Todd Ehlers

Todd Ehlers is a Professor (W3) of Geology and Department Chairperson at the Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Germany. He directs the Earth System Dynamics research group, which includes approximately 40 researchers, staff, and students. Previously, he held academic positions at the University of Michigan, USA, serving as Assistant Professor (2003-2007) and Associate Professor (2007-2009) with tenure.

Research Interests: His work focuses on integrating geophysical, geochemical, and geologic methods to study interactions between climate, tectonics, biota, and mountain topography. Key areas include biotic controls on topography, Earth surface processes, geodynamics, and glacial erosion. He uses high-performance computer models alongside geochemical data (e.g., thermochronology, isotope analysis) and geologic data to understand long-term (million-year) surface evolution processes in regions like the Andes and Himalaya-Tibet.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• Ralph Alger Bagnold Medal (2018, EGU)
• ERC Consolidator Award (2014)
• Golden Hammer Teaching Award (2016, University of Tübingen)
• Fellow of the Geological Society of America (2009)
• Outstanding Ph.D. Student Award (University of Utah, 1999)

Grants and Leadership: He coordinates two European research projects totaling over 12 million Euros, including an ERC Consolidator Grant, and co-coordinates a German Science Foundation (DFG) priority program. He has over 10 years of editorial experience for leading journals and co-authored a U.S. National Academy of Sciences report on Earth surface processes research.