Find Academic Supervisors

Britney Schmidt is Associate Professor in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and Astronomy at Cornell University, where she leads the Planetary Habitability and Technology Lab. She develops robotic tools like the Icefin underwater vehicle to study Earth's ice shelves and glaciers, providing insights into climate change and analogs for ocean worlds like Europa. Her research bridges glaciology, planetary science, and astrobiology. Research focuses on ocean world habitability, ice-ocean interactions, and Antarctic climate systems. Fieldwork includes extensive campaigns in Antarctica and the Arctic using robotic explorers. Recent publications explore Europa's habitability, Thwaites Glacier dynamics, microbial communities in hypersaline environments, and planetary analog studies. Technical developments include novel instrumentation for under-ice exploration. Awarded the 2024 Blavatnik National Award for groundbreaking research. Leads multiple international collaborations including NASA's Europa Clipper mission and Thwaites Glacier projects.

• Planetary Science
• Glaciology
• Robotic Exploration
• +3 more

Jon Hawkings is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science at the University of Pennsylvania School of Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on biogeochemical cycles in glacial environments, particularly the role of glacial meltwater in downstream ecosystems and coastal oceans. He investigates processes such as subglacial weathering, nutrient mobilization, and contaminant transport, with fieldwork conducted in the Arctic, Patagonia, Himalayas, and Antarctica. Education: PhD in Biogeochemistry (University of Bristol, 2015); MSci in Physical Geography (University of Bristol, 2009). Research Interests: Aqueous biogeochemistry and elemental cycles Chemical weathering and mineral dissolution Contaminant transport (e.g., mercury, arsenic) Glaciology and ice sheet dynamics Environmental impacts of glacial meltwater He collaborates on projects such as the Salsa-Antarctica subglacial lake drilling initiative. His work integrates field observations, electrochemical sensing, and lab analyses to address pressing questions in cryosphere science. Awards: None explicitly listed, but active in professional societies like the American Geophysical Union. Advising/Grants: No student advisees listed; funding sources include grants for fieldwork and analytical studies in glacial systems. Labs/Teams: Leads field research groups in remote polar and mountainous regions, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaborations between geochemistry, glaciology, and environmental science.

• Biogeochemistry
• Glaciology
• Chemical Weathering
• +5 more

Gabi Laske is a Professor at the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics (IGPP), Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), University of California, San Diego (UCSD). She is a leading researcher in seismology and geophysics, with a focus on Earth's internal structure, crustal and mantle modeling, and ocean-bottom seismology. Her work has significantly advanced global crustal models, including CRUST5.1, CRUST2.0, and CRUST1.0. Her research interests include seismology, geophysics, Earth's internal structure, surface wave tomography, normal mode analysis, crustal and lithospheric modeling, ocean bottom seismology, mantle plumes, inner core rotation, ambient noise seismology, and earthquake signal processing. She has led major projects such as the Hawaiian PLUME and SWELL experiments, utilizing ocean-bottom seismometers to study mantle dynamics and lithospheric rejuvenation. Her work on inner core differential rotation, particularly with Guy Masters, has been published in top journals like Nature and Science . The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong trend in ocean-bottom seismology, ambient noise analysis, instrument calibration, seismic signal quality, and imaging of crustal and mantle structure. Her work combines observational seismology with advanced signal processing and modeling techniques, often in collaboration with students and international teams. She has made significant contributions to understanding seismic anisotropy, normal modes, and the structure of volcanic and tectonic regions. Funded by NSF (OCE, EAR, CSEDI, MG&G) Collaborative projects with USGS, international institutions Advisor to PhD students, including Adrian Doran Lead developer of DLOPy for OBS orientation Contributor to global reference models (CRUST1.0, LITHO1.0) Gabi Laske has made enduring contributions to geophysics through her development of global crustal models, leadership in major seismic experiments, and mentorship of the next generation of seismologists. Her work continues to shape our understanding of Earth's deep interior and surface processes.

• Seismology
• Geophysics
• Earth's Internal Structure
• +8 more

Mike Wood is an Assistant Professor at the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML) with a joint appointment in the Department of Computer Science at San José State University (SJSU). His research focuses on ice-ocean-biology interactions and sea level rise dynamics related to the Greenland Ice Sheet, utilizing satellite observations, numerical ocean models, and in situ measurements. He leads the Computational Oceanography lab at MLML. Research Themes : Ice-ocean interactions, climate change impacts on polar regions, satellite remote sensing, and computational modeling. Academic Affiliation : MLML (Computational Oceanography) and SJSU Computer Science Department. Methodologies : Numerical modeling, satellite data analysis, and field observations in Greenlandic fjords. His recent publications reveal a focus on Greenland glacial meltwater dynamics, fjord-scale oceanography, and bathymetric mapping. Mike enjoys surfing and climbing when not engaged in academic work.

