Biography:
Maureen E. Mo Raymo is an American paleoclimatologist and marine geologist. Born in 1959 in Los Angeles, Raymo has made significant contributions to the field of climate science and has been a trailblazer for women in the scientific community. She currently holds several prestigious positions, including serving as the Co-Founding Dean of the Columbia Climate School, the Director of the Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, the G. Unger Vetlesen Professor of Earth & Environmental Sciences, and the Director of the Lamont–Doherty Core Repository at the Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory.
Raymo’s groundbreaking research has focused on understanding ice ages, examining the geologic temperature record, and studying climate change. Throughout her career, she has been at the forefront of examining global cooling and warming as well as transitions in ice age cycles. Her work has laid the foundation for fundamental ideas in paleoceanography, including the uplift weathering hypothesis, the 41,000-year problem, the Pliocene sea-level paradox, and the Lisiecki-Raymo 18O stack.
One of Raymo’s significant accomplishments is her co-development of the uplift-weathering hypothesis alongside William Ruddiman and Philip Froelich. This hypothesis suggests that tectonic uplift, such as the formation of mountain ranges like the Tibetan plateau, contributes to surface cooling. The process of chemical weathering, which occurs during mountain range formation, removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, leading to a decrease in temperature on the ground. Although there is ongoing debate and study surrounding the hypothesis, Raymo’s contributions have been influential in understanding the connection between tectonic uplift and climate change.
Raymo is also known for her interdisciplinary work, particularly in using paleoceanography to gain insights into the thermohaline circulation and the pacing of ice ages over the Pleistocene and Pliocene epochs. By studying changes in orbital forcing and Milankovitch climate dynamics, she has deepened our understanding of the Earth’s climate system.
In 2014, Raymo made history by becoming the first woman to be awarded the Wollaston Medal for geology, an honor that had been awarded for 183 years at that time. Her nomination described her as one of the foremost and influential figures in the last 30 years. This recognition speaks to Raymo’s immense contributions to the field of geology and her impact on the scientific community.
Throughout her career, Raymo has been a champion for women in STEM fields. As the first female climate scientist and the first female head of the Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory, she has broken barriers and paved the way for future generations of women scientists. Her accomplishments serve as an inspiration to women with a passion for science, demonstrating that gender should never be a barrier to success.
Maureen Raymo’s work continues to shape our understanding of climate change and its impact on our planet. Her dedication to scientific inquiry, her groundbreaking research, and her commitment to promoting gender equality in science make her a truly remarkable figure in the field of paleoclimatology and geology.
Awards:
– Wollaston Medal for Geology (2014)