Published: February 18, 2021
Dr. Dina Lopez, professor emerita of geological sciences, retired in December 2020 after nearly 26 years of service at Ohio University. Her contributions to the university and global community are many.
“Dina is a wonderful, supportive and energetic colleague who has worked tirelessly to improve many facets of our institution, our region and global communities,” notes Dr. Alycia Stigall, chair of the Geological Sciences Department.
The OHIO community is invited to send well wishes and memories via this form by March 15.
López is an internationally renowned researcher in environmental geochemistry and geochemistry of hydrothermal systems, and much of her research career has been spent focused on environmental issues (and related human health problems) in Latin America and Ohio. Much of her research has focused on understanding impacts and mitigation strategies of acid mine drainage in Southeastern Ohio. López has led her students and collaborators in projects ranging from baseline assessment of water quality and documenting pollution levels and sources, to implementing remediation strategies for improving water quality in regional watersheds.
“I have been blessed to have Dina as an adviser, mentor, colleague and friend throughout my life,” says Jen Bowman ’97, ’00, director of environmental programs at Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs and alumna with two geology degrees. “As a graduate student (2000), Dina taught me many invaluable skills I continue to use today. She shaped me into being an unbiased scientist, always questioning, and never shying away from fieldwork. I cherished the contemplations about data and various types of analysis until a breakthrough moment would arrive and we would have ‘beautiful data.’ I have had the pleasure to continue working with Dina throughout my career here at Ohio University, bringing the experience full circle. I will miss working with Dina and wish her the best in her retirement.”