Liane G. Benning

Liane G. Benning holds a joint appointment as Professor in Interface Geochemistry at German Research Centre for Geosciences GFZ Potsdam and Freie Universität Berlin since 2016, while maintaining her position as Professor in Experimental Biogeochemistry at University of Leeds since 2007. She serves as Head of Interface Geochemistry Section 4.4 at GFZ Potsdam, leading a research group focused on mineral-fluid-microbe interactions in extreme environments. Her academic journey began with a Vordiplom in Geology/Mineralogy from Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, followed by a Diploma in Petrology/Geochemistry and PhD in Aqueous Experimental Geochemistry from ETH Zürich.

Professor Benning's research interests span biogeochemistry, mineralogy, and extremophile microbiology with particular focus on mineral-fluid-microbe interface reactions in cryogenic environments. Her work examines microbial-mineral-ice interactions contributing to Greenland Ice Sheet darkening and accelerated melting, nucleation and crystallization mechanisms of environmentally relevant minerals, and microbial processes in extreme cryogenic settings that influence global-scale biogeochemical cycles. She develops and applies innovative in situ and time-resolved techniques to quantify these complex interactions at molecular to ecosystem scales.

Her publication record demonstrates consistent high-impact research across geochemistry, environmental science, and materials science. The articles reveal a strong focus on mineral formation processes, particularly calcium carbonate and sulfate systems, with increasing attention to cryospheric microbiology and its climate implications. Her work bridges fundamental geochemical processes with real-world environmental challenges, especially regarding ice sheet dynamics and biogeochemical cycling in polar regions.

• 2020 Geochemistry Fellow: European Association of Geochemistry + Geochemical Society
• 2018 Member of the German National Academy of Sciences, Leopoldina
• 2017 Member of the European Academy of Sciences, Academia Europaea
• 2016 Schlumberger Award, The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland
• 2016 Bigsby Medal, Geological Society of London
• 2015-2017 President of the European Geochemical Society
• 2009-2014 Wolfson Research Merit Award, UK Royal Society

Professor Benning has secured substantial research funding, with over 24 million Euro acquired through EU and UK grants in the last decade. She serves on the UK NERC Peer Review College and has contributed to DIAMOND working groups for beamline design. As Founding Editor of Geochemical Perspectives and Geochemical Perspectives Letters since 2014, she plays a significant role in shaping geochemical discourse. Her research has important implications for understanding climate change processes, particularly regarding ice sheet dynamics and biogeochemical cycling in polar regions.

Leading the Interface Geochemistry Section at GFZ Potsdam, Professor Benning directs a multidisciplinary team investigating mineral-fluid-microbe interactions across various environmental systems. Her laboratory combines advanced analytical techniques with experimental approaches to study biogeochemical processes at interfaces. The research group collaborates extensively with international partners, particularly in polar science initiatives examining the role of microbial communities in ice sheet dynamics and global biogeochemical cycles.