Paul Tackley

Prof. Paul Tackley is a Full Professor of Geophysical Fluid Dynamics at ETH Zurich’s Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, serving as Deputy Head of the Institute of Geophysics. His research focuses on mantle dynamics, planetary evolution, and numerical simulation techniques using high-performance computing. He holds a BA (1st Class Honors) in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge (1987), an MSc in Geophysics from Caltech (1991), and a PhD in Geophysics from Caltech (1994).

His work bridges computational geophysics and planetary science, emphasizing mantle convection, lithospheric dynamics, and exoplanet modeling. Notable honors include Fellowships from Academia Europaea (2021), the American Geophysical Union (2017), and the Packard Foundation (1997). He has led major initiatives, including the Division on Geodynamics of the European Geosciences Union (2017–2021) and international workshops since 2008. His research group explores topics like Venusian tectonics, planetary differentiation, and mission-critical instrumentation for ESA’s EnVision Venus mission.

Recent articles highlight advancements in isotopic heterogeneity tracking, bridgmanite grain-size effects, and Venusian surface-atmosphere coupling via the VenSpec instrument suite. His work underscores interdisciplinary approaches to understanding Earth and other terrestrial bodies.