Prof. Mark Marley receives 2026 Gerard P. Kuiper Prize honoring outstanding contributions to the field of planetary science
The Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) has named its prize winners for 2026.
Prof. Mark Marley of the Lunar & Planetary Laboratory at the University of Arizona is the recipient of the 2026 Gerard P. Kuiper Prize honoring outstanding contributions to the field of planetary science.
Dr. Marley is a highly influential and groundbreaking pioneer of exoplanet/brown dwarf atmosphere characterization. His work forms the backbone of multiple subfields, including substellar atmospheres, cloud microphysics, radiative transfer, and the interpretation of brown dwarf and exoplanet spectra. As a pioneering figure who bridged solar system planetary science with the emerging field of exoplanet atmospheres, he helped establish the theoretical and modeling frameworks that underpin today’s exoplanet characterization efforts.
His service to and leadership of the community has been extraordinary, including working as the Director of the University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, service on the Astro2020 and Planetary Science Decadal surveys, heavy involvement in pre-mission studies for the Large Ultraviolet Optical Infrared Surveyor (LUVOIR) and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, and mentoring a plethora of students and early career scientists.
Click here to read more about this year's awards recipients from the AAS.