Dr. Giles Michael Marion is a geochemist whose achievements over four decades have made a significant impact on the field of science. Most notably, he has performed extensive research in the FrezChem geochemical model, which is an equilibrium chemical thermodynamic model for cold aqueous solutions. “Since its inception in the early 1990s, it has been extensively used to explore sub-zero temperature geochemical processes and/or limits for life in cold regions of Planet Earth and beyond,” he explains. In recognition of the groundbreaking contributions Dr. Marion has made, he has been the recipient of grants from prominent scientific groups. He earned a Titan Moon Research Mars grant and a planetary geochemistry grant from NASA, a soil chemistry grant from the National Science Foundation, and a tundra ecosystems grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Today, Dr. Marion is an associate research professor at the Desert Research Institute in Reno, Nev., where he has excelled since joining the staff in 2000. Previously, he held roles such as research physical scientist for the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory; adjunct professor and principal investigator at San Diego State University; forest soil scientist at Weyerhaeuser Co.; research associate at The University of Arizona; research assistant at the University of California at Berkeley; and research assistant at Syracuse University. He has also taken on career-related projects, including contributing to numerous scientific journals and publications, as well as serving as a program panel member for Arctic System Sciences for the National Science Foundation.

At the core of Dr. Marion’s success is his education. Before establishing himself professionally, he earned an Associate of Arts from Paul Smith’s College, a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from Syracuse University, and a Ph.D. from the University of California. To remain at the top of his field, he has held memberships with prominent industry organizations. Notably, he affiliates with the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Soil Science Society of America, the Geochemical Society, the Ecological Society of America, the American Geophysical Union, and Sigma Xi.

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