Dawn Y. Sumner | Professor
Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1995)
3111 Earth & Physical Sci
dysumner@ucdavis.edu | 530-752-5353
Geobiology and Paleobiology; Geology; Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry; Planetary Science
Dawn Sumner's research focuses on the co-evolution of Earth and life with an emphasis on understanding the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis and the effects of oxygenation on evolution and Earth’s surface environments. Her group studies everything from the environmental settings, geochemistry and morphology of ancient microbialites to the morphology, climate response, and genomics of modern microbial communities growing in ice-covered Antarctic lakes. These studies focus on interdependencies among evolution, ecology, environments, and Earth as a planet, integrating insights from both microbiology and geology. Sumner has also worked with the Mars Curiosity team to characterize ancient environments on Mars and to assess their habitability for life as we know it on Earth.
Sumner is dedicated to helping students of all backgrounds prepare for careers in science as well as to creating educational and work environments that are inclusive and supportive, including through the use of intersectional feminist research and theory.
pronunciation | Dawn Sumner
pronouns | she/they
websites |
https://dysumner.faculty.ucdavis.edu
UC Davis W.M. Keck Center for Active Visualization in the Earth Sciences (KeckCAVES)
Google Scholar | profile