Barry A. Walker, Jr., Ph.D. is an Adjunct Instructor in the Department of Geology at Portland State University, where he has been teaching since 2015. His courses include Introductory Geology, Structural Geology, Geology of the Oregon Country, Oceanography, Global Environmental Change, Volcanoes and Earthquakes, Geology for Engineers, and Field Methods in Geology. Dr. Walker’s research interests center on the origins of lavas and magmas, the construction of subsurface magma reservoirs, tectonic influences on volcanism, and the timescales associated with these geological processes. In addition to his teaching, he has served on thesis committees for several graduate students in PSU’s geology program.
Dr. Walker is deeply committed to making geology accessible and relevant to all. He believes that a fundamental understanding of the Earth’s systems—including its atmosphere, oceans, rocks, and soils—is vital for all individuals, not just aspiring geologists. His work advocates for a geologically informed public capable of understanding and responding to the planet’s life-sustaining features as well as its natural hazards.
Outside of academia, Dr. Walker enjoys spending time with his wife, Valerie, and their two children, Kalena and Lachlan. Together, they enjoy gardening, exploring the outdoors, and making music. An active musician, he plays pedal steel guitar, guitar, and sings with various musical projects, including Rose City Band, North Americans, Mouth Painter, and under his own name..