Brenda Bowen is an interdisciplinary geoscientist that explores the links between sedimentology, geochemistry, and environmental change, particularly in extreme environments. Her recent work is focused on how surface process, groundwater flow and geochemical change impact landscape evolution in human-modified system. Her research team uses field observations, satellite and airborne remote sensing, and a wide range of lab-based analytical techniques (primarily geochemistry and microscopy) to characterize and interpret records of change. Her research is conducted in collaboration with social science, planetary science, microbiology, anthropology, communications, humanities, engineering, planning, land management, and the arts, partnering with academics, government agencies, industry, nonprofits, and communities. She is interested in finding new ways to bridge disciplines to promote new ways of thinking across space and time. She works to facilitate interdisciplinary sustainability research, practice, and academic programs that address critical issues related to understanding global change and creating sustainable solutions related to energy, resources, climate, and equity.

Dr. Bowen received a B.S. and M.S. in Earth Science from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Utah in 2005.  She was a faculty member in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at Purdue University before returning to the University of Utah as faculty member and administrator in 2012. She is now a Professor of Geology and Geophysics, Chair of the Atmospheric Sciences department, and Director of the Global Change and Sustainability Center at the University of Utah. She has ~70 publications and teaches about the oceans, geological field methods, sustainability, and global change. She serves nationally a board member of the National Academy of Science Board for Earth Science Resources and locally as board member of Friends of Great Salt Lake.