Keynote Speaker
Gale Blackmer, Ph.D.
Gale Blackmer is the State Geologist of Pennsylvania and Director of the Bureau of Geological Survey in the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. She earned a BA in geology from the University of Pennsylvania and M.S. and Ph.D. in geology from Penn State.
Dr. Blackmer currently serves as Chair of the Pennsylvania State Geospatial Coordinating Board. Her career has spanned teaching, groundwater and geotechnical work, geologic mapping, and now science administration. Gale loves to share her enthusiasm for Pennsylvania's fascinating geology and the work of the State Geological Survey with anyone who will listen.
In her keynote presentation, Dr. Blackmer will discuss what geoscientists do and how the geosciences are integral to facing 21st century challenges.