Dr. Bess Ward

Professor

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Biography

Bess B. Ward is the William J. Sinclair Professor of Geosciences at Princeton University and leads the Ward Research Laboratory at the High Meadows Environmental Institute. Her research focuses on the marine global nitrogen cycle, employing molecular biological techniques to explore marine bacteria and their processes, particularly nitrification and denitrification. In addition to her work in various oceanic regions—including the Arabian Sea and Chesapeake Bay—her ongoing research includes studying nitrogen cycling, measuring nitrogen transformation rates using isotope approaches, and investigating phytoplankton functional diversity. Ward is dedicated to understanding the interactions of nitrogen within aquatic systems and the functional guilds of bacteria involved in these cycles. She has contributed significantly to the fields of geochemistry, biogeochemistry, and biological oceanography.

Research Interests

Requirements for Princeton University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE General
TOEFL
Speaking
Required:27
IELTS
Speaking
Required:8
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in engineering or science Strong background in mathematics, materials, physics, or related engineering
Application Checklist
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume/CV
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Transcripts
  • Application Fee
Specialization Notes

GRE scores are not accepted. Ph.D. is the primary degree; students are not required to hold an M.S.E. prior to admission.