Afsoon Kazerouni’s passion for geology was ignited from a profound fascination with the earth’s dynamic processes and their long-term impact on our planet.
“My greatest joy in this field lies in unraveling stories about our planet’s past–stories that stretch back millions, even billions, of years–and applying that knowledge to address contemporary environmental challenges,” Kazerouni described.
She joined the Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences as a visiting assistant professor in August.
Earning her PhD from the Geology Institute at Aarhus Universitet in Denmark, Kazerouni has taught and conducted research at a variety of institutions and cities around the world, including Bemidji State University, the German University of Technology at Oman, and the GEUS National Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland. Additionally, she has worked as a Natural Scientist, geologist, and hydrologist for organizations such as KEPS and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet.
Kazerouni’s research on geochemistry, basin analysis, and diagenesis within sedimentary environments has been featured in peer-reviewed publications, books, and monographs such as Nova Science Publishers, Sedimentology, and Marine and Petroleum Geology.
As her teaching courses emphasize weather and climate, Kazerouni describes her teaching philosophy as centered on making earth and environmental sciences relevant to students. By connecting the earth, space, and environmental science with all aspects of life, she hopes to meet students where they are, empowering them to gain a more enlightened understanding of the natural world. Kazerouni recognizes the experiences and perspectives of every student is different, but that it does not permit them from being liberated from intuitive theories of nature, many of which are laden with misconceptions about their relationship with the environment.
Now, in her new role at CWRU, she is particularly excited about engaging with a diverse and motivated student body, as well as participating in multidisciplinary collaborations and sustainability initiatives.
“Curiosity is the main driving force behind all scientific discoveries,” Kazerouni asserted. “It’s vital to nurture that sense of wonder throughout one’s academic and professional journey.”
In her personal time, Kazerouni enjoys exploring natural landscapes, reading about history and various cultures, and working with her collection of crystals, minerals, and rocks. She aspires to continue traveling for both research and personal enrichment to deepen her understanding of the world and its diverse inhabitants.
Kazerouni was also recently featured in The Daily about new faculty members at the College of Arts and Sciences.