Paula V. Welander

Paula V. Welander is an Associate Professor of Earth System Science and Associate Dean for Integrative Initiatives in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Stanford University. She holds a courtesy appointment in the Department of Biology. Her research focuses on microbial lipid biomarkers, particularly their biosynthesis and role in understanding Earth's history. Welander earned her B.A. in Kinesiology from Occidental College (1998), M.S. and Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2003, 2007), and completed postdoctoral work at MIT in Biology and Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences.

Research Interests: Her work explores the phylogenetic distribution and physiological functions of lipid biomarkers in bacteria and archaea. Key projects include studying sterol and hopanoid synthesis in microbes, the evolutionary origins of membrane lipids, and the application of biomarkers to reconstruct ancient environmental conditions. Her lab investigates extremophiles in habitats like Lassen Volcanic National Park’s hot springs to understand lipid adaptations in extreme environments.

Key Contributions: Welander’s lab identified novel proteins (e.g., Ths, SdmA/B, GrsA/B) critical for lipid biosynthesis in archaea and bacteria. These discoveries refine interpretations of biomarkers in sedimentary records and advance understanding of microbial evolution. Her work on GDGT lipids in archaea clarifies paleotemperature proxies, while bacterial sterol studies challenge traditional eukaryotic biomarker assumptions.

Awards & Recognition: Recipient of Stanford Earth’s Excellence in Teaching Awards (multiple years), featured in NASA’s Mars mission discussions, and a leader in promoting equity in STEM education. She collaborates widely, including with MIT’s Summons Lab and Caltech’s Newman Lab.

Lab & Community: The Welander Lab emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches and inclusivity, fostering an environment that values diverse perspectives. Their Green Earth Sciences Building location supports cutting-edge biochemical and genomic research. Ongoing projects include studying archaeal membrane evolution and microbial contributions to Earth’s biogeochemical cycles.