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.
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in LausanneSwitzerland
Marie Violay is an Associate Professor at the Laboratory of Experimental Rock Mechanics (LEMR) within the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC) at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). She also contributes to teaching and PhD program committees across multiple EPFL divisions. Specializes in rock mechanics, earthquake dynamics, and hydro-mechanical couplings Leads experimental studies on fluid-induced seismicity and reservoir deformation Research Focus : Investigates how pore fluid pressure variations affect rock strength, fault behavior, and permeability evolution. Her work spans from brittle fracture mechanics to ductile deformation processes under geothermal conditions, with applications to carbon storage, earthquake mitigation, and volcanic hazard assessment. Article Trends : Her recent publications examine stress biaxiality effects on fracture energy (2025), alteration impacts on geothermal reservoirs (2025), permeability changes in volcanic rocks (2024), and fundamental studies of water weakening mechanisms in sedimentary rocks (2024-2021). The work combines laboratory experiments, microstructural analysis, and numerical modeling. Labs & Collaborations : Coordinates the LEMR laboratory at EPFL. Collaborates with European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Freie Universität Berlin, and industry partners like Emch&Berger AG. Leads PhD committee work in the EDME Doctoral School .
Jonathan Snow is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Geology and Geophysics at Louisiana State University (LSU), College of Science. Previously, he held faculty positions at the University of Houston, including roles as Assistant Professor (2005–2008), Associate Professor (2008–2014), and Professor (2014–2019), and served as President of the Faculty Senate (2016). His academic journey includes a Bachelor’s in Geology from Indiana University (1983), Master’s from the University of Rochester (1986), PhD in Oceanography from MIT/WHOI (1993), and a Habilitation in Mineralogy from Universitat Mainz, Germany. Research interests focus on the Earth’s lithosphere formation, mantle melting processes, and oceanic crustal accretion. Key areas include mid-ocean ridge basalt petrogenesis, mantle noble metal geochemistry (Os, Re), and tectonics of fracture zones. Notable contributions include studies on the Arctic Ocean’s Gakkel and Lena Troughs, Hess Deep, and Shikoku Basin oceanic core complexes. Professional recognitions include NSF Graduate Fellowship (USA), Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellowship (Germany), DFG Heisenberg Program (Germany), and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Fellowships. His work integrates field expeditions (e.g., ARKTIS cruises), laboratory geochemistry, and computational models to advance understanding of mantle dynamics and crustal evolution.
Carol Smith is an Associate Professor in the Department of Soil & Physical Sciences at Lincoln University, New Zealand, where she serves as Head of Department since 2017. She has been an elected academic staff member of the Lincoln University Council from 2018-2022. Dr. Smith holds a PhD from the University of Aberdeen, an MSc from the University of Reading, and a BSc(Hons) from the University of Portsmouth, forming the foundation of her expertise in soil science and physical geography. Her research spans both fundamental and applied aspects of pedology. On the fundamental side, she investigates Quaternary pedology and paleoenvironmental reconstruction using loess stratigraphy, geomorphology, and micromorphology, which provides critical data for verifying future climate change predictive models. Applied research focuses on sustainable use of recycled organic matter and rehabilitation of degraded soils. She collaborates internationally on multidisciplinary projects involving paleoclimate reconstruction, paleoliquefaction, Antarctic soils, and viticulture. Dr. Smith is passionate about teaching and science communication, employing experiential learning methods to develop practical field skills in soil science through 'soil judging competitions' in New Zealand and Australia. Her research addresses UN Sustainable Development Goals including Life on Land (15), Climate Action (13), and Quality Education (4). Among her notable recognitions are the Norman H Taylor Memorial award 2020 from the New Zealand Society of Soil Science for outstanding contributions to soil science in New Zealand and Fellowship in the Royal Geographical Society, London. She serves as Associate Editor of Natural Sciences Education and was previously editor of Quaternary Australasia. Dr. Smith has supervised numerous graduate students through research-based supervision, with completed projects covering diverse topics from soil patterns in Southland to Antarctic soil ecology. She teaches advanced courses in field research, soil science, and physical landscapes, and has developed innovative approaches to teaching during the pandemic, including virtual field trips.
