Carnegie Science

We sat down with Brittany Belin, whose lab at Carnegie Science studies the biology of rhizobia, soil bacteria that can convert atmospheric nitrogen gas into plant-fertilizing ammonia. These “beneficial bacteria” form a symbiotic relationship with legumes such as peas, soybeans, and jointvetch, serving as sustainable alternatives to synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. "If we don't find ways to make agricultural production more sustainable, then in the next century, we're going to hit a point where food scarcity will become a problem—and many things will come with that. It’s not just starvation; you will have more fighting for food resources, which can mean more war," she says. 🌱 🦠 Read more: https://lnkd.in/g623hnJy

Carnegie Science's Anna M. Michalak emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic with a renewed sense of urgency about the pace at which academia can provide useful, science-based climate solutions to policymakers, industry, and non-governmental institutions. She gave a fiery call-to-action presentation at a long-term colleague’s retirement symposium, enrolled in a global leadership program at the Stanford School of Business, and made major inroads in the corporate and non-profit worlds—quickly developing collaborations with Google Research and Schmidt Sciences. Learn more about her journey: https://lnkd.in/gap9BEvB

Duct tape is a must. So are zip ties. Depending on whether you’ll be on site long enough for it to dry, Gorilla Glue might be another necessity. Oh, and pack as many buckets and sample bottles as you can fit in your gear, advises Carnegie Science aquatic ecologist Stephanie Hampton, sharing a rundown of all the absolutely essential items to bring on a fieldwork trip. LEARN MORE ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ezqZNvzj

By the middle of the century, three-quarters of Ukrainian croplands—a critical source of the world’s grain and oilseeds—will experience water shortages due to the combination of climate change and infrastructural damage caused by the Russian invasion, according to new research from in an international research team led by Carnegie Science’s Lorenzo Rosa and including members of the World Bank’s Global Water Practice unit. However, there’s hope. The team’s work, published in Nature Food, shows that leveraging local water resources for sustainable irrigation strategies could significantly improve the nation’s ability to recover from the invasion and prepare for future climate scenarios. https://lnkd.in/gkvFdq5T

We are sad to share that our President Emerita, the legendary Maxine Singer, died yesterday at 93. Singer's career represented a rare trifecta of excellence in scientific research, leadership, and public advocacy. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush awarded her the National Medal of Science in recognition of “her outstanding scientific accomplishments and her deep concern for the societal responsibility of the scientist.” Learn more about her incredible legacy as a scientist and as a tireless voice for inclusion in STEM education: https://lnkd.in/guP8gwhP

Carnegie Science is proud to join a prestigious group of institutions eligible to host Heising-Simons Foundation 51 Pegasi b Fellows. Program participants can choose to work at the Carnegie Science Observatories, Earth & Planets Laboratory, or both. Established in 2017, this fellowship provides exceptional early career scientists with the opportunity to conduct theoretical, observational, and experimental research in planetary astronomy, a growing field that connects the study of objects within our Solar System to exoplanet research. The program was named after the first planet discovered orbiting a Sun-like star—a research breakthrough in which Carnegie Science’s own Paul Butler played a critical role. LEARN MORE: https://lnkd.in/gAyTNmJH

This Thursday! At AAAS or online, tune in to hear Dr. Aomawa Shields discuss the many factors and processes can affect planetary climate and habitability, which is vital information for determining a planet's potential for hosting life. Sharing excerpts from her new memoir, Dr. Shields will also speak about her struggle to fit in as a Black woman in astronomy, her nontraditional career path, and finding her place in the universe. Join us!! It's sure to be an amazing time. TICKETS: https://lnkd.in/gFAEd-Bi

Exciting new development about the construction of the Giant Magellan Telescope, a next-generation facility that is being built at Carnegie Science's Las Campanas Observatory in Chile. Once completed, it will enable breakthrough research on the physics underpinning our universe and enhance our ability to search for evidence of life on other planets.

Congratulations to former Carnegie Science Earth and Planets Laboratory Staff Scientist Sara Seager, who is one of two winners of the 2024 Kavli Prize in Astrophysics for her work on discovering and characterizing exoplanets and their atmospheres. In a Q&A with Frank Sesno after the announcement, she said Carnegie Science was one of the only places investing in exoplanet science at the start of her career. https://lnkd.in/emCT5ecW

Near the searing center of our Solar System orbits a celestial oddity—Mercury. As the smallest and closest planet to the Sun, Mercury defies conventional planetary norms. Twenty years ago, humanity embarked on a remarkable journey of exploration to unlock the secrets of this strange little planet. The Carnegie-led MESSENGER mission aimed to map Mercury's surface, study its geology, investigate its inner composition, characterize its magnetic field, and ultimately provide clues about how Mercury formed. 🛰️ READ ALL ABOUT THIS GROUNDBREAKING NASA MISSION: https://lnkd.in/ggF5A3Zg