Daniel Stolper

Professor Daniel Stolper is a faculty member in the Department of Earth and Planetary Science at the University of California, Berkeley. His research focuses on developing novel geochemical proxies to reconstruct past environmental conditions, particularly through isotopic analyses. He leads projects such as the Heising-Simons Faculty Fellowship-funded 'A First-of-its-kind Paleohygrometer: 17O as a Proxy for Past Relative Humidity in Fossil Wood.' This work integrates experimental geochemistry, theoretical modeling, and field studies to explore isotopic signatures in plant tissues and carbonates.

His expertise spans isotope geochemistry, climate reconstruction, and biogeochemical processes. Recent work includes studies on hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in water, methane, and wood methoxyl groups to trace environmental variables like temperature, humidity, and photorespiration rates. He has contributed to advancements in analytical techniques, such as high-precision triple oxygen isotope analysis and clumped isotope methodologies.

Stolper's scientific achievements include the 2020 FW Clarke Award and the Heising-Simons Fellowship. His research bridges fundamental geochemical questions with practical applications in paleoclimatology and Earth system science. Collaborative efforts involve experimental setups, global field campaigns, and interdisciplinary teams to address unresolved challenges in reconstructing Earth's past environments.