Daly Postdoctoral Fellows

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Harvard University invites applicants for the Reginald A. Daly Postdoctoral Research Fellowship every January. The Department seeks outstanding candidates in the broad field of Earth and Planetary Sciences. We encourage applications of candidates pursuing field observations, lab-based science, and theory, and interested in geology, geochemistry, ocean, atmosphere and climate dynamics and chemistry, seismology, geophysics, planetary sciences, and other related fields. These honorific postdoctoral fellowships are awarded for a one-year period, with an anticipated extension for a second year. Daly fellows carry out independent research, yet are encouraged to interact with one or more research groups in the department. Potenetial applicants are welcome to contact members of the department before applying. The next application deadline is January 15, 2009. Applications will be accepted on-line (details to follow). Applications should include a curriculum vitae, names and affiliation of three referees, a one page statement of the applicant's doctoral research, and a one to two page postdoctoral research proposal. Applicants are responsible for contacting the referees to have their letters emailed directly to dalypostdoc@eps.harvard.edu by the January 15th deadline.

William Boos Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science, December 2007 Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 2008 Fellow	Dr. Boos studies the physical processes responsible for variations in tropical climate over a broad range of time scales, using theory, numerical models, and observational analyses. His doctoral research focused on understanding why the circulation in a rotating fluid in which water undergoes phase changes can intensify abruptly as a heating is slowly increased, with the motivation of understanding the abrupt onset of monsoon circulations in South Asia. Currently, he is studying the physics of a dominant type of variability in monsoon climates that produces excess or deficient rainfall on time scales of several weeks. He is more broadly interested in the interaction of moist convection and cloudiness with the large-scale atmospheric circulation, and in how this circulation might differ in past and future climates.

Matija Cuk Ph.D. Astronomy & Space Sciences, Cornell U., 2005 2008 Fellow	Dr. Cuk's interests lie mostly in the field of planetary dynamics, both in our and other solar systems. Presently, he is exploring the dynamical history of the Earth-Moon system, with the particular focus on the Lunar Cataclysm (an episode of intense impact cratering of the Moon 3.9 billion years ago). His other research topics include the interactions between planetary migration and orbital resonances during the early history of planetary systems, and the effects of absorption and re-radiation of sunlight on the orbits and spins of small asteroids and their satellites.

Giampiero Iaffaldano Ph.D. Geophysics, LMU Munich, 2007 2007 Daly Fellow	Giampiero Iaffaldano's research aims at a detailed understanding of the magnitude and spatial distribution of driving and resisting forces in Plate Tectonics, for which he uses numerical simulations of global lithosphere dynamics performed in conjunction with 3-D mantle circulation models. Past and present reconstructions of global plate motions represent a most important constraint to such models. Recent work focused on the tectonic balance at the boundary between Nazca and South America plates over the past 10 m.y., which reveals in a variety of apparently unrelated observables such as the record of convergent motion, gravity as well as bathymetry variations along the margin.

Taylor Perron Ph.D., Earth & Planetary Science, Berkeley, 2006 2006 Daly Fellow	Dr. Perron studies the evolution of landscapes through a combination of field observations, numerical modeling, and cosmogenic nuclide measurements of long-term erosion rates. His PhD focused on the origin of spatially periodic landforms, such as evenly spaced ridges and valleys, and the ways in which these characteristic length scales in landscapes record the relative rates of different erosion processes. In addition to landscapes on Earth, Dr. Perron uses field analogs and spacecraft data to study the surfaces of other solar system bodies. Recent projects have focused on the history of water on Mars and the origin of landforms on Titan (Saturn's largest moon).

Eric Dunham Ph.D. Physics UCSB, 2005 2005 Daly Fellow	Dr. Dunham continues to work as a Research Associate at Harvard University. Dr. Dunham studies the connection between earthquake source physics and strong ground motion. This involves developing analytical and numerical models to explore the behavior of propagating ruptures. Previous work focused on the influence of rupture velocity, in particular velocities exceeding the shear-wave speed, on the character of seismic-wave radiation in the vicinity of faults. Current interests focus on the conditions that give rise to such supershear earthquakes.

Dylan Millet Phd Atmospheric Chemistry Berkeley 2004 2004 Fellow	Dylan Millet is presently a member of the faculty at the University of Minnesota. His research deals with atmospheric organic chemistry and the links to climate and air quality. His work combines in situ and remote measurements with modeling to understand how human activities and natural processes interact to determine the chemical properties of the atmosphere. Dylan may be contacted by email at dbm@umn.edu.

Helge Gonnermann Ph.D. Geophysics University of California, Berkeley, 2004 2004 Daly Fellow	Dr. Gonnermann's primary research interest lies in the physics of magmatic and geodynamic processes. His recent work focuses on the dynamics of magma ascent, especially magma degassing, bubble nucleation and growth, as well as magma fragmentation. His approach to these problems includes field observations, the analysis of rock samples and numerical modeling. Dr. Gonnermann also works on problems related to Earth's deep interior. Particularly he is interested in the geochemical, thermal and volatile evolution of the Earth. He investigates the effects of chemical stratification and mixing of the Earths mantle, including processing and outgassing at mid-ocean ridges and hotspots. This research combines analog fluid dynamics experiments and computer modeling. Dr. Gonnerman is a Young Investigator at the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawaii, Manoa, and starting January 2009 he will be an assistant professor at Rice University, Texas. He may be contacted at helge@hawaii.edu and his web site is http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/SYI/helge.

