Prof. Dr. Roger Everett Summons

Profile

Academic positionFull Professor
Research fieldsPalaeontology,Geochemistry (Inorganic, Organic, Biological)
Keywordscyanobacteria, biomarkers, molecular fossils, hopanoids, oxygenic photosynthesis
Honours and awards

2012: Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology

2008: AvH Research Prize

2008: DSc Honoris Causa University of Wollongong

2008: Fellow of the Royal Society

2006: Fellow of the American Geophysical Union

1998: Fellow of the Australan Academy of Science

Current contact address

CountryUnited States of America
CityCambridge
InstitutionMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InstituteDepartment of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences

Host during sponsorship

Prof. Dr. Kai-Uwe HinrichsFachgebiet Organische Geochemie, Universität Bremen, Bremen
Prof. Dr. Jürgen RullkötterInstitut für Chemie und Biologie des Meeres (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg
Start of initial sponsorship01/12/2007

Programme(s)

2007Humboldt Research Award Programme

Nominator's project description

Professor Summons is an internationally renowned leader in organic geochemistry and geobiology. He studies molecular fossils as tracers of Earth's earliest life in some of the oldest sedimentary rocks. His work has profoundly influenced our conception of the timing of the advent of oxygenic photosynthesis and the evolution of eukaryotes. During his stay in Germany, Professor Summons will be working on the identification of novel biomarkers of cyanobacteria in order to track this important group of microorganisms in ancient ecosystems.