• Oceanography
• Climate Science
• Remote Sensing
• +4 more

Trista Vick-Majors is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences within the College of Sciences and Arts at Michigan Technological University. Her research bridges microbial ecology and biogeochemistry in aquatic ecosystems, with specialized focus on polar environments and ice-covered systems. Her educational background includes a PhD and MSc in Ecology and Environmental Sciences from Montana State University, and a BA in Biology from Colorado College. This foundation supports her investigation of microbial community interactions with elemental cycles in extreme environments. Research interests center on microbial ecology in cryosphere systems , examining how physical and chemical factors influence microbial metabolism in both seasonal ice environments and permanent Antarctic ice covers. Her work addresses critical questions about energetic constraints on microbial life during ecosystem transitions and seasonal changes, with implications for global biogeochemical cycles. Publication trends reveal consistent contributions to Antarctic subglacial lake research since 2016, with recent work focusing on Mercer Subglacial Lake sediment analysis, biogeochemical connectivity beneath ice sheets, and microbial responses to environmental change. Her research spans glaciology, limnology, and microbial ecology with strong interdisciplinary collaboration. Current research is supported through major Antarctic science initiatives including the Subglacial Antarctic Lakes Scientific Access project and Winter Network Project, providing field opportunities in extreme environments and access to specialized drilling and sampling technologies for subglacial exploration. Her laboratory work emphasizes environmentally clean access to pristine subglacial environments, with research groups focused on microbial community analysis in ice-covered aquatic systems and biogeochemical processes in polar sediments.

• Microbial Ecology
• Biogeochemistry
• Limnology
• +3 more

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.

• Geophysics
• Climate Science
• Planetary Science
• +4 more

James M Martin-Hayden serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth, Ecological and Environmental Sciences within the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Toledo. With over 25 years of service at the institution, he has established himself as a prominent hydrogeologist specializing in groundwater systems and environmental geology. Education: B.A. from University of Maine, M.S. and Ph.D. from University of Connecticut (1994) Current Position: Associate Professor of Geology Department: Earth, Ecological and Environmental Sciences University: University of Toledo Dr. Martin-Hayden's research focuses on hydrogeology, with particular emphasis on groundwater-surface water interactions in wetland ecosystems, numerical groundwater modeling, and hydrogeologic field methods. His work primarily investigates the Oak Openings Region of northwest Ohio, examining how drainage modifications have altered natural groundwater flow regimes that support wet prairies. He has made significant contributions to understanding wellbore flow dynamics, groundwater sampling methodologies, and the impacts of evapotranspiration on groundwater recharge. His research integrates field observations, numerical modeling, and geophysical techniques to address complex hydrogeological problems. Analysis of Dr. Martin-Hayden's publication record reveals a consistent research trajectory focused on hydrogeological systems, particularly in the Great Lakes region. His work spans from fundamental investigations of wellbore flow dynamics to applied studies of regional aquifer systems and wetland hydrology. Recent publications demonstrate increasing integration of geophysical methods with traditional hydrogeological approaches, reflecting an evolution toward more comprehensive characterization of complex subsurface systems. His research shows particular strength in addressing the hydrological impacts of human modifications to natural systems, especially in wetland ecosystems. Dr. Martin-Hayden has mentored several students, including Lucas Groat (thesis on Hydrogeology of Wet Prairies) and Pryanka More (undergraduate thesis on Influences of ET on Groundwater Recharge). His collaborative work shows strong connections with researchers including Timothy G. Fisher, Kennedy Okioghene Doro, and Richard H. Becker, indicating active participation in research networks focused on Great Lakes geology and hydrogeology.

