Donald E. Canfield

Donald E. Canfield is a Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), where he also holds the positions of DIAS Chair, Nordcee Professor, and is affiliated with the SDU Climate Cluster. His work spans geobiology, microbial ecology, and biogeochemistry, with a focus on Earth's elemental cycles across geological time.

His research interests include understanding the evolution of Earth's surface chemistry and its influence on life and ecosystems. He investigates modern anoxic environments and ancient rock records to reconstruct past ocean and atmospheric conditions. A key focus is the interplay between oxygen levels and microbial metabolism, including the minimum oxygen requirements for aerobic life.

His recent publications reflect a strong trend in isotope geochemistry, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, and biogeochemical modeling. Topics include uranium and thallium isotope fractionation, particle transport from land to sea, and trait-based plankton modeling under climate change. These works demonstrate a consistent focus on Earth's redox evolution and microbial responses to environmental change.

Scientific Awards:

• V.M. Goldschmidt Award (2024)
• Villum Investigator Grant (2023)
• Ridder af Dannebrog (2020)
• Honorary Doctorate, Poitiers Université, France (2015)
• Vladimir Ivanovich Vernadsky Medal (2010)

Dr. Canfield has led major research projects funded by the Villum Foundation and Agouron Institute, and has participated in international collaborations, including with PetroChina. He has taught courses such as Microbial Ecology and Climate Change Biology, and has supervised student research projects. His work is supported by active grants and he remains a central figure in the Nordcee research center, contributing to both lab-based and field-based investigations into Earth's biogeochemical history.