Dawn Y. Sumner

Dawn Y. Sumner is a Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of California, Davis. Her research focuses on geobiology, paleobiology, and planetary science, particularly reconstructing ancient environments on Earth and Mars. She is a key member of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory team, contributing to the Curiosity rover’s exploration of Gale Crater on Mars. Sumner’s work integrates field studies, lab analyses, and interdisciplinary approaches to understand microbial life’s role in shaping Earth’s history and potential habitability on other planets.

Education: Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1995).

Research interests include microbialite formation, Antarctic lake ecosystems, and the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis. She investigates modern microbial communities in ice-covered lakes (e.g., Lake Vanda) to understand ancient environments and their biosignatures.

Her scientific awards include the California Academy of Sciences Academy Fellow (2020) and Geological Society of America Fellow (2014). Sumner emphasizes inclusive education and supports student success in STEM through feminist research practices.

Labs/Teams: W.M. Keck Center for Active Visualization in the Earth Sciences (KeckCAVES), Antarctic Lake Research Group.