• Hydrogeology
• Groundwater Modeling
• Environmental Geology
• +3 more

Matthew Siegfried is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geophysics at Colorado School of Mines, where he leads the Mines Glaciology Laboratory . His work combines satellite remote sensing with field and airborne geophysical methods to study Earth's glaciers and ice sheets, focusing on subglacial hydrology, ice-ocean interactions, and grounding zone dynamics. PhD in Earth Sciences (2015) - Scripps Institution of Oceanography M.S. in Earth Sciences (2010) - Dartmouth College A.B. in Earth Sciences (2008) - Dartmouth College His research explores subglacial hydrology (subglacial lakes, groundwater), ice-ocean interactions (grounding zones, ice shelves), and geophysical surveying using air/spaceborne altimetry (ICESat-2, Operation IceBridge). Recent projects examine West Antarctic ice streams, Arctic coastal dynamics, and Ross Ice Shelf stability. Publications span topics in subglacial lake evolution , ICESat-2 algorithm development , and ice-ocean feedback mechanisms . Collaborative work includes biogeochemical studies of Mercer Subglacial Lake and Arctic permafrost-wildfire interactions. 2023 Mines Excellence in Research Award 2022 Undergraduate Student Government Faculty Award 2020 AGU Outstanding Reviewer He mentors through the Mines Glaciology Laboratory , supported by NASA and NSF grants (CAREER program, ICESat-2 projects). Outreach includes podcast appearances (e.g., Historians at the Movies) and K-12 collaborations.

• Subglacial hydrology
• Ice-ocean interaction
• Grounding zone dynamics
• +4 more

Jonathan Kingslake is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Columbia University and a member of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. His research focuses on glaciology, subglacial and supraglacial hydrology, and ice sheet dynamics. He holds a BSc in Physics from the University of York and a PhD in Glaciology from the University of Sheffield. Prior to Columbia, he worked as a Glacier Geophysicist at the British Antarctic Survey. His work integrates field observations, remote sensing, and mathematical modeling to improve understanding of glacial processes and climate impacts. Education: B.Sc. Physics, University of York (2009) Ph.D. Glaciology, University of Sheffield (2013) Key Research Themes: Subglacial and supraglacial water dynamics West Antarctic Ice Sheet evolution Ice shelf stability and meltwater mechanisms Glacial lake formation and drainage Fieldwork Experience: Antarctica (2013–2015): Radar and GPS measurements of ice flow Greenland (2017): Meltwater refreezing studies Juneau Icefield (2018): Firn compaction and ice core sampling Grants & Collaborations: NSF-funded projects on Antarctic ice shelf dynamics Lenfest Junior Faculty Development Grant (Juneau Icefield fieldwork) Part of the Polar Geophysics Group at Lamont Lab/Team: Advises a group of students and postdocs in the Polar Geophysics Group, focusing on interdisciplinary approaches to glacial processes.

• Geophysics
• Arctic Studies
• Cryosphere
• +3 more

Victor Tsai is a Professor of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences at Brown University. He specializes in seismology, geomechanics, and theoretical glaciology, with a focus on earthquake mechanics, glacial dynamics, and wave propagation. His research bridges geophysical theory and observation, addressing topics like fault network complexity, subglacial hydrology, and seismic tomography. Tsai holds a PhD from Harvard University (2009) and has been recognized with awards including the NSF CAREER Award (2015) and the Charles F. Richter Award (2014). Education: PhD (Harvard, 2009), AM (Harvard, 2006), BS (Caltech, 2004) Affiliations: Brown University (since 2019), previously at Caltech (2011–2019) Research highlights include modeling earthquake source complexity, understanding high-frequency ground motion, and developing new seismic imaging techniques. His work on glacial earthquakes and meltwater pulses has advanced climate-ice interaction studies. Collaborations span seismology, glaciology, and planetary science.

• Seismology
• Geomechanics
• Fluid-Solid Interactions
• +5 more

Ajay B. Limaye is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia. His research spans terrestrial and planetary landscapes, focusing on fluvial geomorphology, quantitative stratigraphy, and planetary surface processes. He employs remote sensing, geospatial analysis, numerical modeling, and laboratory experiments to study river dynamics, sedimentary deposits, and climate records on Earth, Mars, and Titan. His work integrates NSF and NASA-funded projects, including the development of a Landscape Evolution Laboratory with a 7m×3m experimental basin for controlled landscape modeling. His research explores feedbacks between landslides and ecology in central Virginia, Martian deltaic deposits, and submarine channel systems. He teaches courses in geomorphology, planetary geology, and fundamental geosciences. NSF CAREER Award (2023) : "GLOW: Sequencing rivers with machine learning and bioinformatics" Keck Institute Fellowship (2010) : High-resolution stratigraphy of Mars polar deposits Recent publications analyze braided river dynamics (e.g., Brahmaputra-Jamuna River), meander bend geometry, landslide-vegetation interactions, and planetary hydrology. His experimental work on autogenic fluvial terraces and turbidity maximum zones in estuaries demonstrates interdisciplinary methodological rigor.

