Geosciences Professor Honored by Society for Sedimentary Geology

Recently, Kurt Sundell, assistant professor of geosciences, was named the 2025 winner of the James Lee Wilson Award by the Society for Sedimentary Geology. The accolade recognizes “excellence in sedimentary geology by a young scientist” and geologists “who have achieved a significant record of research accomplishments in sedimentary geology, including all aspects of modern and ancient sedimentology, stratigraphy, and paleontology, fundamental and applied.”

“I am honored to even be nominated, let alone receive the award,” said Sundell. “It's especially flattering because I look up to those who have won it before so much.”

“Kurt is a phenomenal researcher, and it couldn't have gone to a more deserving recipient,” said Shannon Kobs Nawotniak, professor and chair of the geosciences department. “We're lucky to have him at ISU, where he brings  innovative ideas and insights into the classroom.”

Sundell will be formally recognized at an awards ceremony in October at The Geological Society of America’s GSA Connects conference in San Antonio, Texas.

A current research project Sundell and his students are working on delves into the geologic processes that formed the Green River Basin in Wyoming. The basin was once home to an ancient lake, Lake Gosiute, roughly 50 million years ago. 

For more information on ISU’s Department of Geosciences, visit isu.edu/geosciences.