Dawn Y. Sumner is a Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of California, Davis. Her research focuses on geobiology, paleobiology, and planetary science, particularly reconstructing ancient environments on Earth and Mars. She is a key member of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory team, contributing to the Curiosity rover’s exploration of Gale Crater on Mars. Sumner’s work integrates field studies, lab analyses, and interdisciplinary approaches to understand microbial life’s role in shaping Earth’s history and potential habitability on other planets. Education: Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1995). Research interests include microbialite formation, Antarctic lake ecosystems, and the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis. She investigates modern microbial communities in ice-covered lakes (e.g., Lake Vanda) to understand ancient environments and their biosignatures. Her scientific awards include the California Academy of Sciences Academy Fellow (2020) and Geological Society of America Fellow (2014). Sumner emphasizes inclusive education and supports student success in STEM through feminist research practices. Labs/Teams: W.M. Keck Center for Active Visualization in the Earth Sciences (KeckCAVES), Antarctic Lake Research Group.
Gifford H. Miller is a Professor at the University of Colorado Boulder and serves as the Director of the Center for Geochemical Analysis of the Global Environment (GAGE) . His research focuses on reconstructing Earth's climate system using Quaternary records, with expertise in amino acid geochronology and cosmogenic exposure dating. Specializes in Arctic climate history, ice sheet dynamics, and human impacts on ecosystems Active in teaching courses on global change, Quaternary dating methods, and Holocene nonlinearities His recent work explores Holocene climate variability through lake sediments in Iceland and Baffin Island, integrating biomarkers and ancient DNA. Awards include the 2021 University of Colorado Distinguished Professor title and fellowships from AGU and GSA. 2021: Distinguished Professor, University of Colorado System 2018: Distinguished Career Award, American Quaternary Association 2009: Elected Fellow, American Geophysical Union
Peter Wilf is a Professor in the Department of Geosciences at Pennsylvania State University's College of Earth & Mineral Sciences. His research focuses on fossil plants as indicators of past climates, biodiversity, and environmental disturbances from the latest Cretaceous through middle Eocene (~67-45 million years ago). Wilf leads significant research projects including the Origins of Southeast Asian Rainforests from Paleobotany and Machine Learning and the Patagonia Paleofloras Project. His research interests span paleobotany, paleoclimatology, plant-insect interactions, and biogeography, with emphasis on how deep-time data illuminate modern ecosystems and their responses to anthropogenic change. Wilf's work primarily focuses on the latest Cretaceous through middle Eocene, examining global disturbances including warming and cooling events, the end-Cretaceous mass extinction, and recovery periods. His research has significant implications for understanding climate change, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem dynamics. Wilf's extensive publication record demonstrates consistent high-impact research across paleobotany, with recent work focusing on Southeast Asian rainforests, Patagonian paleofloras, and the connections between Gondwanan landmasses. His research integrates fieldwork in Patagonia and Southeast Asia with advanced analytical techniques, including machine learning applications for fossil leaf identification. Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 2022 Wilson Award for Excellence in Research, Penn State College of Earth & Mineral Sciences 2022 Fellow, Paleontological Society 2017 Fellow, Geological Society of America 2016 Paul F. Robertson Research Breakthrough of the Year Award, Penn State College of Earth & Mineral Sciences 2016 George W. Atherton Award for Excellence in Teaching, Pennsylvania State University 2013 Wilf maintains an active research program with numerous NSF-funded projects and international collaborations. He leads a productive lab group conducting extensive fieldwork in Patagonia, Argentina, and Southeast Asia. His research has transformed understanding of Southern Hemisphere floras, the role of Patagonia in plant evolution, and connections between ancient and modern ecosystems across continents. Wilf's laboratory serves as a hub for paleobotanical research, bringing together students, postdocs, and international collaborators to study fossil plant collections from around the world. The lab integrates traditional paleobotanical methods with cutting-edge technologies including machine learning for fossil identification and advanced imaging techniques for detailed morphological analysis.
