James Quick, professor of earth sciences, joined the SMU faculty in 2007 as the University's first associate vice president for research and dean of graduate studies after a 25-year career with the U.S. Geological Survey. Quick chaired the SMU faculty task force that outlined the need for the new Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, leading to its establishment in 2019, followed by his appointment as its inaugural dean in 2020. He earned his doctorate at the California Institute of Technology. Over the course of his professional career, Quick worked with an international team of scientists to study the magmatic evolution of the deep crust - the birthplace of the magmas that produce the largest explosive eruptions. From 1996 to 2004, he supervised a group of more than 100 earth scientists conducting research on environmental and hazard-related issues in the United States and abroad, and from 2004 through 2007 he directed the USGS Volcano Hazards Program. In 2010, Italian geologists awarded him the Capellini Medal in recognition of the discovery of a 280 million-year-old fossil super volcano in the Italian Alps. In 2013, he was named as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science .
James Quick, professor of earth sciences, joined the SMU faculty in 2007 as the University's first associate vice president for research and dean of graduate studies after a 25-year career with the U.S. Geological Survey. Quick chaired the SMU faculty task force that outlined the need for the new Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, leading to its establishment in 2019, followed by his appointment as its inaugural dean in 2020. He earned his doctorate at the California Institute of Technology. Over the course of his professional career, Quick worked with an international team of scientists to study the magmatic evolution of the deep crust - the birthplace of the magmas that produce the largest explosive eruptions. From 1996 to 2004, he supervised a group of more than 100 earth scientists conducting research on environmental and hazard-related issues in the United States and abroad, and from 2004 through 2007 he directed the USGS Volcano Hazards Program. In 2010, Italian geologists awarded him the Capellini Medal in recognition of the discovery of a 280 million-year-old fossil super volcano in the Italian Alps. In 2013, he was named as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science .