James D. Walker

Dr. Walker joined KU's Department of Geology in 1985. His primary academic areas are structural geology, field geology, error analysis, tectonics and regional geology. His research interests are in integration of tectonics, geochronology, and GIS to better understand the geologic development of contractile and extensional systems. 

Dr. Walker's research focuses on: 1) how to locate geothermal resources using novel and innovative exploration techniques. 2) using the isotopes of strontium to explore past animal behavior, and 3) databases and data reporting standards for geochemical and rock age information to help integrate the reporting of information directly and seamlessly into the scientist’s workflow. A leading expert in geoscience databases, Dr. Walker and colleagues at the University of Kansas led the development of StraboSpot, a network of interconnected software applications that allows researchers to digitally collect, store and share both field and laboratory data in geologic sciences. He also built the query system for the North American Volcanic Rock (NAVDAT) database.

Learn more about Doug Walker on KU's Isotope Geochemistry Laboratory website.