University of Arizona professor Scott Saleska elected AGU Fellow
Dr. Scott Saleska, professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Arizona, has been elected a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), one of the most prestigious honors in the Earth and space sciences.
Saleska was nominated as a fellow for fundamental discoveries in the global ecology of carbon cycling in climate-critical ecosystems; creative innovation in methods that enabled such discoveries; and exemplary leadership in promulgating AGU values through commitment to inclusive international mentorship and bringing science to public policy.
“I am honored and humbled to become an AGU fellow, and especially grateful to my students and collaborators who have made the science that is honored by this award possible," said Saleska. "I am grateful for support from the scientific community of my department and University, and inspired by AGU’s vision of scientific excellence grounded in a welcoming and diverse community of scientists."
Saleska, a global change ecologist, is recognized for his pioneering work exploring how living communities, from trees and forests to microscopic microbes, shape the Earth’s climate. His research focuses on climate-critical ecosystems from Amazon forests of South America to thawing permafrost peatlands in Arctic Sweden. He investigates one of the greatest scientific challenges of our time: understanding how ecosystems respond to climate change and, in turn, how those responses influence the future of the planet.
At the core of Saleska’s work is a question: How does the structure, function and diversity of terrestrial vegetation and microbial communities regulate large-scale biogeochemical processes? His research group addresses this by bridging scales, from the biology of individual leaves or microbes to the dynamics of entire ecosystems. To do so, they integrate tools from ecophysiology, micrometeorology, atmospheric science, and remote sensing, along with cutting-edge approaches in microbial meta-omics and bioinformatics.
"Scott embodies the value of true interdisciplinary research: he brings together knowledge, technology, and team members from multiple fields to answer some of the most important questions about our changing climate… from the arctic to the Amazon," said Dr. Mike Worobey, head of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at U of A. "It is wonderful to see his accomplishments recognized with such a prestigious honor."
The American Geophysical Union confers Fellowship status on fewer than 0.1% of its members each year, honoring individuals who have made exceptional contributions to earth and space sciences. Fellows are recognized not only for advancing scientific discovery but also for improving society’s ability to respond to pressing global challenges.
AGU Fellows are part of a global community whose work has transformed understanding of the planet, impacted everyday life, and contributed solutions to some of society’s most urgent problems.
To learn more about Dr. Saleska and his research, click here.