Mark A Helper
Faculty Associate, Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences
Phone: +1 512 471 1009
Email: helper@jsg.utexas.edu
CV (pdf)
Dr. Helper received a Ph.D. in geology from the University of Texas at Austin and a B.S. in geology from the University of Illinois. As a former Distinguished Senior Lecturer, now retired, his main duties were teaching-related. He taught undergraduate courses in Field Geology, GIS and GPS Applications in the Earth Sciences, and Gems and Gem Minerals, and lectured and led field trips for other undergraduate and graduate classes. Since Emeritus status and retirement from teaching in 2022, he remains active as a Faculty Associate, doing GIS-focused work with the Jackson School Bureau of Economic Geology STATEMAP program and participating in collaborative field work with colleagues there and elsewhere. With NASA colleagues, he has been active in teaching astronauts field geology since 2009, and continues to participate in efforted centered on a return to human exploration of the moon.
Ph.D. in Geology, University of Texas at Austin, 1985
B.S. in Geology, University of Illinois, 1978
Dr. Helper is a field geologist, a generalist whose interests span igneous and metamorphic petrology, structural geology, tectonics, mineralogy and planetary field geology. His current research explores geochemical and isotopic similarities of Proterozoic and Archean crust in East Antarctica and the southwestern U.S., the Precambrian geology of Texas, the origin of epidote blueschists in the Klamath Mountains of northern California and the rheology and tectonic significance of melange and blueschist in the SW Chugach Mountains, Alaska. Senior honors theses under his supervision have examined the mineralogy of Texas topaz, hydration and textural patterns in Balmorhea blue agate, and the distribution and origin of joints in the Hueco Tanks syenite.
Working with NASA colleagues, he is also involved in analog planetary field research that examines the utility and efficacy of robotically gathering field data, both as a prelude to and follow-on to human geologic field work on the Moon and Mars. As co-chair of FEAT (Field Exploration and Analysis Team), he helped develop a new curriculum for the geological field training of astronauts and currently co-leads NASA's astronaut field geology training exercises. He also teaches field mapping techniques to NASA engineers and scientists who are developing capabilities for exploring the surface of asteroids, the Moon and Mars.
Panelist, Grant Review Panel, NASA (2019)
Co-lead, Lunar Exploration Analysis Group, /Geologic Astronaut Training Special Action Team workshop, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (2016)
Classroom Instructor, Geological Training for Astronaut Candidate Classes, NASA Johnson Space Center (2013 - Present)
Panelist, NMAMA Grant Review Panel, NASA (2013)
Panelist, NSF Grant Review Panel, National Science Foundation (2012 - Present)
Co-leader/Field Instructor, Astronaut training in field Geology, New Mexico and Arizona, NASA, Johnson Space Center (2010 - Present)
Panelist, NSF Grant Review Panel, National Science Foundation (2010 - Present)
Instructor, Astronaut and NASA personnel Geologic Field Training, Los Alamos, NM, NASA, Johnson Space Center (2009 - 2017)
Invited Participant, Texas Consortium for Higher Education, Center for Lunar Science and Exploration, Lunar and Planetary Institute, University Space Research Association (2009 - 2012)
Theme Session Co-chair, Lunar Field Exploration Equipment and Sample Documentation, American Association of Professional Geologists (2009)
Panelist, NMAMA Grant Review Panel, NASA (2008)
Science staff, Operational Reconnaissance Testing of K-10 rovers and geological EVA planning, NASA Ames Research Center (2008 - 2010)
Invited Participant, Workshop on Astronaut Geologic Training Curriculum Development, NASA, Johnson Space Center (2008 - 2009)
