Dr. David Terrell

Office Location
A. F. Gray 200A

Biography
Dr. Terrell was born and raised in Mexico, where he obtained his BS in Physical Science (at the Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosi) and his MS in Geophysics (at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico/UNAM), later moving to England where he obtain his Ph. D. in Natural Philosophy (Physics with emphasis on Geochemistry/Geochronology) at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Before coming to Warner Pacific University, Dr. Terrell worked as a scientific researcher at the UNAM (Geophysics Institute), and taught at the School of Engineering of the UNAM. Dr. Terrell also worked as a scientist at the Mexican Petroleum Institute, managing the Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Exploration Division. Since coming to Warner Pacific University in 1998, Dr. Terrell has been involved in teaching and curricular development within the College of Arts and Science. Even though his main focus has been on teaching physical sciences (Chemistry and Physics at different levels), he has also participated in the development of courses related to the environment such as “PHS 105 Environmental Science/with laboratory; PHS 100 Environmental Studies for the Adult Degree Program, and HUM 212 “Earthkeeping”, and a upper division course for the Urban Studies program “URB/PHS 450 Urban Resources and Sustainability”. His participation in professional academic organizations such as the America Chemical Society (for which he is a past chair of the Portland section); the National Science Teacher Association; The American Geophysical Union; The Pacific Northwest Association for College Physics; and others, helps him to help our students to be good citizens and effective leaders in their discipline.

Education 
University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, Newcastle u/Tyne, GB Ph. D., 1982
(Natural Philosophy, Physics, Analytical Chemistry, Mass Spectrometry, and Geochronology)
Thesis: Nobel Gas Patterns in Terrestrial Igneous Rocks, 214pp

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, MexicoM. Sc., 1976 (Geophysics)
Thesis: Instrumental Analysis by Neutron Activation Applied to Rocks and Minerals.

Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, Mexico B. Sc., 1973 (Physical Science with Licensure in Physics)
Thesis: Viscous Drag of the Mantle on the Lithosphere

Areas of Teaching 
General Physics
General Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Environmental Science
Physical Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry
Statistics
Electronics with coding

Areas of Expertise / Research Interests
Natural Philosophy
Physical Chemistry
Geochronology
Neutron Activation Analysis
Robotics

Peer-Reviewed Published Articles (* denotes chapter in a book)Peer-Reviewed Published Articles: (* denotes chapter in a book)
24. Grajales-N, J.M., D.J. Terrell, y P.E. Damon, 1992. Evidencias de la Prolongación del Arco Magmático Cordillerano del Triásico Tardío-Jurásico en Chihuahua, Durango y Coahuila. Bol. Asoc. Mex. Geól. Petrol.,42(2): 1-18.

23. Terrell, D.J. y M. Escudero-Badillo. 1992. La termocronometría 40Ar/39Ar y su aplicación en estudios de Cuencas Sedimentarias. Rev. Inst. Mex. Petróleo, 24(2): 16-24.

*22. Kratzeisen, M.J., M.M. Frank, J.F.W. Negendank, H. Böhnel and D.J. Terrell, 1991. The continental Margin of southern Mexico Tectonic evolution during the Tertiary. in: Zentralblatt für Geologie und Paläontology Part I, No.6, Schweizerbartische, Stuttgart. 452 pp.

21. Arizabalo, R.D. y D.J. Terrell. 1991. Aplicación de los isótopos estables del hidrógeno y carbono en la exploración petrolera. Rev. Inst. Mex. Petról., 23(4): 7-15.

20. Terrell, D.J. y E. Rosales-Contreras. 1991. Biomarcadores e Isótopos en la identificación de hidrocarburos. Bol. Asoc. Mex. Geól. Petrol., 41(2): 33-46.

*19. Storey, M., G. Rogers, A. D. Saunders & D. J. Terrell, 1989. San Quintin volcanic field, Baja California, Mexico: ‘within-plate’ magmatism following ridge subduction. TERRA Nova. Vol. 1, 195-202.

*18. Saunders, A. D., G. Rogers, G. F. Marriner, D. J. Terrell & S. P. Verma, 1987. in S. D. Weaver and R. W. Johnson (Eds) Tectonic Controls on Magma Chemistry. Elsevier Pu. Co.

17. Saunders, A.D., G. Rogers, G.F. Marriner, D. J. Terrell & S. P. Verma, 1987. Geochemistry of Cenozoic Volcanic Rocks, Baja California, Mexico: Implications for the petrogenesis of post-subduction magmas. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research. Vol. 32, 223-245.

16. Verma, S. P., M. López-M & D. J. Terrell, 1985. Geochemistry of tertiary igneous rocks from Arandas-Atotonilco, Area Northeast Jalisco, México. Geofísica Internacional. Vol. 24, 31-45.

15. Rogers, G., A. D. Saunders, D. J. Terrell, S. P. Verma & G. F. Marriner, 1985. Geochemistry of Holocene, post- subduction Volcanism in Baja California Norte, Mexico, Nature. Vol. 315, 389-392. 14.

14. Mitchell, J. G. & D. J. Terrell, 1984. Noble Gas solubility in super critical water: Implications for inert gas studies and geochronology. Geofísica Internacional. Vol. 23, pp.

*13. Mitchell, J. G. & D. J. Terrell, 1984. Downhole varation of potassium, inert-gas abundance, apparent K-Ar age, in basalts from Hole 504B, Costa Rica Rift. Initial Reports of the Deep Sea Drilling Project. Vol. 83, Chap 14, Washington (U.S. Government Printing Office), 305-312.

12. Mitchell, J. G. & D. J. Terrell, 1983. Inert-gas abundances in basalts of the Lesser Antilles Island Arcs: Possible implications for their volcanic evolution. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors. Vol. 31, 161-170.

