David McGee, the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at MIT, has been recently appointed as the head of the MIT Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (EAPS), effective January 15. He takes over the position from Professor Robert van der Hilst, the Schlumberger Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences, who led the department for over 13 years.
McGee’s expertise lies in employing isotope geochemistry and geochronology to reconstruct the climatic history of the Earth, enhancing our comprehension of how the climate system reacts during phases of rapid transformation. He has also played a pivotal role in fostering the department’s community and culture, having acted as EAPS associate department head since 2020.
“David is an exceptional researcher who offers essential, data-driven insights to support our response to climate change,” states dean of the School of Science and the Curtis (1963) and Kathleen Marble Professor of Astrophysics Nergis Mavalvala. “He is also a dedicated and compassionate educator, investing significantly in his students’ learning journeys and through his leadership of Terrascope, one of our distinctive first-year learning communities aimed at generating solutions to sustainability challenges.”
“I am invigorated by the remarkable EAPS community, by Rob’s guidance over the past 13 years, and by President Kornbluth’s call for MIT to devise effective and wise responses to climate change,” remarks McGee. “EAPS holds a distinctive position in this era of confronting planetary limits — our collective way forward must be informed by a profound understanding of the Earth system and a clear awareness of our role in the cosmos.”
McGee’s research aims to comprehend how the Earth system responds to historical climate variations. Utilizing geochemical analysis and uranium-series dating, McGee and his team examine stalagmites, ancient lake deposits, and deep-sea sediments from diverse field sites globally to track patterns of wind and precipitation, water availability in arid regions, and permafrost stability over time and distance. Equipped with precise timelines, he aspires to illuminate the triggers of historical hydroclimatic transitions and provide quantitative evaluations of climate model efficacy.
In addition to research, McGee has contributed to various Institute initiatives centered on environment, climate, and sustainability, including participation in the MIT Climate and Sustainability Consortium Faculty Steering Committee and the faculty advisory board for the MIT Environment and Sustainability Minor.
McGee also served as co-chair of MIT’s Climate Education Working Group, one of three groups formed under the Institute’s Fast Forward climate action initiative. This group identified avenues to enhance climate- and sustainability-related education at the Institute, encompassing curricular offerings and experiential learning opportunities.
In April 2023, the working group organized the MIT Symposium for Advancing Climate Education, showcasing presentations by McGee and others on how colleges and universities can innovate and empower students to acquire the skills and perspectives necessary to thrive in a world affected by the escalating climate crisis.
“David is rethinking MIT’s undergraduate education to incorporate meaningful partnerships with communities beyond MIT, teaching students that while scientific discovery is essential, it is not always sufficient to effect societal change,” adds van der Hilst. “He will significantly influence the future of the department with this crucial insight.”
From the outset of his career, McGee has been committed to imparting his passion for exploration to students. He obtained a master’s degree in teaching and dedicated seven years to teaching in middle and high school classrooms before earning his PhD in Earth and environmental sciences from Columbia University. He joined the MIT faculty in 2012, and in 2018 was honored with the Excellence in Mentoring Award from MIT’s Undergraduate Advising and Academic Programming office. In 2015, he became the director of MIT’s Terrascope first-year learning community.
“David’s outstanding teaching in Terrascope demonstrates his understanding that effective solutions must emerge where science intersects with community engagement to forge ethical pathways,” notes van der Hilst. In 2023, for his contributions to Terrascope, McGee received the school’s highest accolade, the School of Science Teaching Prize. In 2022, he earned the title of Margaret MacVicar Faculty Fellow, the supreme teaching honor at MIT.
As associate department head, McGee collaborated with van der Hilst and student leaders to enhance EAPS community involvement, improve internal support systems, and expand opportunities for students to engage in advanced degrees and STEM careers.