Denis Fougerouse is a Senior Lecturer at Curtin University’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS), specializing in structural and economic geology with a focus on nanogeoscience and advanced characterization techniques. He leads research using atom probe tomography (APT) to study mineral interfaces, fluid dynamics, and critical metal distribution. His work spans asteroid mineralogy (e.g., Ryugu samples), ore genesis, and nuclear geology (e.g., Chernobyl zircon re-equilibration). Fougerouse is a key member of Curtin’s Geoscience Atom Probe Facility, advancing applications of APT in geosciences. Research interests include gold remobilization mechanisms, sulfide chemistry, and shock metamorphism. He has contributed to landmark studies on pyrite microtextures, xenotime geochronology, and nanoparticle transport in gold deposits. Fougerouse’s awards include the 2024 Mineralogical Society of America Award for pioneering nanoscale mineral analysis. His interdisciplinary collaborations span planetary science, environmental geochemistry, and materials science, reflecting his role at the forefront of geoscience innovation.
Dr. John Francis Clinton is the Director of Seismic Networks and Head of the Earthquake Monitoring Section at the Swiss Seismological Service (SED), ETH Zurich. He leads the Marsquake Service for NASA's InSight mission and oversees Switzerland's broadband and strong-motion seismic networks. His expertise spans earthquake early warning systems, seismic instrumentation, and glacial seismology. Clinton is also a Co-Investigator on the Mars InSight mission and involved in international projects like EPOS and RAMSIS. Education PhD in Civil Engineering (Minor in Geophysics), California Institute of Technology (2004) MSc in Civil Engineering, California Institute of Technology (1998) BEng in Civil Engineering, University College Dublin (1997) Research Interests Dr. Clinton focuses on real-time seismology, seismic instrument design, structural health monitoring, and glacial seismology. His work bridges engineering applications with geophysical data analysis, particularly in earthquake early warning systems and induced seismicity studies. He collaborates internationally on projects such as the Valais Near Fault Observatory and Nicaragua’s Earthquake Early Warning development. Publications Overview His 15 most recent papers (2011–2015) highlight advancements in seismic network optimization, Marsquake detection algorithms, and glacial icequake mechanisms. Key themes include improving early warning accuracy, understanding subglacial dynamics, and validating high-rate GPS for structural monitoring. Awards & Memberships Member, Swiss Academy of Sciences (since 2008) Member, IRIS Quality Assurance Advisory Committee (since 2013) Chair, European Integrated Data Archives (EIDA) (2013–2015) Labs & Teams Clinton directs the SED’s Earthquake Monitoring team and collaborates with ETH Zurich’s Geophysics Masters Program. His group manages Switzerland’s seismic networks and leads the Marsquake Service, which analyzes InSight lander data for Martian seismic events.
Yehuda Ben-Zion is a Professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC), affiliated with the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. He serves as Director of the Statewide California Earthquake Center (SCEC). His expertise lies in geophysics and seismology, with a focus on earthquake mechanics, fault dynamics, and seismic hazard assessment. He holds a Ph.D. in Geophysics and Seismology from USC (1990) and a B.S. in Geology and Physics from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1982). Research interests include physics of earthquakes and faults, high-resolution fault zone imaging, earthquake source properties, and dynamic rupture processes. Recent work emphasizes multi-scale modeling of rupture zones, seismic velocity monitoring using anthropogenic signals (e.g., train tremors), and probabilistic seismic hazard analysis frameworks like CyberShake. He leads projects such as Quakeworx, an open-source earthquake simulation platform, and investigates fault zone architecture in regions like the San Andreas, San Jacinto, and Marmara faults. His studies address critical questions about large earthquake mechanisms, ground motion prediction, and the interplay between tectonic stress and seismicity patterns. He has pioneered the use of dense seismic arrays and machine learning to analyze seismic data, advancing understanding of fault zone processes and their implications for hazard mitigation.
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)United States
Paul D. Asimow is the Eleanor and John R. McMillan Professor of Geology and Geochemistry at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), part of the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences. He holds a B.A. from Harvard University (1991), an M.S. (1993), and a Ph.D. (1997) from Caltech. His career progression includes roles as Assistant Professor (1999–2005), Associate Professor (2005–2010), and Professor (2010–present), with the McMillan Professorship since 2016. Education: A.B. in Geology, Harvard University, 1991 M.S. in Geology, Caltech, 1993 Ph.D. in Geology, Caltech, 1997 Research Interests: Focuses on computational, experimental, and observational approaches to igneous petrology and mineral physics. Key areas include adiabatic mantle melting, water's role in mantle dynamics, high-pressure mineral physics, and processes at mid-ocean ridges. His research utilizes advanced facilities like the Lindhurst Laboratory of Experimental Geophysics and the alphaMELTS software package for thermodynamic modeling. Articles Overview: Recent work spans planetary crust formation, Martian petrogenesis, and high-pressure mineral behavior. Themes include experimental techniques, computational modeling, and cosmochemical studies of meteorites. Awards and Honors: James B. Macelwane Medal (AGU) Frank Wigglesworth Clarke Medal (Geochemical Society) Richard P. Feynman Prize for Teaching Excellence (Caltech) Fellow of the American Geophysical Union Fellow of the Mineralogical Society of America Grants and Labs: Received NSF funding for developing an interactive phase equilibria curriculum. Leads the Lindhurst Laboratory, focusing on shock-wave experiments and high-pressure mineral physics. Collaborates on software tools like alphaMELTS and MAGMASOURCE. Labs and Teams: Active in the Caltech Shock Wave Laboratory, advancing experimental methods for planetary material studies. Engages in interdisciplinary projects on Mars geology and terrestrial planet formation.
