Geobiology & Geomicrobiology Division

Mission Statement —

Geobiology and Geomicrobiology Division

Purpose:
The purpose of the Division is to bring together scientists working at the interface of biology and geology; to encompass the integration of these disciplines through time and across space; to simultaneously promote both the broad scope and detailed disciplinary work demanded of rigorous interdisciplinary research; to nurture this emerging spectrum of fields by active encouragement and mentoring of students; and to advise and assist the officers and committees of GSA in matters related to geobiology and geomicrobiology. Fields currently within this Division include: biogeochemistry, biomineralogy, geochemical ecology, paleontology, micropaleontology, origins of life and co-evolution of planets and life, paleobiology and paleoecology, molecular paleontology and ecology, systems modeling and informatics, and astrobiology.

Complete bylaws (PDF format)

Point by point explication of
Mission Statement components:

"To bring together scientists working at the interface of biology and geology;"
States the main, over-arching concept.
"to encompass the integration of these disciplines through time and across space;"
I wanted to make the dimensional scope covered absolutely clear. I didn't want "geo" to be narrowly construed as "Earth".
"to simultaneously promote both the broad scope and detailed disciplinary work demanded of rigorous interdisciplinary research;"
Geobiology & Geomicrobiology are intrinsically multidisciplinary. I think it imperative to directly address a frequent criticism of interdisciplinary science, i.e. that it is somehow "softer" and less rigorous than more traditionally defined disciplines. I do not believe that this is necessarily the case, even though the problems that we deal with can be more challenging to treat stringently.
"to nurture this emerging spectrum of fields by active encouragement and mentoring of students;"
I'm sick of bland statements about helping students that are included in so many things, when they are often the most hypocritical of lip service exercises. I think we should interact with students proactively. There is still much inertia in the formal academic culture that serves to divert and discourage students from entering difficult multidisciplinary fields. I hope we can help to counteract that.
"and to advise and assist the officers and committees of GSA in geobiology and geomicrobiology related matters."
This seems to be proforma for the existing Division mission statements, and we do intend to place ourselves at the disposal of the officiate.
"Fields currently within this Division include: Biogeochemistry, Biomineralogy, Geochemical Ecology, Paleoecology, Micropaleontology, Origins of Life and Co-evolution of Planets and Life, Paleobiology and Paleoecology, Molecular Paleontology and Ecology, Systems Modeling and Informatics, and Astrobiology."
I have mixed feelings about including this laundry list. Many people suggested topics at the meeting, however, I believe that these may have been most useful as a thinking tool. I think the primary rationale for leaving such a list in the Mission Statement may be to acquaint and (dare I say?) peak the curiosity of those who are unfamiliar with the meaning of Geobiology and Geomicrobiology. I leave it up to others to decide how it strikes them. I have taken the long list of suggestions from my notes, combined some and renamed some, and decided that a few were clearly subsumed within another category.