28 Remembering Dr. Mohamed Gamal Abdelsalam By: J. Knapp, B. Stern Edited by: ChatGPT and A. Burkett Dr. Mohamed Gamal Abdelsalam was a visionary geoscientist whose pioneering research on the tectonic evolution of Africa, particularly the Saharan Metacraton, continues to shape geological understanding worldwide. A dedicated educator and mentor, he left an enduring impact on both the scientific community and the many students he guided. Born on November 24, 1960, in Kassala, Sudan, Dr. Abdelsalam’s early fascination with geology was likely influenced by the striking granitic spires of his hometown. He earned his B.Sc. (1984) and M.Sc. (1987) in Geology from the University of Khartoum. His exceptional academic performance led to a government-funded opportunity to pursue his Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) under Dr. Robert Stern. Arriving in Dallas in 1988, he quickly gained recognition as a talented structural geologist and communicator. His Ph.D. focused on the Nakasib Suture in Sudan, combining remote sensing with fieldwork, an approach that became central to his career. He earned his doctorate in 1993 and published his research widely. Following his Ph.D., Dr. Abdelsalam helped establish UTD’s remote sensing lab, leading NASAsupported studies on basement structures beneath the Sahara. His expertise in processing and interpreting satellite data shaped his research for decades. In 2000, UTD recognized his contributions by appointing him as an assistant professor, where he developed coursework in remote sensing and structural geology. In 2006, he joined Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T), where he expanded his research on East African shear zones and paleo-drainage systems of the Nile Valley. During his tenure, he mentored numerous students and led NSF-funded projects in Ethiopia and Egypt. His leadership as Geology and Geophysics Graduate Coordinator helped improve student success and academic tracking. Dr. Abdelsalam became the Boone Pickens Chair of Applied Geophysics at Oklahoma State University (OSU) in 2012. He continued to lead research on African tectonics while co-founding OSU’s Tectonics Research Group, which gained national and international recognition. In 2017, he was named Editorin-Chief of the Journal of African Earth Sciences, where he upheld rigorous scientific standards while fostering research in African geoscience. His efforts earned him OSU’s highest faculty honor, Regents Professor, in 2021. Throughout his career, Dr. Abdelsalam’s contributions were immense. He authored over 100 publications (83 peer-reviewed), delivered 92 invited presentations, and contributed to 211 conference abstracts. His work garnered nearly 7,000 citations, reflecting his profound influence on the field. He was elected a Fellow of both the Geological Society of America and the Geological spring.2025
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