Benjamin Houlton

Benjamin Z. Houlton is the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and a Professor at Cornell University, with affiliations in the Departments of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Global Development. His research focuses on biogeochemistry, climate change, and agricultural sustainability, emphasizing solutions for carbon sequestration, nitrogen cycling, and ecosystem resilience. He leads initiatives like the Working Lands Innovation Center, advancing carbon capture strategies in farmland. Houlton earned degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Syracuse University, and Princeton University, followed by postdoctoral work at Stanford.

His research integrates microbial genetics, data science, and remote sensing to address global challenges. Notable projects include studying enhanced mineral weathering for carbon capture and exploring nitrogen-carbon interactions. He has published over 130 peer-reviewed articles and secured grants exceeding $250M. Awards include the Gene E. Likens Award and NSF-CAREER.

• Education:
  • Ph.D., Princeton University (2005)
  • M.S., Syracuse University (2000)
  • B.S., University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point (1998)
  • Postdoc, Stanford University (2007)

Research Interests: Climate change mitigation, biogeochemical cycles, carbon sequestration, sustainable agriculture, and planetary resilience. His work bridges science and policy, collaborating with farmers, policymakers, and industry to translate research into actionable solutions. Current projects include 100-acre farmland trials for carbon capture and modeling global nitrogen dynamics.

Awards:

• Gene E. Likens Award (2006)
• Andrew W. Mellon Young Investigator Award (2008)
• NSF-CAREER Award (2011)

Leadership and Grants: Oversees the John Muir Institute of the Environment, managing $36M annually. Spearheaded the OneClimate initiative and California Collaborative for Climate Change Solutions. Collaborates globally on carbon markets and tribal partnerships. Cornell CALS research expenditures exceed $254M annually.

Labs/Teams: Houlton Research Group focuses on global environmental studies, with projects on rock weathering, soil amendments, and climate policy. Key collaborators include farmers, tribes, and industry partners across California and beyond.