Scott Hippensteel, Ph.D.

Scott Hippensteel, Ph.D. joined UNC Charlotte in 2000 after completing an MS and Ph.D. in Geology at the University of Delaware. For his first decade in North Carolina his research centered on using fossils to solve environmental problems. The published results of this research included journal articles and book chapters concerning paleotempestology (the study of ancient storms), bioturbation (the mixing of sediments by critters), military geoarchaeology (of the barrier islands surrounding Charleston, SC) and Earth Sciences pedagogy.
In 2004 he joined a research team in Charleston studying the Confederate submarine, H.L. Hunley. His research pertaining to the submarine involves using microfossils to interpret the sediment infilling history of the vessel and provide insights into the reasons for the exceptional preservation of the crew.