Dr. Donald Depaolo

Biography

Don DePaolo has been a prominent figure in the fields of Earth and Planetary Science at the University of California, Berkeley, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory since 1988. He serves as the Director of the Center for Isotope Geochemistry and holds the Class of 1951 Chair in geochemistry. Throughout his academic career, he has mentored over 40 graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom have embarked on successful careers in academia, industry, and government. DePaolo also plays a significant administrative role at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he has served as the Associate Laboratory Director for multiple divisions focusing on Earth Sciences and Energy Sciences. His research interests include the understanding of isotopic element fractionation in minerals, the measurement of past environmental conditions through isotopic analysis of oceans and atmospheres, and the study of volcanic processes and mantle plume origins. DePaolo employs advanced mass spectrometry and radiogenic isotope geochemistry techniques to tackle fundamental geological problems, contributing valuable insights into the dynamics of Earth systems.

Research Interests