Letter from the Head of Department, Rob van der Hilst.
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Articles
Life on Earth emerged over 3.5 billion years ago, yet we still search for answers to the most basic questions about the origins and evolution of life—but, through interdisciplinary research, EAPS scientists are making new discoveries every day.
Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences faculty continue to earn numerous awards and honors, in recognition of their leadership in their respective fields
EAPS is delighted to introduce four new members of faculty: Ruben Juanes, and Tim Cronin who are already here; and Andrew Babbin, and Matej Pec who join the department in January 2017.
The stability of life on Earth depends on the biogeochemical cycles of carbon and other essential elements, which in turn depend on microbial ecosystems which are, at present, poorly understood. EAPS Professor Daniel Rothman has a plan for a major new research program aimed at gauging the potential for another mass extinction event, like the end-Permian Great Dying.
Mick Follows and Stephanie Dutkiewicz's research lives at the intersection of ocean fieldwork and advances in computer modeling, seeking to understand how the ocean's ecosystems of phytoplankton interact with each other -- and our climate.
Simons Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow Alexandria Johnson is studying exoplanet clouds, not through a telescope, rather under a microscope in the Cziczo Lab.
Julien de Wit is a Postdoctoral Associate working in the Seager Group. As Julien puts it, his primary interest and expertise lies, “in the field of data science where math and science are brought together to make sense of newly accessible pieces of reality!”
The Bosak Lab integrates microbiology, sedimentology, and stable isotope geochemistry into experimental geobiology, seeking to answer questions about early forms of life and their habitats.
Twenty-one percent of the air we breathe is made up of molecular oxygen, but it was not always in such ample, life-sustaining supply. A new study by EAPS scientists pinpoints the timing of oxygen’s emergence in Earth’s atmosphere.
Using genomic data taken from living organisms, graduate student Danielle Gruen and members of the Fournier Lab are developing tools to link early Earth geochemistry with the emergence and evolution of microbial life, revealing the timeline of the earliest branches of the Tree of Life.
Meet Josimar, Alissa, Christine, and Evan: Four EAPS graduate students digging deep into Earth, Planets, Climate, and Life.
As a leader and mentor, Professor Toksöz has had a far-reaching influence on applied geophysics, and whose former students include a “who’s who” in the field, in both industry and academia.
Peter Hurley ’68 (XV) and his wife Marty Hurley have been planning for a long time to donate to MIT. Now retired, they decided to carry out their long-held philanthropic goal of honoring Peter’s father, geology Professor Patrick M. Hurley, by supporting EAPS graduate students in his name.
Alumna Anita Killian establishes a fund for a new EAPS advocacy group.
Robert C. (Bob) Cowen ‘49 (XIX), SM ‘50 (XIX), a science journalist and editor for the Christian Science Monitor for six decades, is one of our newest EAPS Patrons, having made a generous gift to the Sven Treitel ‘53 Graduate Student Support Fund.
Made possible by a generous gift, a new, permanent exhibit will be unveiled in December, honoring the life and achievements of Pauline M. Austin, PhD ‘42, who served as Director of MIT’s Weather Radar Lab for over 25 years.
For further information on giving opportunities or creating a named fund to benefit the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, please contact:
Megan Cokely
Senior Development Officer
Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences at MIT
mecokely@mit.edu
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