Dr. Sara Mana attended the University of Turin, where she earned her Bachelor's and Master’s of Science in Geological Sciences with a focus on Paleomagnetism. Sara then attended Rutgers University and earned her Ph.D. in 2013 in Geological Sciences with a focus on Geochronology and Geochemistry.
Sara is a field geologist who uses radiogenic isotopes and incompatible trace element geochemistry to understand the tectonic history of rift zones. She uses high-precision 40Ar/39Ar geochronology to address a variety of problems, such as magma evolution, basin development, rate of deposition, and human evolution. During her doctoral work, she applied these tools in Tanzania and the Turkana Basin to evaluate the East African Rift System, the largest active continental rift in the world. More recently, Sara has been involved in NSF NSF-funded Turkana Miocene Project, which aims to understand the complex relationships between tectonics, volcanism, erosion, climate, and the long-term ecosystem changes during the Miocene Epoch (23 to 5.3 million years ago). As part of this project, Sara uses Ar/Ar dating to determine the timing of sedimentation and rates of tectonic processes within the Turkana Basin.
Sara has also been leading the Field Geology course at Salem State University in Dillon, Montana, for the past decade. The core of this intensive course revolves around hands-on mapping and the construction of cross-sections. Students delve into the intricacies of well-exposed thrust structures that characterize southwest Montana, where foreland basin strata have been dramatically impacted by tectonic forces. This provides an unparalleled opportunity to observe and analyze real-world geological phenomena. This capstone experience provides students with an opportunity to apply the skills and concepts they have learned in the classroom in an area where tectonic deformation is well exposed.
During her Ph.D. studies at Rutgers, Sara Mana was fortunate to have the guidance and support of several key advisors. She extends her gratitude to Carl C. Swisher III, Michael Carr, and Brent Turrin, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to her academic journey. Their close collaboration and mentorship were instrumental in shaping her research and ultimately in the successful completion of her doctoral degree.
Even after her graduation, Sara has maintained a strong and active connection with Rutgers University. This ongoing relationship is significantly fostered through her collaborative work with Dr. Craig Feibel. Their professional partnership often involves working alongside other Rutgers alumni, further strengthening the ties within the university's academic community and demonstrating a commitment to continued intellectual exchange and research endeavors that extend beyond the traditional academic setting. This network of collaboration ensures that Sara's professional and academic life remains intertwined with the institution that laid the foundation for her scientific pursuits.