Jeroen Tromp serves as the Blair Professor of Geology and Professor of Geosciences and Applied and Computational Mathematics at Princeton University, where he also directs the Princeton Institute for Computational Science and Engineering (PICSciE). His work centers on theoretical and computational seismology with applications across Earth and planetary sciences. His research interests focus on imaging Earth's interior through advanced computational techniques. Key areas include surface waves, free oscillations, body waves, seismic tomography, numerical simulations of 3-D wave propagation, and seismic hazard assessment. His group develops open-source software for acoustic, elastic and poroelastic wave propagation, addressing problems in exploration geophysics, regional and global seismology, and helioseismology. Current research trends show strong emphasis on Mars seismology (InSight mission), iron spin crossover in the lower mantle, tilted transverse isotropy in Earth's inner core, and crosstalk-free waveform inversion techniques across multiple scales. Tromp actively mentors graduate students and leads collaborative projects involving seismic wavefield imaging across planetary bodies. His group maintains strong connections with NASA's InSight mission and develops computational frameworks for global centroid moment tensor inversions. The research team operates within the Department of Geosciences, leveraging high-performance computing resources through PICSciE to tackle large-scale inverse problems in seismology.
Angelo Peccerillo is a distinguished Full Professor of Petrology at the University of Perugia, Italy, with an extensive academic career spanning multiple Italian universities. He previously served as Full Professor of Petrology at the Universities of Calabria (1993-1997) and Messina (1985-1993), and as Associate Professor of Volcanology (1982-1985) and Assistant Professor (1971-1982) at the University of Florence. He earned his Laurea Degree in Geology from the University of Florence in 1970 and has been a member of Academia Europaea since his election. Peccerillo's research focuses on the petrology and geochemistry of magmatic processes, with particular expertise in igneous petrology, geochemistry, volcanology, orogenic volcanism, and continental rift magmatism. His scholarly work has established him as a leading expert in understanding the complex relationships between mantle processes, crustal interactions, and volcanic activity in the Mediterranean region and beyond. His research methodology integrates petrological, geochemical, and geophysical approaches to develop comprehensive models of magmatic systems. Analysis of Peccerillo's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on magmatic processes across diverse geological settings. His work spans from detailed studies of specific volcanic systems like the Aeolian Islands and Ethiopian Rift to broader investigations of mantle structure and geodynamic processes in the Mediterranean region. A recurring theme is the integration of multiple analytical approaches to model magma plumbing systems, understand mantle composition, and elucidate the geodynamic evolution of volcanic regions, particularly examining the relationships between deep and shallow mantle processes. Antonio Feltrinelli Price 2006 for Earth Sciences, awarded by the National Academy of Lincei, Italy Professor Peccerillo has supervised numerous MSc and PhD students both at his home institution and abroad. His editorial leadership includes serving as Chief Editor of the "European Journal of Mineralogy" from 2006 to 2008 and membership on the editorial boards of several prestigious journals including "Lithos," "Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research," "Geological Society of Italy Bulletin," and "Open Mineralogy Journal." He has been actively involved in research evaluation, serving on national and international panels for organizations such as NSF, ESF, CNR, MIUR, and NATO. Peccerillo maintains strong international scientific connections through visiting positions at institutions like the Australian National University, University of Gottingen, and University of Paris XI at Orsay. His leadership extends to professional organizations, having served as President of the Italian Petrology Group and currently as a Member of Academia Europaea. His administrative experience includes serving as Department Head and Coordinator of PhD programs at the Universities of Messina, Cosenza, and Perugia.
