Lidya Tarhan

Lidya Tarhan is an Assistant Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Yale University, where she leads the Tarhan Geobiology Lab. Her research focuses on the interplay between ancient life and environments, particularly during key intervals like the Ediacaran Period and the Cambrian Explosion. She investigates processes such as fossilization, bioturbation, and geochemical cycling using multidisciplinary approaches.

Education:

• Ph.D. (2013), Geological Sciences, University of California-Riverside
• M.S. (2010), Geological Sciences, University of California-Riverside
• B.A. (2008), Geology and English, Amherst College

Research Interests:

• Ediacaran preservation mechanisms and paleoenvironments
• Bioturbation’s role in shaping marine ecosystems
• Geochemical drivers of fossilization (e.g., silica-rich oceans)
• Evolution of early animal ecosystems and substrate engineering
• Experimental taphonomy and sedimentological analysis

Scientific Awards:

• Young Scientist Award (Donath Medal), 2021

Advising & Grants: Her lab actively conducts field and laboratory research, with projects funded by grants exploring fossilization processes, bioturbation impacts, and early Paleozoic environmental dynamics. Collaborations include international efforts to study Arctic climate archives and Ediacaran fossil sites.

Labs/Teams: The Tarhan Geobiology Lab integrates fieldwork, geochemical analyses, and modeling to address geobiological questions, with ongoing projects in Nevada, Utah, Australia, and Svalbard.