, Bárcena Award from the Mexican Geophysical Union 2010, Potosí Award 2010, Noriega Award from the American State Organization 1992, Koerdell Award from Mexican Geophysical Union 1991, Ezequiel Chávez Professorship Award from the College of Sciences and Humanities 1992, 1988 Puebla Award and 1986 Valles Award. Additionally, Dr Urrutia-Fucugauchi became a TWAS Fellow in 2004 and Geological Society of America Fellow in 2010.