Dr. John Eiler

Biography

John M. Eiler is the Robert P. Sharp Professor at the California Institute of Technology, within the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences. He holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa (1989), a Master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1991), and a Ph.D. (1994). He began his academic career at Caltech as a Research Fellow from 1994 to 1997, followed by a Senior Research Fellow until 1998. John then served as an Assistant Professor (1998-2003) and progressed through the ranks to Associate Professor (2003-2006) and Professor (2006-2008). Currently, Eiler holds the position of Division Chair, effective 2024, and serves as the Jenkins Leadership Chair starting 2024. His research primarily focuses on isotope geochemistry, including the study of light elements (H, C, N, O, S) and their applications in understanding the origin and evolution of igneous rocks and meteorites, planetary atmospheres, and environmental chemistry. Eiler's innovative work on stable isotope thermometers provides critical insights into paleoclimate research, particularly in determining thermal histories of geologic formations. He is actively involved in teaching advanced topics in stable isotope geochemistry and has designed courses that encourage student participation and in-depth discussions on important concepts within the field.

Research Interests