Donald DePaolo is a distinguished geochemist whose pioneering work has transformed our understanding of Earth's processes through isotopic analysis. He currently serves as Graduate Professor of Geochemistry and Chancellor's Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley, and as Associate Laboratory Director for Energy and Environmental Sciences at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. After earning his B.S. with Honors in Geology from SUNY Binghamton in 1973 and his Ph.D. in Geology from the California Institute of Technology in 1978, DePaolo began his academic career at UCLA before joining UC Berkeley in 1988. During his tenure, he established the Center for Isotope Geochemistry, a joint research facility between UC Berkeley and LBNL, and served as Chair of the Department of Geology and Geophysics from 1990-1993, demonstrating exceptional leadership in academic administration.
Dr. DePaolo pioneered the use of samarium and neodymium isotope ratios to constrain the age and chemical evolution of rocks, developing the widely adopted epsilon notation (ε) during his early career work with advisor Gerald Wasserburg. His groundbreaking research includes the first neodymium isotope measurements on terrestrial igneous rocks, which established fundamental frameworks for understanding Earth's geochemical processes. DePaolo's work has led to significant advances in using various isotope systems to quantify continental weathering, elemental seawater budgets through geologic time, and fluid-rock interactions, with applications spanning from volcanic processes to groundwater systems. As principal investigator of the Hawaii Scientific Drilling Project, he determined the geochemical structure of the Hawaiian mantle plume, providing crucial insights into deep Earth processes that have reshaped our understanding of mantle dynamics.
Beyond his research contributions, DePaolo has mentored over forty graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who have gone on to successful careers in academia, industry, and government, cementing his legacy as an educator and mentor. His leadership extends to directing major research initiatives, including the Center for Nanoscale Controls of Geologic CO2, a DOE Energy Frontier Research Center funded from 2009-2018. Recognized with numerous prestigious honors including election to the National Academy of Sciences and receipt of the Harry H. Hess Medal, DePaolo continues to shape the field of geochemistry through his innovative work on stable isotope partitioning during mineral growth. His current research provides critical frameworks for understanding environmental processes with implications for climate science and carbon sequestration, ensuring his continued influence on both fundamental Earth science and applied environmental challenges.