Dr. John Warren Huntley is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Missouri. His research examines the fossil record of biotic interactions including parasitism, predation, and competition, with additional focus on conservation paleobiology and morphological disparity evolution. Dr. Huntley investigates host-parasite dynamics in marine bivalves, human impacts on mollusk populations, and Phanerozoic predation patterns. His work integrates stratigraphic paleobiology with ecological and evolutionary analyses to reconstruct historical ecosystem dynamics. His recent publications demonstrate expertise in paleoparasitology, taphonomy, and conservation paleobiology, applying novel analytical methods to questions about parasite-host coevolution, preservation biases, and extinction events. This research provides critical insights into long-term ecological patterns and biological responses to environmental change. Dr. Huntley has received significant recognition including an NSF CAREER Award and Humboldt Research Fellowship, and he co-edited the comprehensive volumes 'The Evolution and Fossil Record of Parasitism'.
Natalia Rybczynski is an Adjunct Research Professor in the Department of Biology at Carleton University, affiliated with the Faculty of Science. Her primary research focuses on Paleobiology and Paleoenvironments of the Cenozoic High Arctic and functional morphology of vertebrate feeding and locomotion systems. She holds offices at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Gatineau and coordinates interdisciplinary projects on Arctic paleoenvironments, pinniped evolution, and vertebrate herbivore feeding mechanisms. Education: B.Sc. in Biology, Carleton University M.Sc. in Zoology, University of Toronto Ph.D. in Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University Research Interests: Reconstructing Arctic paleoenvironments during the Neogene Evolutionary transitions in marine mammals (e.g., pinnipeds) Feeding kinematics in herbivorous vertebrates like hadrosaurs Integration of field-based paleontology with biomechanical and anatomical analyses Her publications span paleoclimatology, fossil analysis, and evolutionary studies, emphasizing Arctic ecosystems and vertebrate adaptations. Collaborative work includes geoscientists to reconstruct ancient Arctic climates and anatomists to model feeding systems in extinct species. Active in field expeditions and lab-based experimental studies. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with Canadian Museum of Nature researchers and international teams in Arctic paleontology projects. Engages in interdisciplinary initiatives like the PoLAR-FIT project studying Pliocene Arctic ecosystems.
Freya Morris is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Geosciences at Hamilton College, appointed in 2025. Previously, she served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Whitman College during the 2023-2024 academic year following her Ph.D. defense in summer 2023, and took a gap year for solo global travel. Her research integrates field-based sedimentology and structural geology to reconstruct paleoenvironments and basin evolution, focusing on climate-tectonics interactions and life's evolution through Earth history. Dr. Morris holds a Ph.D. and M.S. from the California Institute of Technology and a B.S. from Lafayette College. She employs geochemical methods and glacial isostatic adjustment modeling to support lithostratigraphic correlations and sea-level history reconstructions during deglaciation events. Her recent publications examine Ediacaran cap carbonates in Namibia and Marinoan Snowball Earth deglaciation dynamics, advancing understanding of ancient climate systems and extreme climate change records. These works demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches combining field geology with quantitative modeling. Scientific Awards: National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2017-2022) Supported by the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship during doctoral studies, Dr. Morris now develops her research program at Hamilton College while mentoring undergraduate students in geoscience through field-based courses like Principles of Geoscience: Our Interconnected Earth.
Eric Roberts is a Professor of Geology and Geological Engineering and Director of the Potential Gas Agency at the Colorado School of Mines. His research focuses on basin analysis, energy exploration, and sedimentary geology with specializations in Mesozoic-Cenozoic basins of Gondwana and North America. He leads projects in U-Pb geochronology, critical minerals exploration, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction through vertebrate paleontology and stratigraphy studies. Roberts' work integrates advanced geochronological techniques with field-based analyses to address questions in paleobiology, resource exploration, and earth system dynamics. Key research themes include: Geochronology of sedimentary and volcanic deposits Paleoclimate reconstruction using paleosols Stratigraphic frameworks for dinosaur fossil records Resource potential of helium/hydrogen reserves Antarctic and African vertebrate paleontology His exploration of hominin burial practices in the Rising Star Cave System has provided critical insights into early human behavior. Roberts' interdisciplinary approach bridges geological, biological, and environmental sciences to advance understanding of Earth's history and resource management strategies.
