Matthew Dodd

Dr. Dodd uses chemical properties of rocks from the extensive geological history of Western Australia and other localities around the world to document biological and climatic evolution during critical intervals in Earth history. His work focuses on reconstructing changes in the oceanic phosphorus cycle in order to understand how this critical nutrient has shaped the oxygen content of our atmosphere and Earths climate, as well as the evolutionary history of complex life. A detailed understanding of the ocean phosphorus cycle will be critical in predicting the future habitability of Earth and of extraterrestrial planets.