Robert van der Hilst to step down as head of the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences

Professor led EAPS for more than a decade, cultivating a focus on Earth systems, planets, climate science, and the origins of life. Robert van der Hilst, the Schlumberger Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences, has announced his decision to step down as the head of the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences at the end of this academic year.  A search committee will convene later this spring to recommend candidates for Van der Hilst's successor. "Rob is a consummate seismologist whose images of Earth's interior structure have deepened our understanding of how tectonic plates move, how mantle convection works, and why some areas of the Earth are hot-spots for seismic and geothermal activity," says Nergis Mavalvala, the Curtis and Kathleen Marble Professor of Astrophysics and the dean of the MIT School of Science. "As an academic leader, Rob has been a steadfast champion of the department's cross-cutting research and education missions, especially regarding climate sciences writ large at MIT. His commitment to diversity and community have made the department - and indeed, MIT - a better place to do our best work." "For 12 years, it has been my honor to lead this department and collaborate with all our community members - faculty, staff, and students," says Van der Hilst. "EAPS is at the vanguard of climate science research at MIT, as well Earth and planetary sciences and studies into the co-evolution of life and changing environments." Among his other leadership roles on campus, Van der Hilst most recently served as co-chair of the faculty review committee for MIT's Climate Grand Challenges in which EAPS researchers secured nine finalists and two, funded flagship projects.