Michael Bau

Michael Bau is a Professor of Geosciences at Jacobs University Bremen, part of the School of Science. His roles include leading the 'Resource and Environmental Studies' research group and serving in academic governance roles such as Head of the Academic Senate (2018-2022) and Faculty Speaker (2014-2017). He holds a Habilitation (1998) and Ph.D. (1991) in Geochemistry from the Free University of Berlin.

Research interests focus on Biogeochemistry of Earth's Surface, Critical Metals, Environmental Geochemistry, and Early Earth History. Notable projects include studies on rare earth elements (REE) in natural systems, marine ferromanganese crusts, and ancient seawater chemistry. His work bridges geochemistry with environmental science, addressing resource sustainability and anthropogenic impacts.

Key awards include the 2012 Hawley Medal (Mineralogical Society of Canada) and the 2010 'Great Entertainer' teaching award from Jacobs University. He has authored over 200 publications, emphasizing REE behavior in aquatic systems, critical mineral deposits, and paleoenvironmental reconstructions.

His research groups investigate topics like gadolinium microcontamination in rivers, REE-Nb mineralization in Morocco, and Neoproterozoic marine habitats. Collaborations span institutions globally, including Penn State University and the GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam.