Gretchen Keppel-Aleks

Gretchen Keppel-Aleks is an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan, with dual appointments in the College of Engineering (Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering) and the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (Earth and Environmental Sciences). Her research focuses on carbon cycle-climate interactions, remote sensing of atmospheric trace gases, Earth System modeling, and atmospheric tracer transport.

• Education: PhD and MS from Caltech in Environmental Science and Engineering, SB from MIT in Chemical Engineering

Her work integrates satellite data, ground-based observations, and Earth System models to understand carbon dynamics and climate feedbacks. She leads initiatives in the North American Carbon Project and Community Earth System Model, emphasizing biogeochemistry and atmospheric transport modeling.

Scientific Awards:

• Kavli Fellow (2018)
• NASA Group Achievement Award (2018)
• NOAA Climate and Global Change Postdoctoral Fellowship (2011-2013)
• AAUW Dissertation Fellowship (2009-2010)
• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (2006-2009)
• Vito Vanoni Graduate Fellowship (2004-2005)

She actively contributes to professional service, including roles as Co-Chair for the Community Earth System Model Biogeochemistry Working Group and Atmospheric Lead for the International Land Model Benchmarking project. Her collaborations with the NASA Orbiting Carbon Observatory Science Team highlight her expertise in atmospheric CO2 monitoring.