Christopher D.P. Baxter is a Professor and Department Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the College of Engineering, University of Rhode Island , with expertise in geotechnical engineering, offshore wind energy, and coastal resilience. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech (1999), an M.S. from Purdue University (1994), and a B.S. from Tufts University (1990). Research Focus: Geotechnical characterization of marine sediments, liquefaction resistance analysis, fiber-optic sensing for infrastructure monitoring, and coastal protection systems. Recent Publications: 15+ articles (2011–2025) covering topics like shear wave velocity, offshore wind foundation dynamics, and tsunami hazard modeling. Grants: Led projects on offshore wind monitoring (2019–2024) and fiber-optic seismic sensing (2021–2023). Key Collaborations: Work with teams on submarine landslide analysis, coastal dune reinforcement, and Rhode Island infrastructure resilience. His work bridges experimental geomechanics with practical coastal engineering solutions.
Tom Veldkamp is a Professor and Rector Magnificus at the University of Twente. His research focuses on Quaternary geology, geomorphology, and coupled human-ecological systems. He has supervised 32 PhD theses and currently advises 2 ongoing projects. His fieldwork spans over 30 countries, including Indonesia, Turkey, and Rwanda. Editorial Roles: Editor-in-Chief of Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment , former editorial roles at Landscape Ecology , Ecosystems , and others. Research Themes: Land use change modeling, soil dynamics, and sustainable development. Key regions of study include Sundaland (Indonesia), Mediterranean landscapes, and Rwanda. Recent Contributions: Over 230 publications, including landmark studies on hominin fossils in Java and landscape evolution models. His work addresses global challenges like environmental sustainability and land-use transitions, with a focus on integrating natural and social sciences.
Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff (1852–1911) was a Dutch chemist and the first Nobel Prize laureate in Chemistry (1901). He served as a Professor of Chemistry, Mineralogy, and Geology at the University of Amsterdam (1878–1896) and later at the Prussian Academy of Sciences in Berlin (1896–1911). His groundbreaking contributions include the foundation of stereochemistry (tetrahedral carbon atom theory), laws of chemical dynamics, and osmotic pressure in solutions. His work laid the groundwork for physical chemistry and influenced fields like thermodynamics and chemical equilibrium. Education: Studied at Delft Polytechnic (1871), Leiden University, and obtained his PhD from Utrecht University (1874). His research spanned molecular structure, chemical equilibria, and the Van 't Hoff-Le Chatelier principle. Awards include the Nobel Prize and membership in the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. His legacy is honored through institutions like the Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences at Utrecht University and a monument in Rotterdam. Key works include studies on stereochemistry and solutions, revolutionizing understanding of molecular behavior and solution dynamics.
John H. Shaw is the Harry C. Dudley Professor of Structural and Economic Geology and Professor of Environmental Science & Engineering at Harvard University's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). He specializes in structural geology, earthquake hazards, and geomechanics, with a focus on thrust fault systems, fault-related folding, and seismic risk assessment in regions like California and China. His research integrates field observations, 3D modeling, and geomechanical simulations to understand fault dynamics and their implications for societal safety. Shaw's work emphasizes quantitative analysis of fault geometry, slip rates, and rupture processes. Key projects include modeling ground deformation during earthquakes, assessing seismic hazards in fold-thrust belts, and investigating reservoir-induced seismicity. He leads the Structural Geology & Earth Resources Group and contributes to collaborative initiatives like the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC). His articles highlight advancements in fault system modeling, including 3D structural reconstructions, distinct element method applications, and coupling geomechanical models with fluid flow simulations. Recent studies focus on the Wilmington blind-thrust fault beneath Los Angeles, the Ventura fault system, and tectonic evolution of the Canadian Rockies and Qaidam Basin. Shaw's research also addresses interdisciplinary challenges such as stochastic velocity modeling for earthquake ground motion prediction and developing open-source tools like the SCEC Unified Community Velocity Model (UCVM). His work bridges fundamental structural geology with applied seismic hazard mitigation strategies.
Robert M. Holt is a Professor in the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering at the University of Mississippi. His research focuses on geological CO2 sequestration, fluid transport in porous media, and hydrogeological characterization for nuclear waste disposal. Holt investigates how fluid behavior in heterogeneous geological formations impacts environmental processes ranging from carbon storage to groundwater contamination. His work examines the fundamental physics governing multiphase flow through porous and fractured geological media, with applications to contaminant transport, energy resources, and waste isolation. Holt has developed experimental methods for visualizing and modeling fluid behavior in heterogeneous subsurface environments, improving understanding of capillary processes and flow dynamics. Holt's research includes field studies of evaporite karst systems, geochemical assessments of aquifer systems, and investigations of hydraulic properties in low-permeability mudrocks. His work on CO2 injection monitoring has contributed to safer implementation of carbon sequestration technologies.
