Edward M. Stolper

American geologist From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Edward Manin Stolper (born December 16, 1952) is an American geologist, petrologist, and planetologist. He is known for his research on igneous rocks (terrestrial and extraterrestrial) and volatiles in igneous processes, especially his research involving "pioneering experiments defining the behavior of volatiles in silicate melts and glasses."[1]

Quick facts President of the California Institute of Technology, Preceded by ...
Edward M. Stolper
President of the California Institute of Technology
Interim
In office
July 1, 2013  June 30, 2014
Preceded byJean-Lou Chameau
Succeeded byThomas Rosenbaum
Websitewww.gps.caltech.edu/people/edward-m-stolper
Scientific career
Alma materHarvard College (BS)
University of Edinburgh (MS)
Harvard University (PhD)
FieldsGeology
Planetary science
InstitutionsCalifornia Institute of Technology
Thesis Igneous petrology of differentiated meteorites  (1979)
Doctoral advisorJames F. Hays
Other academic advisorsMichael John O'Hara (MS)
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Biography

Stolper graduated in 1974 with a bachelor's degree in geosciences from Harvard College and in 1976 with a master's degree in geology from the University of Edinburgh under the supervision of Michael John O'Hara. In 1979 he received his Ph.D. in geosciences from Harvard University under the supervision of James F. Hays.[2] His Ph.D. thesis is entitled Igneous petrology of differentiated meteorites.[3] At California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Stolper was from 1979 to 1982 an assistant professor, from 1982 to 1983 an associate professor, and from 1983 to 1990 a professor. At Caltech he held the Leonhard Professorship from 1990 to 2019, the Millikan Professorship from 2020 to 2021, a Distinguished Professorship from 2021 to 2022, and the Hufstedler Professorship of Geology from 2022 to the present. At Caltech he held the office of Provost from 2007 to 2017 and was Interim President in 2013–2014.[2]

Stolper's research deals with the formation and development of igneous rocks in the Solar System. He has an international reputation for his geological and petrological expertise in field studies, laboratory investigations, computer simulations and theoretical considerations. He and his colleagues have examined samples from Earth, Moon and Mars, as well as from various meteorites.[1][4] He made important contributions to NASA's robotic space mission using the Mars rover named Curiosity.[5] He contributed significantly to scientific understanding of the melting processes in the interior of planets, as well as elucidating the importance of water, carbon dioxide, fluorine, and sulfur in such melting processes.[1][4][6][7]

Since 1973, Edward and Lauren Beth Stolper have been married. At Caltech she is Director of Fellowships Advising and Study Abroad (FASA).[8] The couple's daughter and son are both Harvard graduates: Jennifer (Harvard class of 2005) and Daniel (Harvard class of 2008).[9] Daniel Aaron Stolper has a Ph.D. in geobiology from Caltech.[10]

Awards and honors

The mineral stolperite is named in honor of Edward Stolper.[19]

Selected publications

References

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