Morgan Raven

Morgan Raven is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). She leads the NOISE Lab, focusing on biogeochemical processes that influence Earth's carbon and sulfur cycles, particularly in anoxic marine environments. Her research integrates field studies, laboratory experiments, and cutting-edge analytical tools to explore mechanisms of organic carbon preservation and their application to climate mitigation strategies like marine anoxic carbon storage (MACS).

Her work investigates how sulfur cycling interacts with organic matter breakdown in oxygen-deficient zones, with implications for both natural carbon sinks and engineered carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies. Key projects include experiments in the Gulf of Mexico’s Orca Basin—an isolated anoxic brine pool—to assess biomass storage potential and environmental impacts. She also examines sulfurization processes in coastal ecosystems like mangroves and salt marshes, linking modern observations to ancient geological records.

Raven has received an NSF CAREER Grant (2022) and contributed to influential studies on marine CDR risks and global sulfur cycle history. Her lab employs advanced mass spectrometry (ICP-MS, EA-IRMS) and wet chemistry techniques to analyze sulfur isotopes and organic matter transformations. Current students include Lena Capece, Molly Crotteau, and Marianna Karagiannis. She collaborates with environmental regulators, startups, and international researchers to bridge academic insights with practical climate solutions.

Future work emphasizes scalable CDR technologies, interdisciplinary monitoring frameworks, and resolving trade-offs between carbon sequestration and ecosystem health. The NOISE Lab also develops novel samplers and analytical protocols to guide safe, evidence-based deployment of marine CDR strategies.