Roger Fu

Roger Fu is a Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Harvard University, leading the Paleomagnetics Lab since 2017. He holds a PhD in planetary sciences from MIT and specializes in paleomagnetism, studying planetary magnetism, tectonic reconstructions, and early Earth history. His research integrates geodynamical modeling with advanced tools like the quantum diamond microscope (QDM), enabling high-resolution magnetic imaging of geological samples.

Education: BS from Harvard University (2009, Earth and Planetary Sciences & Astrophysics), PhD from MIT (planetary sciences). Post-PhD research included living with the Mapuche people of Chile to study traditional astronomy. His work focuses on Earth's geodynamo, Martian crustal magnetism, and the solar nebula's magnetic fields.

Research interests span planetary formation, early Earth dynamics, and the application of QDM technology to study magnetic minerals. Notable contributions include detecting early plate motions and a reversing geodynamo by 3.5 Ga, and analyzing Martian meteorite magnetism to infer crustal cooling processes.

His articles emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, linking paleomagnetic data with geodynamic models to address questions about planetary interiors and climate history. The QDM has been pivotal in visualizing magnetic mineral distributions, enhancing confidence in paleomagnetic interpretations.

Labs/Teams: Director of Harvard's Paleomagnetics Lab. Collaborates with applied physics groups to advance QDM technology. Research group includes the Fu Group and the QDM development team.