Edited by Nao Aizawa ’25
Dr. Klemetti in front of Volcán Aucanquilcha in Chile in November 2000, his Ph.D. field area
Dr. Erik Klemetti is an associate professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Denison University. His work has taken him to Chile and New Zealand, where he spent about a month in each country studying volcanoes. Looking back at these experiences, Dr. Klemetti shares, “Both were amazing experiences. Even if I wasn’t working on Earth science questions, the immersion into a different country was enthralling.”
Dr. Klemetti also has a deep personal connection to international cultures. While he was not born there, he spent much of his childhood in his mother’s hometown of Pereira, Columbia. He explains, “I am one of the few Latinx science faculty here at Denison, and I’d like to think my background helps me connect with other students of color in the natural sciences.”
Plaza Bolivar in Pereira, Colombia, Dr. Klemetti’s mother’s hometown.
Nevado del Ruiz in Colombia, a volcano near Pereira.
When asked how his international experiences have shaped him personally and professionally, Dr. Klemetti reflects, “My Colombian heritage is part of who I am. My mother’s hometown is near one of the most active volcanoes in the country (Nevado del Ruiz), so that may have planted the seed that led me to become an Earth scientist who studies volcanoes.”
In his office at Olin Hall, Dr. Klemetti proudly displays a Colombian flag above his desk, a testament to his heritage and its influence on his life and career.
Dr. Klemetti’s office in Olin Hall with a Colombian flag prominently displayed over his desk