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 Berg received his doctorate in soil geomorphology from Illinois;
his master’s degree in geomorphology from Eastern Michigan
University, Ypsilanti; and his bachelor’s degree in physical
geography from Indiana State University, Terre Haute. A native
of Worcester, Mass., Berg originally moved to the Midwest to
pursue his education but has spent his career here. He began at
the ISGS in 1974 as a research assistant in the stratigraphy
section while pursuing his Ph.D. He has headed various survey
sections over his 40-year career and became chief scientist in
2009. He has led numerous multidisciplinary groups at the ISGS
and made significant contributions to the discipline through his
leadership in the Geological Society of America.
“We are delighted that Dr. Berg has accepted the appointment as
permanent director of ISGS,” said Brian D. Anderson, Ph.D.,
interim executive director of the Prairie Research Institute.
“His experience with federal, state, and local officials to
garner support for a state and national 3-D geological mapping
program also brought attention to Illinois’ mineral and energy
resource, flooding, sinkhole, earthquake, and climate change
issues with this crucial audience,” said Anderson. “I have
confidence he will continue to be strategic and forward thinking
as he leads the ISGS into an exciting future.”
“I am gratified to have the opportunity to continue my work and
lead this trusted and innovative organization that has served
the people of Illinois for over 100 years,” said Berg. “I
believe interdisciplinary research and service among the five
surveys of the Institute is key to finding solutions to the
state’s natural and cultural resources issues now and in the
future as well as drawing upon expertise within the expansive
natural resource and engineering disciplines at the university,”
he added.
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Founded in 1905, the ISGS serves the needs of Illinois with earth
science information relevant to the state’s environmental quality,
economic vitality, and public safety. Some 200 scientists and
technical support staff conduct basic and applied research in
geology, compile geologic maps, and gather and manage the state’s
geological data to provide information to industry, governmental
agencies and the public about the geology and mineral resources of
Illinois. The ISGS is part of the Prairie Research Institute at the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. For more information,
please visit
www.isgs.illinois.edu.
The Prairie Research Institute is the home of the State Scientific
Surveys. It is the applied research arm of the state of Illinois,
building on the surveys’ 160-year reputation for basic and applied
research and service. The Institute works to steward Illinois’
natural and cultural resources by applying cutting-edge science,
collecting long-term data, and providing expertise to help decision
makers solve critical resource issues to benefit Illinois’ economy,
environment, and people. The five surveys are the Illinois Natural
History Survey, Illinois State Archaeological Survey, Illinois State
Geological Survey, Illinois State Water Survey, and Illinois
Sustainable Technology Center. For more information, please visit
www.prairie.illinois.edu.
[Angela M. Wisehart, Prairie Research
Institute]
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