• Fluvial geomorphology
• Quantitative stratigraphy
• Planetary surfaces
• +7 more

Roger Michaelides is an Assistant Professor of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences and Environmental Studies at Washington University in St. Louis. He leads the Radar Interferometry and Geospatial Science Laboratory (Radar Lab), focusing on radar remote sensing, geospatial techniques, and Arctic permafrost dynamics. His work integrates InSAR, radar altimetry, and multi-sensor fusion to study environmental processes like wildfire-permafrost interactions, coastal erosion, and climate change impacts. Michaelides earned a PhD in Geophysics from Stanford University (2020) and held postdoctoral positions at the Colorado School of Mines (2020–2022). He joined Washington University in 2022. His research emphasizes developing novel remote sensing methods for cryospheric and terrestrial systems, including NASA-funded studies tracking permafrost thaw and wildfire effects in the Arctic. Recent awards include a NASA Early Career Investigator Program Fellowship (ECIP-ES), supporting his $300,000 project on Arctic permafrost monitoring. He actively mentors graduate and undergraduate students, offering funded PhD opportunities in InSAR applications and climate science. His lab collaborates with agencies like NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization, leveraging satellite data from missions like NISAR. Key interests include radar signal processing, environmental modeling, and interdisciplinary approaches to Earth observation. Michaelides’ work bridges geophysics, ecology, and climate science, with applications to global environmental challenges such as permafrost degradation and wildfire prediction.

• Radar Remote Sensing
• Geospatial Science
• Arctic Permafrost Dynamics
• +5 more

Patrick A. Rafter is an Assistant Professor in the Chemical Oceanography department at the University of South Florida College of Marine Science . His research focuses on marine carbon cycling , isotope geochemistry , and paleoceanography , with specific interests in understanding carbon dynamics across geological timescales and developing methods for marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) . Key Research Themes Carbon cycling in modern and ancient oceans Application of stable and radiocarbon isotopes Biogeochemical impacts of climate change Deep-sea circulation and carbon sequestration Marine carbon removal strategies Recent Work explores carbonate dissolution fluxes, glacial-interglacial CO2 cycles, and alkalinity enhancement in the California Current System. His Ocean and Climate Lab integrates field measurements with modeling to trace carbon pathways. Contact : prafter@usf.edu

• Chemical Oceanography
• Isotope Geochemistry
• Paleoceanography
• +4 more

Donald D. Blankenship is a Research Professor at the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics (UTIG) within the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin. Holding a Ph.D. and M.S. in Geophysics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a B.S. in Physics from Eastern Illinois University, he specializes in planetary geophysics and ice sheet dynamics. His work focuses on exploring Earth's polar regions and extraterrestrial icy worlds, particularly Jupiter's moon Europa, through advanced radar techniques and subglacial lake studies. Education: Ph.D., M.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison B.S., Eastern Illinois University His research has contributed to NASA's Europa mission, Antarctic ice core site identification, and understanding subglacial hydrology. He leads innovative geophysical investigations relevant to planetary habitability and climate change. Affiliations include the Center for Planetary Systems Habitability and partnerships with the Bureau of Economic Geology.

• Planetary Geophysics
• Ice Sheet Dynamics
• Antarctic Geology
• +3 more

Tammy M. Rittenour is a Professor and Graduate Director in the Department of Geosciences at Utah State University (USU). She also directs the USU Luminescence Lab, specializing in luminescence dating techniques. Her research focuses on reconstructing past climates and landscape evolution using geomorphology, sedimentology, and geochronology, with field studies in river systems, sand dunes, glacial environments, and geoarchaeological sites. Rittenour holds a PhD in Geomorphology and Geochronology from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln (2004), and degrees from the University of Massachusetts and the University of Minnesota. Her teaching spans graduate and undergraduate courses including Paleoclimatology, Quaternary Geochronology, and Geomorphology. She has mentored numerous graduate students in geosciences, focusing on topics like luminescence dating applications in archaeology and geomorphic processes. Rittenour’s work has advanced understanding of fluvial systems, glacial dynamics, and the integration of tectonic and climatic influences on landscapes, with field projects globally from Patagonia to the Colorado Plateau. Publications emphasize luminescence dating innovations, Holocene environmental changes, and the interplay between human activity and geological processes. She leads efforts to refine geochronological methods and apply them to diverse contexts, including archaeological reservoir dating and fault rupture studies. The USU Luminescence Lab under her direction is a key facility for advancing chronostratigraphic analyses in paleoenvironmental research.

• Paleoclimatology
• Quaternary Geology
• Geomorphology
• +3 more