Nathan Sheldon

Dr. Nathan Sheldon is a Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Michigan (U-M), part of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA). His research focuses on paleoclimatology, environmental biogeochemistry, and biosphere-environment interactions. He leads the Geobiology Research in Terrestrial Systems (GRiTS) lab, which integrates geochemical analyses, stable isotope studies, and modeling to explore Earth’s climate history. Dr. Sheldon’s work emphasizes reconstructing ancient CO2 levels, paleoclimate dynamics, and microbial ecosystems.

Education:

• PhD in Geological Sciences, University of Oregon (2003)
• BA in Geology, Carleton College (1999)

Research Interests:

• Environmental Biogeochemistry
• Climate Change and Paleoclimate
• Geochemical proxies for paleoenvironmental reconstruction
• Microbialite formation and early Earth systems

His lab investigates terrestrial and lake sediment records to understand long-term climate shifts and biosphere interactions.

Awards:

• 2020 AAAS Fellow for contributions to paleosol-based CO2 reconstructions

Advising & Labs: Dr. Sheldon mentors students in graduate and undergraduate programs. His GRiTS lab operates from facilities in the North University Building (labs 3501 and 5565). Research includes collaborative projects like the Cenozoic CO2 Proxy Integration Project (CENCO2PIP), aiming to synthesize atmospheric CO2 histories.

Key Locations: The lab is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabeg peoples. Dr. Sheldon’s global fieldwork includes sites in Iceland, Scotland, and the Faroe Islands.