Remembering Risa Madoff
Editor’s note: The following tribute was submitted by Jaakko Putkonen, chair and professor of geology at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, a former faculty advisor to Risa Madoff during her time at UND. It is published with the permission of Madoff’s family.
Risa Madoff, a geologist, educator and researcher, passed away in late 2024 following a serious illness.
Madoff earned her bachelor’s degree in geography and her master’s in geology from New Mexico State University. She later pursued doctoral studies in the Department of Geology & Geological Engineering at UND and earned her Ph.D. in Geology in 2015.
Her doctoral research culminated in the dissertation titled, “Climate Driven Hillslope Degradation of Mono Basin Moraine, Eastern Sierra Nevada, California, USA,” which investigated the relationships between climate variability, sediment transport and long-term landform evolution.
From 2009 to 2015, Madoff served as a teaching assistant in UND’s Department of Geology & Geological Engineering, where she supported instruction, laboratory courses and student learning. Following completion of her doctorate, she continued to serve the University in a variety of instructional and research-related roles. She taught numerous geology courses and was known by generations of students for her dedication to teaching, as well as her commitment to helping others understand Earth processes. Her service to the University extended through 2024 and included appointments as instructor, researcher and academic support professional.
Madoff’s research centered on geomorphology, sediment transport, hillslope processes, climate-driven landscape change and Quaternary geology. Much of her work focused on field sites in the eastern Sierra Nevada of California, where she investigated how climatic fluctuations influence erosion rates and landform degradation through time. Her publications contributed to a growing understanding of the interactions among climate, surface processes and landscape evolution.
In 2024, Madoff furthered the goals of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, contributing to science outreach and communication efforts.
Those who knew Madoff will remember her not only for her scientific accomplishments but also for her exceptional perseverance. She was widely known within the University of North Dakota geology community for her tenacity, determination and ability to confront challenges with unwavering resolve. Throughout her academic and professional life, she demonstrated remarkable grit in pursuing her goals and supporting the educational mission of the department. Students benefited from her knowledge, dedication and willingness to help others succeed.
Early in 2024, Madoff was diagnosed with a severe illness. Seeking to be closer to loved ones, she relocated to Charleston, S.C., where she spent her final months in the company of family. She died later that year.
Madoff’s contributions to geology, her dedication to teaching and her enduring resilience leave a lasting legacy. She will be remembered by her colleagues and students and all who worked alongside her.
