Peter Chirico

About Peter Chirico

Pete Chirico is the Associate Center Director of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Bascom Geoscience Center in Reston, VA. In over 25 years at USGS, he has focused his research on the geography and geomorphology of illicit small-scale mining of diamonds and mineral deposits in conflict zones and during complex emergencies. He has worked extensively with the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Agency for International Development, the United Nations, and the Kimberley Process to understand how diamonds and other natural resource exploitation contribute to funding conflicts. While his regional expertise is Sub-Saharan Africa, he has led or been a member of more than 30 field expeditions throughout Central America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Africa. He is author or co-author of over 50 peer reviewed scientific reports and journal articles in the fields of geography, geomorphology, remote sensing, and natural resources in conflict zones. Pete also serves as scientific and technical advisor to the Office of Threat Finance Countermeasures in the Department of State\'s Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs.

Experience

1. Associate Center Director

   Usgs, Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

   Jan 2017 — Present · Reston, VA

   Serves as deputy to the Science Center Director and assists with scientific planning and management of interdisciplinary team of over 100 geoscientitsts, technical specialists, laboratory staff, and support personnel.

Education

• University of Maryland Baltimore County

  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Geography and Environmental Systems

  2013 — 2023

• University of South Carolina-Columbia

  MA, Geography

  1993 — 1995

• University of Mary Washington

  BA, Geography

  1989 — 1993