WKU Graduate Student Explores
Caves In Malaysia, Indonesia
October 24, 2003
Bowling Green, Ky. - A Western Kentucky University geoscience graduate student returned last week from a monthlong cave science expedition to Asia in support of a project by scientists from the California Institute of Technology.
Joel Despain of Three Rivers, Calif., spent most of the time in the jungles of Borneo (Malaysia) where the expedition, funded by a National Science Foundation grant to Cal Tech, collected geological samples from caves in Gunung Buda National Park.
The scientists will use these samples to develop a climatic record for southeast Asia over the last several thousand years.
Despain was asked to join the expedition and lead the scientists to caves in the area because of his extensive experience in exploring these cave systems over three previous expeditions. While there, the group also mapped 4.5 kilometers of previously unexplored caves.
"Although we live in a world that seems to have been thoroughly explored, it's great to know that there is still room for geographers to explore and find new things about the world," said Dr. Chris Groves, director of WKU's Hoffman Environmental Research Institute and Despain's graduate adviser. "I am also very pleased that WKU can attract such high-caliber students as Joel."
At the completion of the Borneo work, Despain led a smaller group of cavers to Kalimantan, Indonesia, at the request of the Nature Conservancy, where they evaluated caves and biological resources including large, relatively pristine forest areas. The Nature Conservancy is working to help the Indonesian government protect the sensitive resources.
Despain, who is employed by the National Park Service as the cave specialist for California's Sequoia National Park, has completed his graduate coursework and will defend his thesis research in spring 2004. He traveled to southern China in 2001 as part of the Hoffman Institute's China science program.
"The Geography and Geology Department is very committed to preparing students for success in a global society, and part of that success is extending Western's teaching, research and service reach to the furthest corners of the planet," said Dr. David Keeling, department head. "Joel Despain exemplifies the goals of the geoscience program to learn more about how the world works and to apply that global knowledge to local conditions here in south central Kentucky."
To learn more about the department's programs, contact Dr. Keeling at david.keeling@wku.edu or (270) 745-4555.
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