*11. Terrell D. J. & J. G. Mitchell, 1983. Inert-gas contents of altered samples from deep sea drilling proyect Holes 501, 504B and 505B, Costa Rica Rift. in Cann, Reports of the Deep Sea Drilling Project. Vol. 59, Chap 39. Washington (U.S. Government. Printing office), 651-655.

10. Terrell, D. J., S. Pal, M. López-M & J. Pérez-R, 1979. Rare-earth elements in basalt samples, Gulf of California. Chemical Geology. Vol. 26, 267-275.

9. Terrell, D. J. & S. Pal, 1979. A new determination of the half life of Dy-165. Geofísica Internacional. Vol. 18, 211-217.

8. Pérez-R, J., S. Pal, D. J. Terrell, J. Urrutia-F. & M. López-M., 1979. Preliminary report on the analysis of some “in-house” geochemical reference samples from Mexico. Geofísica Internacional. Vol. 18, 197-209.

7. Terrell, D. J., S. Pal & M. López-M., 1978. Geochemistry of some metamorphic and sedimentary rocks from the mineral district of Zacatecas, Zac., México. Geofísica Internacional. Vol. 17, 151-166.

6. Terrell, D.J. & S. Pal, 1978. Trace element geochemistry of a box core from San Pedro Martir Basin NE Pacific. Geofísica Internacional. Vol. 54-70.

5. Pal, S. M. López-M. J. Pérez-R & D. J. Terrell, 1978. Magma Characterization in the Mexican Volcanic Belt (Mexico), Vulletin Volcacologique. Vol. 41, 379-389.

4. Pal, S. & D. J. Terrell, 1978. Instrumental Neutron Activation of Twentynine International Geochemical Reference Samples. Geostandards Newsletters. Vol. 2, 187-197.

3. López-M, M., J. Pérez R., J. Urrutia-F., S. Pal & D. J. Terrell, 1978. Geochemistry and Petrology of some volcanic rocks dredged from the Gulf of California. Geochemical Journal. Vol. 12, 127-132.

2. Pal S., M. García R. & D. J. Terrell, 1976. Radioactivity and sources in the Central Depression of Chiapas, State Mexico. Geofísica Internacional. Vol. 16, 185-195.

1. Pal. S., D.J. Terrell & E. Herrero B., 1974. Radiometric determination of Uranium. Thorium and Potassium in some rocks of the Guanajuato Mineral District, México. Geofísica Internacional. Vol. 14, 329-335

Presentations
“Chemistry in your life, Health, and Future” Science Café. Warner Pacific College. Nov. 10, 2011. Portland OR.

“Physics in the Exploration of Minerals and Oil” Pacific Northwest Association for College Physics. Fortieth Conference, March 28, 2003. Seattle WA.

“Reality, Reason and Imagination” Science Integration Institute, Portland OR, October 28, 2005

Lectures given by invitation in Mexico:

Instituto de Geología, UNAM. Ciclo de Conferencias “Seminario de Geología” – Bases y Aplicaciones del Método K-Ar.- -29-V-92

Academia de la Investigación Científica. Ciclo de conferencias “III Semana de la Investigación Científica” -Origen y Evolución de la Tierra- Colegio de Bachilleres (Plantel 1 “El Rosario”; Plantel 7, “Iztapalapa”). 7-IV-92; 9-IV-92.

Unión Geofísica Mexicana-Comisión Federal de Electricidad: “La Química en la Exploración”. Ciclo de Conferencias – LA EXPLORACION DE RECURSOS NATURALES EN MEXICO- Museo Tecnológico Regional. 11-III-1989.

Programa de Desarrollo Profesional México-Centro América. “Conceptos Basicos de Exploración y Explotación de Hidrocarburos”. Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo: 17 de octubre-16 de diciembre 1988.

Unión Geofísica Mexicana-Comisión Federal de Electricidad: “La Composición y Edad de la Tierra”. Ciclo de Conferencias -NUESTRO HOGAR EN EL ESPACIO- Museo Tecnológico Regional. 27-VII-1985.

Facultad de Ciencias de la Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí: “Gases nobles en el etudio de la formación y evolución de la Tierra”. XXX Aniversario de la fundación de la Escuela de Física. San Luis Potosí, 5-III-1986.

Sociedad Geológica Mexicana: “Estudio de generación magmatica basado en elementos traza y radioisótopos”. Villahermosa, Tab. 24-X-1985.

Sociedad Geologica Mexicana: “Elementos Traza e Isótopos en la interpretación tectónica: Baja California y Archipielago Revillagigedo”. Escuela Superior de Ingeniería y Arquitectura, I.P.N. 11-VII-1985.

Fellowships and Awards
2025 INAGEQ recognition at the XXXV Annual Conference (10/8/2025) for being founding member

Chair of the Portland section. American Chemical Society, 2012.

2004 Summer Professional Development internship at Washington State University’s Nuclear Reactor, Pullman WA.

Professional Affiliations
American Chemical Society, member since 2004

National Science Teacher Association, member since 2002

Pacific Northwest Association for College Physics, member since 2000

American Geophysical Union, member since 1984

Mexican Geophysical Union, Life member

National Institute of Geochemistry, founder (1990) and life member

Mexican Mineralogical Society, 1987-1996

Community Engagement / Service
Founder of the STEAM Hub 4 CISS.

Former chair of the Portland Section of the ACS.

Former representative of 4-year colleges with no Physics major at the PNACP.

Former chair of the Earth Care and Concerns Committee of West Hills Friends.

Director at Large on the Board of Directors, Bridlemile Neighborhood Association

Favorite quote
“Perhaps the history of errors of mankind, all things considered, is more valuable and interesting than that of their discoveries. Truth is uniform and narrow… but error is endlessly diversified.” – Benjamin Franklin