Jerry X. Mitrovica

Jerry X. Mitrovica is the Frank B. Baird, Jr. Professor of Science at Harvard University, leading the Mitrovica Group. His research focuses on Earth’s geodynamic response to environmental changes, with a central theme of sea-level variability across timescales. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto, where he previously served as the J. Tuzo Wilson Professor in Physics and directed the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research’s Earth Systems Evolution Program.

His work integrates theoretical, numerical, and observational approaches to study ice sheet dynamics, mantle structure, and geodetic signals of climate change. Key research areas include modern ice sheet collapse impacts, glacial isostatic adjustment, and the interplay between Earth’s rotation and ice mass redistribution. Mitrovica’s group emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, with members from geophysics, mathematics, archaeology, and the humanities.

Notable awards include the Arthur L. Day Medal, W.S Jardetsky Medal, and A.E.H. Love Medal. His lab has pioneered methods to infer Antarctic mantle viscosity from GPS data and reconcile paleo-sea-level records with dynamic topography corrections. Current projects include probing mantle structure via sea-level measurements and investigating human migration routes via sea-level fingerprints.

Academic advising includes Natasha Valencic (Ph.D. student). The group actively advocates for diversity in academia and integrates activism into its mission, supporting graduate unions and marginalized communities in science.