Gregory Fournier

Gregory Fournier is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (EAPS) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he leads the Fournier Lab and participates in the MIT-WHOI Joint Program. His work bridges genomic analysis with Earth history to reconstruct planetary habitability through deep time.

Education

• Ph.D. in Genetics and Genomics, University of Connecticut (2009)
• A.B. in Genetics, Dartmouth College (2001)

Dr. Fournier's research integrates microbial genomics, phylogenetics, and geochemistry to investigate life-environment co-evolution. His lab specializes in reconstructing evolutionary histories of microbial metabolisms (photosynthesis, carbon fixation, sulfur cycling) using horizontal gene transfer analysis and molecular clocks. By reconciling genomic records with geological evidence, they test hypotheses about ancient Earth conditions and ecosystem development, contributing to astrobiology and the search for extraterrestrial life.

Recent publications reveal critical transitions in Earth's history through phylogenomic analysis of carbon fixation pathways and oxygenic photosynthesis origins. His work consistently demonstrates how horizontal gene transfer shapes microbial diversity and drives biogeochemical cycles, with implications for understanding planetary habitability.

Scientific Awards

• Fellow, Signatures of Life in the Universe Initiative, RSCA/Heising-Simons Foundation (2023)
• MIT John W. Jarve Seed Fund Award for Science Innovation (2022)
• Fellow, Signatures of Life in the Universe Initiative, RSCA/Heising-Simons Foundation (2021)
• Simons Foundation: Life Sciences-Simons Collaboration on the Origins of Life Investigator Award (2016)

Dr. Fournier mentors PhD candidates Madeline Paoletti (rTCA carbon fixation), Fatima Husain (organic geochemistry), and Zicong Zhang (enzyme evolution), alongside postdoctoral researcher Erik Tamre. His lab has trained numerous graduate students now in academic and research careers. Funding comes from the Simons Foundation, Heising-Simons Foundation, NASA Astrobiology Institute, and MIT internal grants.

The Fournier Lab operates within MIT's Green Building (54-1016), collaborating with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and integrating computational biology with geological fieldwork. The team combines phylogenomic modeling, molecular dating techniques, and geochemical analysis to decode Earth's earliest biological records.