Dr. Daniel Jacob

Biography

Daniel Jacob is a leading expert in atmospheric chemistry and environmental engineering, focusing on the interactions between human activities and climate. He received his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the École Supérieure de Physique et Chimie in 1981 and his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from California Institute of Technology in 1985. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University, he joined the faculty in 1987. Over the course of his career, Jacob has trained 120 Ph.D. students and postdocs, earning recognition as one of the most-cited environmental scientists globally. His research utilizes advanced satellite platforms and atmospheric models to decipher the chemical composition of the atmosphere and its implications on climate and life on Earth. Aside from his academic roles, Jacob has contributed significantly to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as a lead author and review editor. He has also been extensively involved with NASA's Earth Science Division, serving as a mission scientist and participating in atmospheric aircraft campaigns and the Earth-observing satellites science team. His research interests span atmospheric methane measurement, the use of inverse methods for emission inference, and air quality's impact on climate change.

Research Interests