Lucas Joppa

Lucas Joppa is an Adjunct Professor at the Yale School of Public Health and serves as Microsoft’s first Chief Environmental Officer. With a Ph.D. in Ecology from Duke University, he bridges technology and conservation through initiatives like the AI for Earth program, a $50 million effort to develop environmental solutions using artificial intelligence. His research integrates ecology, biodiversity, and AI to address planetary-scale challenges.

• Adjunct Professor, Yale School of Public Health
• Chief Environmental Officer, Microsoft
• Associate Editor in Chief, EcoSphere journal
• Fortune 40 Under 40 honoree

Joppa’s research focuses on leveraging artificial intelligence to combat climate change, protect biodiversity, and scale environmental data systems. He advocates for technology-driven conservation and has pioneered tools for poacher detection, carbon accounting, and global biodiversity monitoring. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration between tech and environmental science.

Scientific awards include being named to Fortune’s 40 Under 40, serving as Associate Editor in Chief for EcoSphere, and recognition as a highly cited researcher. He also contributes to international environmental policy, including IPBES assessments and the Global Deal for Nature.