January 15, 2025
Paula V. Welander, Professor in the Department of Earth System Science at Stanford University (USA) is the recipient of the 2024 John Hayes Award from the GS. Prof. Welander is also the Associate Dean of Integrative Initiatives (DEI) in the Doerr School of Sustainability and Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs. The award is given to a mid-career scientist for outstanding accomplishments that draw together multiple fields of investigation to advance biogeochemical science. It was created in 2017 by the Organic Geochemistry Division and a group of friends, colleagues, and students of John Hayes. Prof. Welander is recognized for discovering the pervasive role of radical chemistry in the biosynthesis of geostable microbial membrane lipids. The new knowledge generated by her work is fundamental to the use of chemical fossils for reconstructing the history of ocean plankton and their application to climate reconstructions both recent and ancient. The presentation of the award will take place at the IMOG this September.