Mark Abbott is a Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, specializing in paleoclimatology and environmental science. He holds a PhD from the University of Minnesota (1997) and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Massachusetts. His research integrates stratigraphy, geochemistry, and isotopic analysis to study climate change impacts on human societies and environmental systems. Abbott leads projects recovering lake sediment cores to document Holocene climate variability, focusing on annual-resolution records for temperature and drought reconstructions. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed articles, with recent work emphasizing monsoon dynamics, Arctic mercury deposition, and tropical Andean glacial retreat. His fieldwork spans North America, South America, and Asia, including collaborative projects in Alaska, Peru, and India. Education: PhD in Geology (Minnesota, 1997), MS (Colorado, 1991), BA in Biology (Colorado, 1987) Postdoctoral Training: Climate System Research Center (UMass) Research interests include reconstructing past environmental changes via lacustrine archives, with emphasis on human-environment interactions. His lab analyzes stable isotopes, organic biomarkers, and sedimentology to address critical climate questions. Recent studies highlight climate-vegetation-fire linkages in the Pacific Northwest and Holocene lake-level changes in Canada/Yunnan. Recent articles focus on decadal-to-millennial climate shifts in mountain regions, Arctic permafrost dynamics, and anthropogenic impacts on lake ecosystems. Abbott’s work is supported by grants from NOAA and the NSF, with field sites in the Canadian Rockies, Himalayas, and Alaskan Arctic.
Alex Liu is a Researcher at the Department of Earth Sciences within the University of Cambridge. He specializes in palaeobiology , focusing on the origin and early evolution of animals, particularly the Ediacaran biota (~579–539 million years ago), and their co-evolution with Earth's environment. Research Focus: Refines understanding of animal body plan evolution, taphonomy, sedimentology, and macroevolutionary trends. Methodologies: Combines fieldwork, experimental studies, petrology, phylogenetics, and big-data analyses. Collaborations: Works with international museums and research teams on fossil sites in Namibia, Canada, and Brazil. Additional Interests: Explores meiofaunal evolution, paleogeography, paleoclimate, and conservation paleobiology. He supervises Cambridge NERC Doctoral Landscape Awards (DLA) projects and welcomes student contributions to taxonomic, paleoecological, and analytical studies.
Professor John Parnell is the Chair in Geology & Petroleum Geology at the University of Aberdeen , affiliated with the School of Geosciences and Department of Geology and Petroleum Geology . His research focuses on geochemistry, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, trace element cycling, and sedimentary systems , with significant contributions to studies of the Rhynie Chert, Bowland Shale, and Lewisian Complex. Research Interests Professor Parnell's work spans: Geochemical analysis of Paleoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic systems Trace metal mobility in sedimentary and metamorphic environments Organic carbon burial and its tectonic implications Planetary analog studies for Mars exploration Shale resource characterization and environmental impact assessment Recent Publications His recent articles highlight investigations into: Graphitization processes in Scottish Highlands marbles Sulphur isotope records in Precambrian successions Trace element dynamics in the Bowland Shale Biogeochemical cycling at the Precambrian-Cambrian boundary Labs & Collaborations He leads research in the Geofluids Group and collaborates with the Planetary Sciences Department on Mars analog studies.
Nathan Yee is a Professor at Rutgers University, where he has held academic appointments since 2004. He earned his B.Sc. from McGill University (1997) and Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame (2001), followed by postdoctoral research at the University of Leeds (2001-2003). His career progression includes positions as Assistant Professor (2004-2010), Associate Professor (2010-2016), and full Professor since 2016. Research Focus Yee's research integrates geochemistry and geomicrobiology to study: mineral transformation processes, interactions between metal ions and mineral surfaces, microbial influences on inorganic element cycling, and contaminant behavior in environmental systems. His work combines experimental approaches with modeling to investigate biogeochemical processes relevant to early Earth evolution, microbial metabolism, and environmental remediation. Key themes include biologically catalyzed redox reactions, metal isotope fractionation, and geomicrobial controls on contaminant transport. Publication Trends Yee's recent publications (2021-2025) demonstrate strong emphasis on microbial-metal interactions, isotope geochemistry, and planetary science. Dominant themes include: isotopic tracing of metal cycling (Ni, Cu, Hg), microbial redox transformations of contaminants (Se, Te, U), photochemical processes in early Earth systems, and astrobiological investigations of planetary bodies like Mars and Enceladus. Methodologies frequently combine laboratory experiments with geochemical modeling.
Katrina Eyvindson is an Associate Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Geography and Environment at Western University. Her research focuses on paleolimnology, climate change, and water resource dynamics, with fieldwork in alpine, Arctic, and mountain lake systems. She uses lake sediment records to study long-term environmental changes and human impacts on water quality and quantity. Her research interests include determining historical drought patterns in the western U.S., Arctic environmental change over the Holocene, and water quality dynamics in the Canadian Rockies and Ontario. She teaches courses on paleolimnology and research design. Dr. Eyvindson has supervised numerous graduate students in topics like algal production in mountain lakes, diatom ecology, and fire frequency in the Uinta Mountains. Her publications address climate reconstruction, industrial pollution impacts, and environmental responses to human activity.