Brendan Meade Ph.D. Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, MIT, 2004 2003 Daly Fellow	Dr. Meade is presently a member of the faculty at the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Harvard University. His primary research interests lie in understanding the dynamics and evolution of fault systems. His approach involves combining geodetic measurements and paleoseismic studies with kinematic constraints to determine the partitioning of strain in active plate boundary zones. This research helps to elucidate both the rheology of the lithosphere and the parameters necessary for assessing seismic hazard potential. He may be contacted by email at meade@fas.harvard.edu.


David Schecter Ph.D., Physics, U. California, San Diego, 1999 2002 Daly Fellow	Dr. Schecter is currently a Research Scientist at NorthWest Research Associates, Seattle, WA. Please see http://www.nwra.com/resumes/schecter/ for more information on his research. He may be contacted at schecter@nwra.com.

Becky Alexander Ph.D. Atmospheric Chemistry, University of California, San Diego, 2002 2002 Daly Fellow	Dr. Alexander is presently a member of the faculty at the University of Washington. Her research focuses on improving our understanding of the feedbacks between the chemical composition of the atmosphere and climate, and how this relationship may be perturbed due to human activities such as fossil fuel burning. She uses measurements of the stable oxygen isotope composition of sulfate and nitrate aerosols from present-day atmospheric samples and from ice-cores. She also use a global chemical transport model (GEOS-CHEM) coupled to a global circulation model (GISS-GCM) for data interpretation and prediction. She may be contacted by email at beckya@u.washington.edu

Sigurjón Jónsson Ph.D. Geophysics, Stanford University, 2002 2002 Daly Fellow	Dr. Jónsson is currently at the Institute of Geophysics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich. While at Harvard he worked mainly on two projects. The first involved studying ground displacements fter large earthquakes observed with radar satellites and caused by pore-pressure changes. The results of this work were published in Nature in July 2003. The other project was on stability of volumetric borehole strain measurements and on effects of local fluid flow on these measurements. Dr. Jónsson will continue to work on crustal deformation associated with large earthquakes at ETH Zurich. He may be contacted by email at sj@erdw.ethz.ch.

Reginald Daly (1871-1957) was born in Napanee, Ontario, on March 18, 1871. He graduated from Victoria College in 1891, after which he remained at the University of Toronto for an additional year in order to teach mathematics and to acquire his S.B. degree. During this time he came under the influence of geologist A. P. Coleman and decided to pursue graduate studies in Earth science. He entered Harvard University in 1892, receiving his M.A. in 1893 and his Ph.D. 3 years later. Postgraduate study took him to Heidelberg, where he learned thin-section analysis, as well as to Paris, where he studied with Alfred Lacroix. In 1898, Daly returned to Harvard to serve as an instructor in geology, a post he retained until 1901, when he began a 6-year stint as field geologist with the Canadian International Boundary Commission. Returning to academia in 1907, Daly taught physical geology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for 5 years; he then accepted the position of Sturgis-Hooper Professor of Geology at Harvard. He retained this appointment until his retirement in 1942.

Beginning with his work at Mount Ascutney, Vermont (begun in 1893), Daly understood the importance of field studies in defining key questions about geologic processes. Thus his exhaustive examination of some 400 miles of terrain along the 49th parallel led to a theory of the origin of igneous rocks. Similarly, his expedition to the Samoan Islands, funded by the Carnegie Institution of Washington, resulted in theories of the relationship of sea level, mediated by glacial effects, on the formation of coral atolls. As a member of the Shaler Memorial Expedition to the southern hemisphere (1921-1922), Daly mapped St. Helena and the Ascension Islands, visited South Africa, and contributed to understanding the stratigraphy of the region.

Daly's field studies also stimulated his theoretical speculations about rock mechanics and led to new questions about the Earth and its dynamic processes. He used these insights to great effect in the classroom, thus inspiring the next generation of Earth scientists, notably, petrologist Norman Bowen. Daly also developed many fruitful collaborations with scientists in other research areas. For instance, in an effort to understand the physical properties of rocks and rock melts, he worked with physicist Percy Bridgman at Harvard and with high-pressure researchers at the Geophysical Laboratory in Washington. He also wrote and lectured widely, sharing his views and enthusiasm with students and the general public alike. His text book Igneous Rocks and Their Origin appeared in 1914 and remained a staple for college instruction for many years.

For this diverse body of work, Daly received many honors, including honorary degrees from the University of Heidelberg, the University of Chicago, and Harvard University, as well as membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1909), the American Philosophical Society (1913), and the National Academy of Sciences (1925). He received the Penrose Medal from the Geological Society of America in 1935 and, despite his protestations of unworthiness, the William Bowie Medal from the American Geophysical Union in 1946. In his acceptance speech for the latter, Daly claimed to be a "tireless advocate of cooperation in Earth science," and it is, perhaps, this breadth of vision and commitment to synthesis that defines his reputation today. He died in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on September 19, 1957.

Biography courtesy of Robert M. Hazen, Carnegie Institution of Washington.

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences : Harvard University