Professor Jill Banfield receives H.C. Urey Award

June 26, 2020
Portrait of Jill Banfield

Congratulations to Jill Banfield, a professor in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, on receiving the 2020 Harold Urey Award from the European Association of Geochemistry (EAG). The award recognizes scientists for outstanding contributions to the advancement of geochemistry over a career.

Banfield is a pioneer in the field of geobiology, using scientific approaches from earth sciences and microbiology to understand how microbiota interactions help shape the planet’s geochemistry. Her research focuses on developing models of ecosystem functions and the interactions between microbial communities and watersheds. In addition, her lab conducts research into bioremediation, microbial community response to global climate, nanogeoscience, and other areas.

The award is named for Harold Clayton Urey, a Nobel Prize-winning physical chemist who pioneered research on isotopes and later developed theories of planetary evolution. To read more about Banfield and the Award, visit the EAG website.