Invited Participant, Workshop on Apollo astronaut geological training, NASA, Johnson Space Center (2008)
Field Geology Instructor, Astronaut and NASA personnel Geologic Field Training, Gila Bend, AZ, NASA, Johnson Space Center (2008)
Co-convener/Session Co-chair, The role of field geology and geophysics in the return to the Moon, Geological Society of America Annual Meeting (2008)
Co-organizer/Co-leader, Precambrian of the Llano Uplift Field Trip, Geological Society of America Annual Meeting (2008)
Invited Participant, Lunar Surface Site EVA Planning Workshop, NASA (2008)
Session convener/Co-chair, Lunar Exploration Advisory Group (LEAG) Biannual Meeting, NASA LEAG (2007)
Co-organizer and Field Instructor, Field Conference on Best Practices for Geologica Field Work, NASA Advisory Council, Arizona State University (2007)
Co-chair, Lunar Field Exploration and Analysis Team (FEAT), FEAT (2006 - 2012)
Committee Member, Human Exploration of Mars Science Advisory Group (HEM-SAG), NASA HEM SAG (2006 - 2007)
Reviewer/Question writer, Geology Graduate Record Exam, Educational Testing Service (2001 - 2002)
Co-organizer/Co-leader, Field Trip: Geology and historical mining, Llano Uplift Region, central Texas, Austin Geological Society (2000)
Co-convener/Session Co-chair, Symposium on Mesozoic Geology of the Klamath Mountains, Geological Society of America Cordilleran Section Meeting (1992)
Session Chairman, Klamath Mountain Geology, Geological Society of America Cordilleran Section Meeting (1986)
Session Chairman, Klamath Mountain Geology, Geological Society of America Annual Meeting (1986)
Reviewer, GSA Bulletin, American Mineralogist, Journal of Geology, Journal of Metamorphic Geology, Applied Spectroscopy, Tectonics, Advances in Space Research, Geosphere, Geological Society of America, Mineralogical Society of America, American Geophysical Union (1986 - Present)
Distinguished Senior Lecturer, 2007, Department of Geological Sciences, UTA
Senior Lecture, 2000-2006, Department of Geological Sciences, UTA
Lecturer, 1985-2000, Department of Geological Sciences, UTA
Guinn, N.., Gardner, J.. & Helper, M.. (2022). Dynamic pressure evolution within the 18 May 1980 Mount St. Helens pyroclastic density current: evidence from tree damage. Bulletin of Volcanology, 84(38), 12 pages. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00445-022-01548-6. doi:.
Rendell, B.., Wilson, K.., Kerans, C.., Helper, M.. & Mohrig, D.. (2022). Coriolis effect recorded in Late Pleistocene Stage 5e Bahamian aeolianites. Geology, 50(5), 567571. doi:https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/geology/article/50/5/567/611745/Coriolis-effect-recorded-in-Late-Pleistocene.
Hunt, B.., Johnson, B.. & Helper, M.. (2021). Geologic map of the Grit quadrangle, Mason County, Texas. map scale 1:24,000, 2 sheets. (, Vol. Open-File Map No. 25). Austin: Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas at Austin. (View)
Tewksbury?Christle, C.., Behr, W.. & Helper, M.. (2021). Tracking deep sediment underplating in a fossil subduction margin: Implications for interface rheology and mass and volatile recycling. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 22(e2020GC009463). doi:.
Clow, T., Behr, W.. & Helper, M.. (2019). Pleistocene to recent geomorphic and incision history of the northern Rio Grande river gorge, New Mexico: constraints from field mapping and cosmogenic 3He surface exposure dating. Geosphere, 15(3), 820-838. doi:.
Hildebrand, E.., Grillo, K.., Sawchuck, E.., Pfeiffer, S.., Conyers, L.., Goldstein, S.., Hill, A.., Janzen, A.., Klehm, C.., Helper, M.., Purity, K.., Ndiema, E.., Ngugi, C.., Shea, J.. & Wang, H.. (2018). A monumental cemetery built by eastern Africas first herders near Lake Turkana, Kenya. Publications of the National Academy of Science, 115, 8942-8947. doi:.
Gardner, J.., Nazworth, C.., Helper, M.. & Andrews, B.. (2018). Inferring the nature of pyroclastic density currents from tree damage: The 18 May 1980 blast surge of Mount Saint Helens. Geology, 46, 795-798. doi:.
