Jeremy N. Bassis

Jeremy N. Bassis is a Professor in the Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering (CLaSP) at the University of Michigan's College of Engineering. His research integrates geophysics, fracture mechanics, and climate science to investigate ice sheet dynamics, glacier calving processes, and sea level rise implications. He leads a multidisciplinary research group combining field observations, satellite remote sensing, and numerical modeling to address critical questions in cryospheric science.

Education:

• Ph.D., Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, California
• B.Sc. Physics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania

Bassis's research centers on the mechanics of iceberg calving—a process responsible for up to two-thirds of ice discharge into the ocean—which introduces rapid timescales into ice sheet response to climate change not captured by current models. His work spans fundamental glaciological processes, planetary ice shell dynamics, and societal impacts of sea level rise, with recent emphasis on community adaptation in coastal regions including Detroit. He employs field instrumentation (GPS, seismometers), satellite monitoring, and theoretical frameworks to model fracture propagation, ice-ocean interactions, and calving mechanisms.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals strong focus areas: marine ice cliff instability, fracture mechanics in ice sheets, calving parameterization, and societal adaptation to sea level rise. His work bridges theoretical glaciology with practical climate solutions, featuring high-impact studies in Science, Nature, and Nature Communications that advance understanding of ice sheet vulnerability.

Scientific Awards:

• Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) 2016
• Henry Russel Award 2015
• Career Award 2011

Professor Bassis actively mentors students in cryospheric research and has served as Associate Editor for the Journal of Geophysical Research – Earth Surfaces (2012-2015) and IPCC Cryosphere Contributing Author (2017-2018). His research is supported by major grants from NSF and NASA, focusing on ice sheet modeling, calving processes, and community resilience to sea level rise. He collaborates extensively with social scientists, engineers, and community organizations to translate glaciological research into actionable climate adaptation strategies.

His research group employs a systems-based approach to study ice sheet dynamics, utilizing advanced numerical models and field data to investigate fracture networks, ice-ocean interactions, and calving mechanics. Recent work emphasizes interdisciplinary connections between physical glaciology and societal impacts, particularly in urban coastal environments facing sea level rise threats.