Karin Block

I am an Associate Professor of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the City College of New York (CCNY) and a member of the doctoral faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the CUNY Graduate Center. Additionally, I collaborate and I’m affiliated with the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University (LDEO) as an Adjunct Associate Research Scientist. I am a geochemist and petrologist who investigates the role and evolution of minerals in magmatic systems and in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. My current research focuses on how feedbacks between clay minerals and microbes affect carbon cycle dynamics in soils. I believe that research participation and mentoring at all levels is fundamental to education and the advancement of science. I am a dedicated educator who has trained students in a wide array of diverse topics ranging from mining biotechnology and virus-mineral interactions to pollution monitoring in estuarine environments. 

I was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. After high school I completed an A.B. in Literature, Science and Arts at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. After a short time doing corporate work, I returned to the academy and completed a Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Sciences from the CUNY Graduate Center and a postdoctoral research appointment at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University. I am a Sloan Scholar and an advocate on issues affecting women and underrepresented minorities in higher education. I currently serve on the Advisory Board to the Sloan Scholars Mentoring Network and I am a member of the CCNY College-Wide Working Group on Diversity and Inclusion.