Daniel Rothman

Daniel Rothman is a Professor of Geophysics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he has been a faculty member since 1986. He serves as Co-Director of the MIT Lorenz Center, a privately funded interdisciplinary research center devoted to learning how climate works, which he co-founded with Kerry Emanuel in 2011. His work spans multiple departments and disciplines at MIT, including the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS), where he contributes to research in geophysics, atmospheres, oceans, climate, and geology.

Rothman received his AB in applied mathematics from Brown University and his PhD in geophysics from Stanford University. His academic journey began with a focus on seismology, but he has since expanded his research interests to encompass:

• Earth system dynamics
• Carbon cycle and climate interactions
• Biogeochemistry and geobiology
• Statistical and nonlinear physics
• Mathematical geoscience

As a theoretical scientist, Rothman's research focuses on understanding how the organization of the natural world emerges from the interactions of life and the physical environment. He employs mathematics, statistical physics, and nonlinear dynamics to construct simple mathematical models that predict or explain observational data. His current work centers on the carbon cycle and its coupling to climate, exploring fundamental questions about how global biogeochemical cycles arise and evolve, their stability, and how they impact climate stability. This research has important implications for understanding current climate change and potential tipping points in the Earth system.

Rothman's publication record reveals a consistent focus on using mathematical approaches to understand Earth's systems. His work shows progression from fluid dynamics and pattern formation to carbon cycle modeling and mass extinction analysis. A recurring theme is identifying characteristic patterns and thresholds in Earth's systems, particularly how carbon cycle disruptions correlate with mass extinction events. His recent work has focused on identifying critical thresholds in the carbon cycle that, when breached, could lead to catastrophic climate change.

Daniel Rothman has received numerous prestigious awards for his contributions to science:

• Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2023)
• Levi L. Conant Prize, American Mathematical Society (2016)
• Fellow, American Geophysical Union (2014)
• Fellow, American Physical Society (2012)
• Fellow, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study (2007-2008)

Rothman has mentored numerous students throughout his career, supervising PhD students across multiple disciplines including Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, and Mathematics. His research group has received significant funding for projects investigating Earth system dynamics and carbon cycle modeling. He has taught courses such as "Modeling Environmental Complexity" and "Nonlinear Dynamics: Chaos," training students in mathematical approaches to environmental problems.

The Rothman research group operates within the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at MIT and is closely affiliated with the MIT Lorenz Center. His team combines theoretical approaches with data analysis to investigate complex Earth systems, frequently collaborating with researchers from physics, mathematics, biology, and oceanography. The group's work bridges disciplinary boundaries, applying concepts from statistical physics to understand biogeochemical cycles and Earth history.