BLACKSBURG, Va., July 3, 2008 – A. Krishna Sinha of Blacksburg, professor of geosciences in the College of Science at Virginia Tech, was conferred the "professor emeritus" title by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors during the board's quarterly meeting on June 20.
The title of emeritus may be conferred on retired professors and associate professors, administrative officers, librarians, and exceptional staff members who have given exemplary service to the university and who are specially recommended to the board of visitors by Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board of visitors receive an emeritus certificate from the university.
A member of the Virginia Tech community since 1971, Sinha contributed to the teaching and research on the igneous rocks and tectonics of the Appalachians and the Coast Ranges of British Columbia and Alaska. He wrote approximately 100 publications during his career and directed numerous sponsored research projects. Most recently, he contributed to the invention and early development of the emerging field of geoinformatics and has served a key advisory role to the National Science Foundation in establishing a funding basis for this field.
A dedicated teacher, Sinha taught a wide range of courses in physical geology, geochemistry, geochronology, and petrogenesis at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.
Sinha received his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Patna Science College in India and a Ph.D. from the University of California at Santa Barbara.