Research Areas
Atmospheric Sciences
We study extreme weather, climate change, and their impacts on both ecosystems and modern society.
Environmental Geoscience
We use biology, chemistry, geology, and physics to understand how the Earth System supports such a diversity of life and how human behavior is impacting this system.
Geodata Science Initiative
Data science is the fourth and the newest paradigm of science. In Geodata Science Initiative, we conduct transdisciplinary research, merging or articulating EAPS subject matters with technical areas in data science: statistical and machine learning methods and models, algorithms for the models and methods, and computational environments for data analysis.
Geology and Geophysics
We study the processes that shape our planet, from the building of mountains and oil-bearing sedimentary basins, to the flow of warm rocks and cold glaciers, to the triggering of earthquakes.
Planetary Science
We study the evolution of the solar system and how planets evolve over time due to impacts, tectonics, and atmospheric processes, with an eye to the potential for past and future habitability.
Research News
Perseverance rover may hold secrets to newly discovered Mars volcano
06-16-2025
NewScientist — There appears to be a volcano near Jezero crater on Mars and the Perseverance rover might already have samples from it that we could use to precisely date the activity of another planet's volcano for the first time. Purdue EAPS's Briony Horgan is quoted in the article.
The Mysterious Inner Workings of Io, Jupiter’s Volcanic Moon
06-16-2025
Wired — Recent flybys of the fiery world refute a leading theory of its inner structure—and reveal how little is understood about geologically active moons. Purdue EAPS Assistant Professor Mike Sori was quoted in the article.
The Eleventh Community Workshop for Achievability and Sustainability of Human Exploration of Mars
06-16-2025
Explore Mars, Inc. — Purdue EAPS Professor Ali Bramson co-led a new expert consensus report from Explore Mars, Inc., outlining top U.S. priorities for sending humans to Mars. The report is based on expert-consensus and features a list of crucial activities that should be conducted based on consideration of mission architecture, critical technology development, risk mitigation, the international landscape, and the increasing role of commercial partnerships.
Rubin First Look Watch Party at Purdue University
06-09-2025
The release of the first images from NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory is right around the corner. This will mark the beginning of a new era in astronomy, and we invite you to take part. Purdue University Physics and Astronomy invites you to the only official public watch party in Indiana, either in person or via stream. We welcome the public to the unveiling of these images and to learn how Purdue was involved in the formation of this state-of-the-art, land-based observatory.
06-03-2025
In a new study, researchers at Purdue University, in collaboration with experts from Sandia National Laboratories, have potentially uncovered a game-changing method for using clay to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from the air to help mitigate climate change.