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
Traffic Science - The connection between atmospheric blocking and real traffic jams
08-01-2025
BBC — Assistant Professor Lei Wang in EAPS recently appeared on the BBC talking about the connection between his research on atmospheric blocking and real traffic jams. His portion of the interview is about 24 minutes in.
How Ceres Froze Over: Modeling the Ice-Rich Crust of an Evolving Dwarf Planet
07-24-2025
Join planetary scientists Beth Johnson and Purdue's Ian Pamerleau, lead author of a groundbreaking new Nature Astronomy study, for a deep dive into the icy mysteries of Ceres—the largest object in the asteroid belt and the only dwarf planet to be orbited by a spacecraft.
Purdue announces launch of Neil Armstrong Space Prize
07-22-2025
Purdue University — recognized globally as the Cradle of Astronauts — announced the creation of a new international prize honoring excellence over the past 10 years in space discovery, innovation and human achievement. Named the Neil Armstrong Space Prize, the award is designed to stand alongside other prestigious honors in the scientific field, including the Nobel Prize, and become the premier global honor in space advancement.
Is there life on Mars? Scientists claim thick layers of clay could be perfect breeding grounds
07-15-2025
GBNews — Scientists have discovered that thick clay deposits on Mars could have provided stable environments where ancient life might have developed, according to new research. EAPS's Roger Wiens was quoted in this article and led the research team.
2025 NFS Graduate Research Fellowship Program announces awardees and honorable mentions
07-14-2025
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced the 2025 Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) which included 24 awardees and 28 honorable mentions from Purdue University. Of the pool of innovators, the Purdue University College of Science students stood out with twelve awardee offers and eight honorable mentions.