Newly Discovered Mineral Named for Virginia Tech Professor Nancy Ross

Nancy Ross, professor of mineralogy at Virginia Tech, has received a unique honor that few scientists in her field will ever receive. In October, a newly discovered mineral was named Nancyrossite, in recognition of Dr. Ross’s significant contributions to the geoscience field.

According to a study in American Mineralogist, less than 2,800 people have had a mineral named after them. Only 6 percent of these minerals were named after women.

Dr. Ross joined the Virginia Tech faculty in 2000. She has held several leadership roles throughout her long tenure, including head of the department of geosciences and associate dean for research, graduate studies, and outreach for the College of Science. Earlier in her career, she taught at University College London for over a decade. In her research, she aims to understand the link between atomistic factors and the stability of minerals.

Dr. Ross received her bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech, a master’s degree from the University of British Columbia in Canada, and a Ph.D. from Arizona State University.