Benjamin Passey

Benjamin Passey is a Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Michigan. He holds a Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Utah (2007) and completed postdoctoral research at Caltech (2007-2009). Before joining Michigan, he served as an Assistant Professor (2009-2015) and Associate Professor (2015-2016) at Johns Hopkins University's Earth and Planetary Sciences department. His research focuses on the interplay between Earth's climate, ecosystems, tectonics, and biogeochemical cycles, with a strong emphasis on isotopic techniques for paleoclimate reconstruction.

Dr. Passey leads the Iso Paleo Lab, which develops and applies novel isotopic methods (e.g., clumped isotopes, triple oxygen isotopes) to study ancient environments. His work integrates field-based sampling, laboratory analysis, and computational modeling to address questions about paleotemperatures, aridity, and ecosystem dynamics across timescales. Notable contributions include advancing soil carbonate and biological apatite as proxies for paleoenvironmental conditions and elucidating the role of tectonics in shaping climate patterns.

His recent studies explore modern and fossil carbonates in diverse settings—from the Peruvian Andes to the Serengeti—to refine methodologies for reconstructing past climates. Despite no listed scientific awards, his pioneering contributions to isotope geochemistry are widely recognized in his field. He mentors graduate students and advises on research funding for projects in paleoclimatology and geochemistry. The Iso Paleo Lab collaborates broadly, fostering interdisciplinary approaches to Earth system science.