Palaeoenvironment Studies
Marilyn Louise Fogel
As one of the creators of the field of Biogeochemistry, Dr. Fogel revolutionized the use of stable isotopes in ecology, geochemistry, and cosmochemistry. Her research ranged from stable isotope fractionation in photosynthesis, to tracking interactions between environments and humans, to the understanding of cosmochemical processes in meteorites. Her work offered clues into the way extinctions happened and how climate changes over time.
Fogel’s fieldwork took her to locations around the world from the tropics to polar regions, on land and sea, to help her answer questions about Earth’s past, its possible future and biological possibilities on other planets. She collected and analysed fossils that offer clues into the way extinctions happened and how climate changes over time.
Professional Preparation:
- B.S. Biology with honors, The Pennsylvania State University, 1970-1973.
- Ph. D. Botany and Marine Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Marine Science Institute, Port Aransas Marine Laboratory, 1974-1977, Drs. Chase Van Baalen, Patrick Parker, and F. Robert Tabita, Advisors.
- Carnegie Corporation Postdoctoral Fellowship, Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1977- 1979, Dr. Thomas C. Hoering, Advisor.
Professional Appointments:
- Distinguished Professor Emerita of Geo-Ecology; Distinguished Professor Emerita of the Graduate Division; Earth and Planetary Sciences; University of California, Riverside: 2020 - 2022 .
- Wilbur W. Mayhew Chair of Geoecology, Director of the EDGE Institute, Depts. of Earth and Planetary Sciences, and Environmental Science University of California Riverside: 2016-2020.
- Professor, Earth and Environmental Sciences Department, UC Riverside. Director, EDGE Institute (Environmental Dynamics and Geo-Ecology Institute): 2016-2020.
- Chair, Life and Environmental Sciences Group, School of Natural Science, UC Merced: July 2013-June 2014.
- Professor, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, Staff Member, Carnegie Institution of Washington, DC, Geophysical Laboratory: 1979-Dec 2012. Adjunct Staff Member: January 2013 to December 2013.
- Adjunct Professor, University of Delaware College of Marine Studies:1989-2022.
- Director, National Science Foundation, Geobiology and Low-Temperature Geochemistry Program: 2009-2010.
- Visiting Professor, Dept. of Geology, University of Maryland: 2003-2005.
- Research Fellow, Smithsonian Institution, Environmental Research Center: 2003-2009.
- Research Professor, George Washington University, Dept. of Anthropology: 1999-2004.
- Visiting Professor, Dept. of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College:1995.
- Visiting Researcher, Conservation Analytical Laboratory, Smithsonian Institution:1994 to 1999.
- Visiting Staff Member, Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution of Washington:1985-1986.
Selected Publications:
Elliot, E.A., M. D. Fox, M. L. Fogel, S. D. Newsome. 2022. Amino acid δ13C fingerprints of nearshore marine autotrophs are consistent across broad spatiotemporal scales: An intercontinental isotopic dataset and likely biochemical drivers. Functional Ecology doi-10.1111/1365-2435.14017
Fogel, M. L. 2019. My stable isotope journey in biogeochemistry, geoecology, and astrobiology. Geochemical Perspectives 8: 1-282.
Fogel, M. L., P. L. Griffin, S. D. Newsome, 2016. Hydrogen isotopes in individual amino acids reflect differentiated pools of hydrogen from food and water in Escherichia coli. PNAS doi: 10.1073/pnas.1525703113.
Terwilliger V. J., Z. Eshetu, J. R. Disnar, J. Jacob J, W. P. Adderley, Y. Huang, M. Alexandre, M. L. Fogel. 2013. Environmental changes and the rise and fall of civilizations in the northern Horn of Africa: an approach combining δD analyses of land-plant derived fatty acids with multiple proxies in soil. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 111:140-161.
Agee, C. B., N. V. Wilson, F. M. McCubbin, K. Ziegler, V. J. Polyak, Z. D. Sharp, Y. Asmerom, M. H. Nunn, R. Shaheen, M. H. Thiemens, A. Steele, M. L. Fogel, R. Bowden, M. Glamoclija, Z. Zhang, and S. E. Elardo, 2013. Unique meteorite from Early Amazonian Mars: water-rich basaltic breccia Northwest Africa. Science 339: 780-785.
Steele, A., F. M. McCubbin, M. Fries, L. Kater, N. Z. Boctor, M. L. Fogel, P. G. Conrad, M. Glamoclija, M. Spencer, A. L. Morrow, M. R. Hammond, R. N. Zare, E. P Vicenzi, S. Siljestrom, R. Bowden, C. D. K. Herd, B. O. Mysen, S. B. Shirey, H. E. F. Amundsen, A. H. Treiman, E. S. Bullock, A. J. T Jull, 2012. A reduced organic carbon component in martian basalts. Science 337:212-215.
Alexander, C. M. O.’D., R. Bowden, M. L. Fogel, K. T. Howard, C. D. K. Herd, and L. R. Nittler, 2012. The provenances of asteroids, and their contributions to the volatile inventories of the terrestrial planets. Science 337: 721-723.
Miller, G. H., M. L. Fogel, J. W. Magee, M. K. Gagan, S. J. Clarke, and B. J. Johnson, 2005. Ecosystem collapse in Pleistocene Australia and a human role in megafaunal extinction, Science 309: 287-290.
Fogel, M. L. and N. Tuross, 2003. Extending the limits of paleodietary studies of humans with compound specific carbon isotope analysis of amino acids. J. Arch. Sci. 30: 535-545.
Estep, M. Fogel and H. Dabrowski, 1980. Tracing food webs with stable hydrogen isotopes. Science 209: 1537-1538.
Graduate Students and Postdoctorates:
- Mentored 28 postdoctoral fellows; mentored and/or served on University academic committees for 34 graduate students.
Selected Recent Honors:
- Alfred Treibs Medal, Organic Geochemistry Division, Geochemical Society, 2013. The Treibs
Award recognizes major achievements, over a career, in organic geochemistry. - National Academy of Sciences (USA), Primary Section 15, Geology; Secondary Section 63, Environmental Sciences and Ecology; elected 2019, inducted 2022.
- Victor M Goldschmidt Award, 2022 Victor M. Goldschmidt Award. The Goldschmidt Award is the Geochemical Society's highest honor. One award is given each year for major achievements in geochemistry over a career.