Donald D Blankenship

Donald D. Blankenship is a Research Professor at the Institute for Geophysics, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin. His work focuses on geophysical techniques to study ice sheets and subglacial environments, with a focus on Antarctica and planetary analogs like Jupiter's moon Europa. He holds a Ph.D. in Geophysics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has held positions since 1996 at UT Austin. He has conducted extensive fieldwork in Antarctica, including aerogeophysical surveys and studies of ice dynamics, subglacial geology, and volcanic activity beneath ice sheets.

Key research areas include the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, subglacial lakes, and the integration of radar, gravity, and magnetic data. He has led projects such as the Support Office for Aerogeophysical Research (SOAR) and contributed to NASA's Europa Orbiter Mission planning. His work bridges terrestrial and planetary science, with implications for climate change and astrobiology.

Blankenship has advised numerous students and postdocs, including PhD candidates in geophysics and master's students in geology and engineering. His awards include the Jackson Fellowship and the NASA Achievement Award. His recent focus includes the Europa Clipper mission and Antarctic ice core site selection.