Todd A. Ehlers

Todd A. Ehlers is Professor of Geology and Department Chair at the University of Tübingen's Department of Geosciences, leading research on earth surface dynamics since 2009. Previously, he served as Assistant and Associate Professor at the University of Michigan (2003-2009) and held a postdoctoral fellowship at Caltech (2001-2002).

His educational background includes:

• PhD in Geology and Geophysics, University of Utah (2001)

Professor Ehlers' research integrates atmospheric circulation models, dynamic vegetation simulations, and landscape evolution frameworks to investigate climate-tectonics-biota-topography couplings. His methodology combines thermochronology, isotope geochemistry, and structural geology data with high-performance computing to quantify processes shaping mountain belts over million-year timescales. Key foci include glacial erosion mechanisms, biotic influences on relief development, and paleoclimate reconstruction in orogenic systems like the Andes and Himalaya-Tibet.

His scientific recognition includes:

• Ralph Alger Bagnold Medal (EGU, 2018)
• ERC Consolidator Award (2014)
• Golden Hammer teaching award (Tübingen, 2014/2016)
• Fellowship in the Geological Society of America (2009)

He directs major collaborative initiatives including two European research programs exceeding €12 million in funding and a German Research Foundation priority program. His editorial leadership spans over a decade with top earth science journals, and he contributed to the US National Academy of Sciences report on earth surface processes.

The Earth System Dynamics research group he chairs comprises approximately 40 researchers, staff, and students advancing computational geoscience at the University of Tübingen.