Donald Lewis Sparks

In 2021, the European Geosciences Union awarded Sparks the Philippe Duchaufour Medal for his influential research on soil chemistry and physical chemistry that helped develop the field of soil science. His work has transformed the understanding of kinetics of soil chemical processes, surface chemistry of soils and soil components, and the physical chemistry of soil potassium.

In 2019-2020, he served on the National Academies Committee on Catalyzing Opportunities for Research in the Earth Sciences (CORES), a study focused on developing research recommendations for the National Science Foundation for the decade 2020-2030.

Sparks was president of the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) in 2000, and the International Union of Soil Sciences from 2002-2006. For three years he chaired the U.S. National Committee for Soil Sciences, which advises the National Academy of Sciences.

Sparks received a B.S. in Agronomy in 1975 and an M.S. in Soil Science in 1976 from the University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, and a Ph.D. in Soil Science in 1979 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia.

Donald L. Sparks (born June 26, 1953) is an American soil scientist, currently Unidel S. Hallock duPont Chair of Soil and Environmental Chemistry, Francis Alison Professor, and Director, Delaware Environmental Institute, University of Delaware.