Dr. Bruce Cornet’s lifelong passion for science began with an insatiable curiosity about the natural world. He pursued coursework in zoology and pre-medical studies at Fairleigh Dickinson University before earning his Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Connecticut. His academic journey continued with a Master of Science in Paleobotany and Botany from the same institution, where he began shaping his expertise in ancient plant life. Cornet later achieved his Ph.D. in Palynology and Geology from Pennsylvania State University, cementing his reputation as a scholar with deep insights into earth sciences.
Before transitioning into academia, Dr. Cornet built a solid foundation in applied science. He began his career in materials science testing, working with Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company (now part of Raytheon Technologies Corporation) and Carling Electric Company in Connecticut. These early roles sharpened his skills in technical analysis and provided practical experience in industrial applications of science.
Cornet later contributed to major energy and petroleum companies, including Gulf Research & Development Company, Exxon USA, Geminoil, Inc., and Superior Oil Company. In these roles, he specialized in complex geological cases such as the Late-Triassic–Early Jurassic period, Gulf Coast overpressured zones, and the Porcupine Basin.
Dr. Cornet went on to become a professor of physical and historical geology, teaching at multiple institutions including community colleges in West Texas, Dona Ana Branch Community College at New Mexico State University, and Raritan Valley Community College in New Jersey. His dedication to teaching extended beyond the classroom; in 1999, he began preparing students for medical school admissions as an MCAT instructor.
Between 1985 and 2008, Cornet balanced teaching with an impressive career in geological research and consulting. He worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Columbia University, a staff associate at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, and an independent geological consultant specializing in geological modeling, geophysical interpretation, and palynological sampling and analysis.
Beyond teaching and consulting, Cornet contributed significantly to public scientific knowledge. He curated and co-curated fossil and geological collections at prestigious institutions including the Virginia Museum of Natural History, the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences, and Rocky Hill Dinosaur Park. These efforts brought his expertise to broader audiences, helping preserve and interpret natural history for generations to come.
Cornet’s career has been marked by numerous achievements. Among his proudest were:
Winning the Context Award from the Journal of Research on Life in the Universe.
Serving on the largest National Science Foundation-funded continental coring project on the East Coast, which revealed the first detailed history of Earth’s climate before and during the early age of dinosaurs.
Discovering angiosperm fossils dating back at least 110 million years, pushing back the timeline of flowering plants and contributing valuable insights to evolutionary science.
These accomplishments highlight his ability to bridge industry, academia, and public engagement.
Since retiring in 2008, Cornet has devoted much of his energy to writing. His book, “Unconventional Aerial Phenomena: In the Hudson and Wallkill River Valley of New York”, explores unexplained aerial sightings and has attracted attention both in scientific and public circles. He also authored a personal memoir, blending his scientific expertise with his reflections on a life of discovery.
Dr. Cornet maintained active memberships with key professional organizations throughout his career, including:
American Association of Petroleum Geologists
American Association of Stratigraphic Palynologists
The Botanical Society of America
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society
These affiliations kept him engaged with ongoing developments in geology, paleobotany, and related fields.
Now recognized in Marquis Who’s Who, Dr. Bruce Cornet stands as an exemplar of intellectual curiosity, academic achievement, and interdisciplinary exploration. His career embodies a unique blend of industrial application, geological discovery, and public education.
At the heart of his success lies his insatiable curiosity—a drive that has guided his work across geology, paleontology, and even into the study of unconventional aerial phenomena. Cornet’s contributions continue to inspire students, researchers, and the broader public alike.