Kristin Bergmann

Professor Kristin Bergmann is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at MIT, holding the D. Reid (1941) and Barbara J. Weedon Career Development Chair. Her research focuses on reconstructing environmental changes through the study of marine carbonate sedimentary rocks, particularly from Oman, Svalbard, and the US. She investigates how climate and ocean chemistry influenced the evolution of complex life during Earth's transition from microbial to multicellular communities. Bergmann is deeply committed to fostering equity, inclusion, and student well-being, actively participating in initiatives like the MIT Committed to Caring (C2C) program and departmental diversity councils. She mentors students through lab meetings, anonymous feedback systems, and collaborations with campus support offices. Her lab emphasizes demystifying STEM pathways and empowering scientists to navigate academic systems confidently.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree from Carleton College
• Ph.D. in Geochemistry from Caltech
• Harvard Society of Fellows Junior Fellow

Research Interests: Bergmann's work bridges geochemistry, paleontology, and environmental science. She uses clumped isotopes, stable isotopes, and chemostratigraphy to analyze ancient carbonates and reconstruct past climates. Key themes include the Ediacaran-Cambrian transition, Snowball Earth events, and the interplay between ocean chemistry and early animal evolution. Recent projects explore geologic hydrogen storage potential in salt caverns and the role of anoxia in Ediacaran carbon isotope excursions.

Teaching & Mentoring: She co-developed a first-year graduate course on academic writing and peer review, and introduced fieldwork etiquette training. Her mentoring philosophy prioritizes student autonomy, emotional support, and inclusive lab dynamics. As noted by students, she balances technical guidance with personal mentorship, fostering resilience and intellectual curiosity.

Labs & Teams: The Bergmann Lab collaborates across disciplines, integrating fieldwork, lab analysis, and computational modeling. Current projects include chert microfossil imaging with synchrotron tomography and subsidence modeling of Neoproterozoic basins. The lab also advocates for equitable access to geoscience opportunities, particularly for underrepresented groups.