Dr. Nicola Allison is a Reader at the University of St Andrews, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, where she leads research on biomineralisation. Her work focuses on how marine organisms form calcium carbonate structures, the impact of environmental changes on these processes, and the role of these biominerals in reconstructing past climates. Her research integrates experimental studies using controlled aquaria systems to culture corals and other organisms, alongside geochemical analyses of fossil carbonates. Key areas include the effects of ocean acidification, rising temperatures, and organic matrices on biomineral formation. She collaborates internationally, including through the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP). Publications highlight advancements in understanding coral skeletal chemistry, aragonite precipitation mechanisms, and the development of climate proxies. She holds grants from NERC, MASTS, and the Leverhulme Trust, supporting projects on coral calcification, biomolecule influences, and climate change impacts. Dr. Allison actively engages in public outreach through workshops and conferences, contributing to climate science communication and policy-relevant research on marine ecosystems.
David A. Foster is a Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Florida, affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. His research integrates thermochronology, structural geology, and petrology to investigate tectonic and magmatic processes, with a recent focus on enhanced weathering of basaltic rocks for carbon sequestration. He leads the Thermochronology Lab, providing analytical services for mineral separation, Ar/Ar dating, and thermal modeling. Research interests span: Tectonics & Geodynamics : Orogenic collapse, terrane accretion, and supercontinent cycles. Thermochronology : Application of temperature-sensitive isotopic systems to crustal evolution. Surface Processes : Links between tectonic uplift, erosion, and carbon capture via rock weathering. His publications emphasize regional tectonics (e.g., Andes, Appalachians, Cordillera), utilizing geochronology, isotope geochemistry, and structural analysis. Recent work explores collisional orogens, basin provenance, and magmatic arcs, with recurring themes of extensional collapse and paleogeographic reconstructions. Educational contributions include co-authoring the comprehensive textbook Geology of National Parks , now in its 8th edition, which synthesizes geological features of U.S. national parks in the context of plate tectonics and landscape formation.
Professor Jochen J. Brocks is a faculty member at the Research School of Earth Sciences (RSES) at the Australian National University (ANU). He holds a PhD in Organic Geochemistry from the University of Sydney (2002) and a Diplom Chemie (~MSc Chemistry) from the University of Freiburg, Germany. His research focuses on Paleobiogeochemistry, using molecular fossils (biomarkers) to study ancient ecosystems and evolutionary processes, including the origin of life and the emergence of complex organisms. He is particularly interested in the conditions that led to the appearance of multicellular life and the role of primary producers in mass extinctions, as well as the potential existence of a 'lost world' of complex life in Earth's early oceans. He previously served as a Junior Fellow of the Harvard Society of Fellows (2001–2004). His research group, Brocks Geobiology, explores topics such as the molecular signatures of early organisms, the geochemical record of ancient oceans, and the preservation mechanisms of organic matter in sedimentary deposits. Brocks collaborates on projects like the biogeochemistry of salt lakes and the analysis of Precambrian rocks to trace microbial diversity. Education: PhD (Organic Geochemistry, University of Sydney, 2002), MSc (Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Germany). His research interests span the intersection of organic geochemistry and paleontology, with a focus on applying biomarker analysis to understand Earth's history. Recent work includes studies on the environmental aftermath of Snowball Earth glaciations, the origins of Dickinsonia as an early animal, and the preservation of ancient biomolecules in extreme conditions like evaporites and concretions. Brocks has contributed to significant debates in the field, such as reinterpreting steroid biomarkers to challenge early animal evolution timelines and identifying novel preservation mechanisms for plant fossils. His work often integrates experimental geochemistry with field studies, particularly in northern Australia and Mauritania, to explore the co-evolution of life and Earth's systems. Awards: Junior Fellow of the Harvard Society of Fellows (2001–2004). He supervises multiple research projects, including those investigating the Velkerri Formation and the McArthur River deposit. Brocks also collaborates on initiatives like the Sedimentary Geochemistry and Paleoenvironments Project, which synthesizes global data to inform Earth history. His lab work emphasizes the development of analytical techniques to distinguish syngenetic biomarkers from contaminants in ancient samples.
