He is a member of the United States National Academy of Sciences.
His primary field of expertise is the formation and plate tectonic setting of ophiolites and ultramafic rocks.
He is a retired professor of Geology from Stanford University and retired from the U.S.
Geological Survey.
He continues to conduct research and publish scientific books and articles.
See: http://pangea.stanford.edu/research/hp-uhp/bob/coleman.html for more information.