Mailing Address

U.S. Geological Survey

Denver Federal Center

Box 25046, MS-980

Denver CO 80225

Contact Information

303-236-7870 (phone)

303-564-5854 (cell)

303-236-5349 (fax)

jpigati@usgs.gov

2009-

Research Geologist

U.S. Geological Survey, Geologic Division, Denver CO

2008

Mendenhall Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

U.S. Geological Survey, Geologic Division, Tucson AZ and Denver CO

Focus:  Evaluation of spring discharge deposits in the Mojave Desert, California

2006

Research Scientist, Ike Russell Post-Doctoral Fellowship

University of Arizona Desert Laboratory, Tumamoc Hill, Tucson, Arizona.

Focus:  Design, construction, and evaluation of a low-level ¹⁴C extraction system

2004

Ph.D., Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

Thesis:  Experimental developments and application of carbon-14 and in situ cosmogenic nuclide dating techniques

Advisors:  J. Quade, J. Cole, A.J.T. Jull, N. Lifton, M. Zreda

1996

M.S., Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

Thesis: Carbon isotopes in enamel bio-apatite: applications to paleodietary reconstruction and geochronology

Advisors: J. Quade, V. Baker, A. Long

1992

B.S., Geology, magna cum laude, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois

1991

Yellowstone-Bighorn Research Association Summer Field Camp, Red Lodge, Montana

2009

Lifton, N.A., and Pigati, J.S.  Development of automated in situ ¹⁴C extraction systems at the University of Arizona. National Science Foundation Instrumentation and Facilities Competition. Supplemental award amount – $44,000. Status – completed.

2008

Pigati, J.S., Latorre, C., Rech, J.A., and Betancourt, J.L., Evidence of an extraterrestrial impact or the result of natural processes? Physical and chemical analysis of Late Pleistocene wetland deposits in the Americas.  National Geographic Society's Committee for Research and Exploration.  Award #8507-08.  Award amount – $24,500.  Status – active.

2008

Pigati, J.S., and Shanahan, T.M., Calibration and initial application of a new proxy for reconstructing mean annual temperatures in desert wetlands using bacterial and archaeal membrane lipids.  U.S. Geological Survey Venture Capital Competition.  Award amount – $29,775.  Status – completed.

2008

Pigati, J.S., and Hughson, D., Hydrogeologic investigation of Henry Spring, Mojave Desert, California.  National Park Service Research Program.  Award amount – $12,840.  Status – completed.

2007

Lifton, N.A., and Pigati, J.S.  Development of automated in situ ¹⁴C extraction systems at the University of Arizona. National Science Foundation Instrumentation and Facilities Competition. Award amount - $223,950. Status – completed.

2006

Pigati, J.S, Rech, J.A., and Nekola, J.C.  Collaborative research: Radiocarbon dating of North American terrestrial gastropod shells.  National Science Foundation Sedimentary Geology and Paleobiology Competition.  Award #EAR-0614840.  Award amount - $81,384 (total $208,130).  Status - completed.

2006

Pigati, J.S.  Evaluation of spring discharge deposits in the Mojave Desert: chronology, stratigraphy, and paleoclimatic interpretations.  United States Geological Survey Mendenhall Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship.  Award #2006-26.  Award amount - $183,250.  Status – completed.

2004

Quade, J., Pigati, J.S., Lifton, N.A., and Jull, A.J.T.  Construction of a low-level ¹⁴C facility at the University of Arizona.  National Science Foundation Archeometry Competition.  Award #BCS-0404823.  Award amount - $164,725.  Status - completed.

2002

Pigati, J.S.  Determination of the production rate of in situ cosmogenic ¹⁴C in olivine from the Tabernacle Hill basalt flow, central Utah.  University of Arizona Department of Geosciences Summer Research Grant.  Award amount - $750.  Status - completed.

2002

Pigati, J.S.  Determination of the production rate of in-situ cosmogenic ¹⁴C in olivine and feldspar from basalt flows in the Zuni-Bandera volcanic field, New Mexico.  Geological Society of America Summer Research Grant.  Award amount - $2,250.  Status - completed.

2001

Pigati, J.S.  Continued investigation of ground-water discharge deposits in the San Pedro Valley, Arizona.  University of Arizona Department of Geosciences Summer Research Grant.  Award amount - $1,000.  Status - completed.

2001

Pigati, J.S.  Evaluation of the ¹⁴C inventory of small, living land snails from southern Nevada. Geological Society of America Summer Research Grant – Outstanding Mention.  Award amount - $3,000.  Status - completed.

2000

Pigati, J.S.  Preliminary investigation of the age of ground-water discharge deposits at the Murray Springs Paleoindian Site, San Pedro Valley, Arizona.  University of Arizona Department of Geosciences Summer Research Grant.  Award amount - $3,000.  Status - completed.

Click here for publications

Reviewed manuscripts for American Antiquity, Catena, Current Research in the Pleistocene, Earth Science Reviews, Geological Society of America Special Papers, Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, Journal of Geology, Journal of Quaternary Science, Palaios, Radiocarbon, Quaternary Geochronology, and Quaternary Research.

Students

Jeff Honke, Denver University, 2011-present.

Cristina Lugo, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, 2011.

2011-2012

Pigati, J.S., The Snowmastodon Project, Invited talks at the Colorado Scientific Society, Colorado Water Conservation Board, and Northern Colorado Water Conservancy Group.

2011

Pigati, J.S., and others, 2011, A summary of the Snowmastodon Site including Question and Answer Series, Denver Museum of Nature and Science “Ice Age Spectacular”, Denver CO.

2007

Co-chair, Topical session titled "Quaternary deposits in arid lands: rates and processes", Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Denver CO.

2003

Haynes, C.V., Jr., Quade, J., Pigati, J.S., Paleo- and extant wetlands in the San Pedro Valley, southern Arizona.  Field trip, 3rd International Limnogeology Congress.

2002

Co-chair, Topical session titled "Quaternary Geology/Geomorphology", Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Denver CO.

2009-

Research geologist.  U.S. Geological Survey.

2007-2008

Post-doctoral research scientist.  U.S. Geological Survey.

2005-2006

Post-doctoral research scientist.  Desert Laboratory, University of Arizona.

2001-2004

Graduate Research Assistant.  Arizona-NSF AMS facility, University of Arizona.

1999-2001

Graduate Teaching Assistant.  Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona.

1995-1999

Geologist.  Goodwin & Broms Environmental Engineering, Inc., Springfield, Illinois.

1992-1994

Graduate Teaching Assistant.  Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona.

1992

Geologist. U.S. Geological Survey- Water Resources Division, Indianapolis, Indiana.

2004

Lecturer, Workshop on the Theory and Methods of Quaternary Geochronology, University of California at Riverside

2002-2004

Guest teacher, University of Arizona, Quaternary Geochronology (cosmogenic isotopes)

1999-2001

Physical Geology laboratory instructor

1994

Instructor, Earth Science Summer Camp, Austin, TX (middle school)

1992-1994

Physical Geology laboratory instructor

2011

“Best Paper” - Colorado Scientific Society

2009

“Best Paper” – Geological Society of Washington, Bradley Prize

2000-2001

WAIMME Fellowship

1994

University of Arizona Foundation’s Meritorious Teaching Performance Award

1993

U.S. Geological Survey’s Special Act of Service Award

1992

SIU-C Department of Geology Outstanding Undergraduate Student

1991

Yellowstone-Bighorn Research Association Outstanding Performance Award

2000-

Geological Society of America

2000-

American Quaternary Association

2000-

American Geophysical Union