Dr. Robert Miller Hazen is a distinguished mineralogist and astrobiologist whose pioneering work has transformed our understanding of Earth's mineralogical history and its connection to the origins of life. He currently serves as Senior Staff Scientist at the Carnegie Institution's Earth and Planets Laboratory and is Clarence Robinson Professor of Earth Sciences, Emeritus, at George Mason University (tenure: 1990–present, currently emeritus status). Born in Rockville Centre, New York, on November 1, 1948, Hazen developed an early passion for mineral collecting that was nurtured by his eighth-grade teacher who provided him with a starter collection and field guides to mineral-rich areas. His career began with research on crystal structure and physical properties from 1971 to 1999, during which he developed innovative high-pressure and high-temperature X-ray diffraction techniques. Later, in 1996, he redirected his research focus to investigate the critical roles minerals may have played in the emergence of life, marking a significant evolution in his scientific journey.
Hazen led the Carnegie team that first isolated and identified several new high-temperature superconductor structure types, documented in influential works such as Breakthrough: The Race for the Superconductor. His most transformative contribution came with the development of the concept of mineral evolution, which proposes that Earth's mineral diversity has evolved through ten distinct stages over cosmic and planetary time, fundamentally changing how scientists view Earth's history. As Principal Investigator and Director of the Deep Carbon Observatory from 2008 to 2019, he coordinated an international effort involving over 1,200 scientists from 55 countries to investigate Earth's deep carbon cycle, with total funding exceeding $500 million. This groundbreaking initiative revealed the hidden 90% of Earth's carbon that exists beyond the atmosphere, oceans, and shallow crust, transforming our understanding of carbon's role in Earth's interior. His experimental work demonstrating mineral-catalyzed production of ammonia from nitrogen gas and formation of key biomolecules has provided crucial insights into how minerals may have facilitated the emergence of life through hydrothermal processes.
Hazen has authored over 400 scientific articles and 25 books that have significantly shaped discourse in mineralogy and astrobiology, including influential works like The New Alchemists and The Diamond Makers. His concept of mineral evolution has opened entirely new research avenues at the intersection of mineralogy, biology, and planetary science, inspiring scientists to consider the co-evolution of Earth's geosphere and biosphere. Beyond his research, Hazen has made substantial contributions as an educator and science communicator, effectively translating complex scientific concepts for broader audiences through numerous writings and public lectures. Although he retired from a 40-year parallel career as a professional trumpeter in 2016, Hazen remains actively engaged in scientific research as Clarence Robinson Professor of Earth Sciences, Emeritus, at George Mason University, currently developing An Evolutionary System of Mineralogy and exploring how mineral diversity informs the search for extraterrestrial life. His ongoing work continues to advance our understanding of Earth's history and the potential for life elsewhere in the universe through the lens of mineral evolution and diversity.