G. Moses and Carolyn G. Knebel Distinguished Teaching Award - Department of Geological Sciences (2020 - 2021)
G. Moses and Carolyn G. Knebel Distinguished Teaching Award - Jackson School of Geosciences (2017 - 2018)
Jackson School Outstanding Educator Award - Jackson School of Geosciences (2011)
G. Moses and Carolyn G. Knebel Distinguished Teaching Award - Jackson School of Geosciences (2011 - 2012)
G. Moses and Carolyn G. Knebel Distinguished Teaching Award - Jackson School of Geosciences (2007 - 2008)
G. Moses and Carolyn G. Knebel Distinguished Teaching Award - Jackson School of Geosciences (2004 - 2005)
Distinction in Teaching Award - Phi Beta Kappa Alpha of Texas (UT Chapter) (2004)
Faculty Excellence Award - Houston Oil & Minerals Corp. (2002 - 2003)
Teaching Excellence Award - College of Natural Sciences (2001 - 2002)
Research Grant Award - Extension to Geologic Studies in the Shackleton Range, Coats Land, and Dronning Maud Land, E. Antarctica: A North American Connection (with I. Dalziel, W. Gose) - National Science Foundation (1996 - 1997)
Honorary Scholarship Award - American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (1996)
Antarctic Service Medal - US Department of Defense (1995)
G. Moses and Carolyn G. Knebel Distinguished Teaching Award - Department of Geological Sciences (1994 - 1995)
Research Grant Award - Geologic Studies in the Shackleton Range, Coats Land and Dronning Maud Land, E. Antarctica: A North American Connection (with I. Dalziel, W. Gose, N. Walker) - National Science Foundation (1992 - 1997)
Research Grant Award - Rb-Sr,U-Pb, K-Ar Geochronologic study of the Condrey Mountain Schist, Klamath Mountains, N. California and SW Oregon. - National Science Foundation (1987 - 1989)
Shell Graduate Student Fellowship - Shell Oil Company (1983 - 1984)
ARCO Graduate Student Fellowship - Atlantic Richfield Corporation (1982 - 1983)
Field Research Grants - Geology Foundation, Univ. of Texas at Austin (1981 - 1983)
Penrose Research Grant - Geological Society of America - 1981)
Astronauts, Robots and Rocks: Preparing for Geologic Planetary Exploration, UT College of Natural Science Environmental Science Institute, Austin, TX (2011)
GIS Analysis of Antarctica Beneath the Ice and Effects of Ice Removal and Isostatic Rebound, Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Geoscience Education Division, Minneapolis, MN (2011)
Spatial Analysis - An Antarctic Example, National Science Foundation Cutting Edge Workshop Using GIS and Remote Sensing to Teach Geosciences in the 21st Century, Bozeman, MT (2010)
Geologic Mapping in the 21st Century, Austin Geological Society, Austin, TX (2005)
Geological Exploration of the American West, 1868-1880: The Great Western Surveys, Freshman Seminar, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX (2004)
Isotopic provinces and Mesoproterozoic tectonism in the Shackleton Range, Antarctica: comparisons with Mojavia, Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Reno, NV (2000)
True Gems: Origins and Identification, Evironmental Science Instititute, College of Natural Sciences, U. Texas Austin, Austin, TX (2000)
Testing S.W.E.A.T: Were Antarctica and the SW US once contiguous?, Baylor University, Waco, TX (1999)
Tectonic significance of Early Cretaceous blueschists in the northern Klamath Mountains, California, Baylor University, Waco, TX (1992)
Age, origin and tectonic significance of greenschists and blueschists in the Condrey Mountain Window, Klamath Mts., N. California, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX (1992)
Deformational, metamorphic and isotopic age constraints on the origin of the Condrey Mountain Schist: An inlier of Franciscan in the Klamath Mountains?, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA (1989)