David Applegate (geologist)

David Applegate is an American academic who has served as director of the United States Geological Survey since 2022. He is also a professor at the University of Utah.

David Applegate
Applegate in 2022
18th Director of the United States Geological Survey
Assumed office
August 15, 2022
PresidentJoe Biden
Preceded byJames F. Reilly
Acting
In office
January 20, 2021 – August 15, 2022
Personal details
EducationYale University (BS)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (PhD)
Scientific career
FieldsGeology
Institutions
ThesisThe unroofing history of the funeral mountains metamorphic core complex, California (1994)
Doctoral advisorKip Hodges

Education

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Applegate earned a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from Yale University and a PhD in geology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.[1]

Career

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Applegate is an adjunct full professor at the University of Utah. From 2004 to 2011, he served as senior science advisor for earthquake and geologic hazards at the United States Geological Survey. Since May 2011, he has served as associate director of the USGS for natural hazards.

USGS Nomination

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On January 20, 2021, Applegate began serving as acting director of the USGS.[2] On March 8, 2022, President Joe Biden nominated Applegate to serve as director of the agency.[3][4] Hearings on his nomination were held before the Senate Energy Committee on April 28, 2022. The committee favorably reported his nomination to the Senate floor on June 14, 2022.[5] His nomination was confirmed by the Senate by voice vote.[6] He was sworn in by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland on August 15, 2022.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Dave Applegate, Ph.D. | U.S. Geological Survey". www.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2022-03-08.
  2. ^ a b "David Applegate Sworn In as Director of the U.S. Geological Survey". United States Department of the Interior. 2022-08-15. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
  3. ^ "President Biden Announces Key Nominees". The White House. 2022-03-08. Retrieved 2022-03-08.
  4. ^ "Dr. David Applegate, USGS Geologist, Honored for Contributions to Public Understanding of Geoscience". American Geosciences Institute. 2018-10-23. Retrieved 2022-03-08.
  5. ^ "Business Meeting: Pending Nominations". U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. 14 June 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  6. ^ "PN1830 - Nomination of David Applegate for Department of the Interior, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". www.congress.gov. 28 April 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
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Government offices
Preceded by 18th Director of the United States Geological Survey
2021 – present
Incumbent