Becoming part of Stanford's new school focused on climate and sustainability in Fall 2022

Katharine (Kate) Maher

Professor, Earth System Science
Senior Fellow, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment
Faculty Affiliate, Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI)
Affiliate, Precourt Institute for Energy

Email

kmaher@stanford.edu

Phone

(650) 736-3238

Kate’s research examines the carbon cycle through multiple lenses, from the history of atmospheric carbon dioxide and its impact on the evolution of life to strategies for sequestering carbon today. By combining computer models with field and laboratory measurements, her research links together hydrologic, chemical and biological processes to understand our unique planet. Her current research projects include soil carbon cycling, water quality and carbon dioxide storage in volcanic basins. In 2015, Kate was awarded the James B. Macelwane Medal from the American Geophysical Union; in 2012 she was awarded the Allan Cox Medal for Mentoring of Undergraduate Research. She is also a featured scientist in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History exhibit on Deep Time. Kate was recently selected as a Helmholtz International Fellow and will travel to Germany to conduct research and teach design to scientists.

Highlights

New soil models may ease atmospheric CO2, climate change

An international, interdisciplinary group of scientists propose the creation of new soil carbon-persistence models through the lens of “functional complexity” – the interplay between time and space in soil carbon’s changing molecular structure that drives carbon sequestration.

Environmental Intelligence: Applications of AI to climate change, sustainability and environmental health

Kate Maher writes about how researchers examined AI approaches that could help us save a struggling planet.

Finding lead in turmeric

Some spice processors in Bangladesh use an industrial lead chromate pigment to imbue turmeric with a bright yellow color prized for curries and other traditional dishes, elevating blood lead levels in Bangladeshis.

Geological sciences alumna receives GSA award

Kimberly Lau, PhD '16, has been named the 2019 Doris M. Curtis Outstanding Woman in Science by the Geological Society of America. Lau's award is based on the impact of her dissertation research, which she conducted as an advisee of Jon Payne and Kate Maher.

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