Joaquin Ruiz

Joaquin Ruiz is a Professor of Geosciences at The University of Arizona, with a focus on geochemistry. He earned his B.S. in Geology and Chemistry from the University of Miami in 1977, followed by an M.S. in Geology in 1980 and a Ph.D. in Geology in 1983, both from the University of Michigan. His academic career began as an Assistant Professor at the University of Miami from 1982 to 1983. In 1983, he joined the University of Arizona's Department of Geosciences as an Assistant Professor, advancing to Associate Professor in 1989 and Full Professor in 1993. He served as Department Head from 1995 to 2000, Dean of the College of Science from 2000 to 2019, Executive Dean of the Colleges of Letters, Arts, and Science from 2009 to 2018, and Vice President for Innovation from 2013 to 2019. Currently, he holds the positions of Director and Thomas R. Brown Chair at Biosphere 2 since 2013, Vice President of Global Environmental Futures since 2019, Executive Director of the Alfie Norville Gem and Mineral Museum, and Executive Director of the France-Arizona Institute.

Ruiz's research addresses fundamental problems in Earth Sciences, including the development of new isotope systems for studying ore deposits, tectonic processes in the growth and evolution of Mexico, and issues ranging from the origins of life to present-day climate change. He is a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists and a member of the American Geophysical Union, American Chemical Society, Geochemical Society, National Research Council of the National Academies of Science, and Mexican Academy of Sciences. In 2010, he was named a National Researcher by the Mexican government for his scientific contributions and collaborations enhancing Mexico's scientific capacity. In 2018, the Mexican Secretary of State recognized him as one of forty distinguished Mexican citizens living abroad. He has held leadership roles such as President of the Geological Society of America (2010-2011), Secretary of the Volcanology Section of the American Geophysical Union, Councillor of the Geological Society of America, and Associate Editor for journals including the American Journal of Science, Geology, Revista, and Geofísica International. His extensive administrative and scientific leadership has significantly impacted geoscience education and research at the University of Arizona and beyond.