Leho Ainsaar

Leho Ainsaar is a Professor of Geology at the University of Tartu, affiliated with the Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences within the Faculty of Science and Technology. He has been a faculty member since 2021, following roles as Research Professor (2020–2020) and Senior Research Fellow (2016–2020). His career spans over three decades, including administrative roles such as Director of the Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences (2008–2019) and Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology (2020–present).

Education: PhD in Geology (2001, University of Tartu), MSc in Geology (1992), and undergraduate degree in Geology (1986).

Research Interests: Ainsaar specializes in Carbonate sedimentology, Geochemistry, Stratigraphy, and Basin analysis, with a focus on Ordovician-Silurian paleoenvironments and climate dynamics. He uses stable isotope geochemistry and chemostratigraphy to study ancient oceans and faunal turnovers.

Publications Overview: His recent work (2019–2025) explores Ordovician-Silurian boundary events, Baltic Basin stratigraphy, and isotopic reconstructions of paleoclimates. Key themes include seawater composition evolution, brachiopod isotope trends, and global climate-ocean interactions.

Awards: 2001 Estonian governmental award for contributions to bio- and geosciences (as part of a research group).

Administration & Leadership: Served on university councils (2002–present), chaired the Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences (2007–2019), and is an editorial board member for the Estonian Journal of Earth Sciences.

Labs & Collaborations: Engaged in interdisciplinary projects on Baltic Basin geology, collaborating with institutions in Lithuania, Latvia, and Sweden. Active in international stratigraphic initiatives and fieldwork across Northern Europe.