Dr. Paul G. Falkowski is a preeminent scientist whose pioneering work has transformed our understanding of Earth's interconnected biological and geological systems. He currently serves as a Board of Governors Professor at Rutgers University, holding dual appointments in the Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences and the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, while also directing the Rutgers Energy Institute. Born in 1951 and raised in a New York City Housing Project in Harlem, his scientific journey began with childhood fascination sparked by a fish tank and microscope, leading him to explore the microscopic world of aquatic organisms. He earned his B.S. and M.A. in Biology from the City College of the City University of New York before completing his Ph.D. in Biology at the University of British Columbia in 1975 under Professor F.J.R. Taylor. Dr. Falkowski established his research group at Rutgers University in 1998, building upon his earlier leadership roles at Brookhaven National Laboratory where he served as Group Leader of the Environmental Biophysics and Molecular Biology Program.
Dr. Falkowski's groundbreaking research has fundamentally advanced our understanding of biogeochemical cycles, particularly focusing on photosynthesis and the critical role of phytoplankton in Earth's climate system. His innovative investigations into the coevolution of biological and physical systems have provided essential insights into how microscopic marine organisms transformed Earth's atmosphere and enabled the development of complex life over geological time. He has developed novel instruments and techniques that have revolutionized how scientists study ocean biogeochemical cycles, employing both ship-based measurements and satellite observations to monitor global patterns and processes. This transformative research earned him the prestigious Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement in 2018, often considered the environmental equivalent of the Nobel Prize, for his fundamental contributions to understanding Earth's geochemical processes. With over 350 scientific publications and several influential books to his name, including the acclaimed 'Life's Engines: How Microbes Made Earth Habitable,' his work has been widely recognized for elucidating how microbes created the conditions necessary for habitable planets.
As a distinguished member of the National Academy of Sciences since 2007, Dr. Falkowski has received numerous prestigious honors including the A.G. Huntsman Award for Excellence in Marine Science, the G. Evelyn Hutchinson Award, and the Vladimir Ivanovich Vernadsky Medal from the European Geosciences Union. His leadership extends beyond research as he has mentored generations of scientists and shaped the field through his influential teaching of Earth Systems courses for nearly a decade at Rutgers University. Currently, he is working on a book titled 'From Star Dust to Life,' which explores the integration of geological and biological processes that led to Earth's emergent properties and behaviors for a general audience. Through his role as Director of the Rutgers Energy Institute, he continues to guide critical research on sustainable energy solutions while maintaining his commitment to understanding the fundamental principles that govern life on Earth. Dr. Falkowski's integrative approach to studying Earth as a complex system ensures his enduring influence on environmental science and our understanding of planetary habitability across the cosmos.
