New Dean of Science

Dear members of the FAS and SEAS communities,

It is with great enthusiasm that I write to announce that David Johnston, Betty Wold Johnson Foundation Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences, will serve as the next Dean of Science for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

David is an internationally recognized geobiologist whose work uses innovative isotopic approaches to illuminate Earth’s history—its oceans, atmosphere, and the evolution of microbial life that has shaped our planet over billions of years.  Along with his students and postdoctoral fellows, David “re-animates” ancient ecosystems and ocean chemistry using a diversity of approaches, including stable isotope systems, cutting-edge analytical techniques, modern microbial experiments, and theoretical modeling, to answer fundamental questions about how Earth works, both in the deep past and today.

As a faculty member in Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS), David has helped to build Harvard’s strength in geobiology, geochemistry, and Earth history—fields that draw on state-of-the-art analyses of geologic and biological samples to understand the intertwined history of climate, ecosystems, and life on our planet. His work exemplifies how partnerships across campus, including with initiatives focused on the environment, climate, and the origins of life, can advance both fundamental science and our understanding of Earth’s future.

David is also an experienced and generous academic leader. As co-director of Graduate Studies in EPS for nearly 15 years, he has played a key role in mentoring graduate students, shaping curriculum, and strengthening our research and training environment. Since 2019, he has contributed to strategic planning and governance of the Science Division through service on the Dean’s Faculty Advisory Committee and later the Division’s Executive Committee. Since January, as Interim Dean of Science, he has worked closely with department chairs, faculty, and staff across the Division to support excellence in research and teaching, to steward resources, and to foster a sense of shared purpose across disciplines.

David received his B.S. in Environmental Studies and Philosophy from Bates College and his Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Maryland, College Park. He first came to Harvard as a Microbial Sciences Initiative Fellow in 2007, before joining the faculty in EPS in 2009. David was the John L. Loeb Associate Professor of Natural Sciences from 2014-16 before being promoted to full professor in 2016. Since that time, he has planted himself as a central figure in our scientific community, known for his intellectual breadth, creativity, and collaborative approach.

This appointment comes at a pivotal moment for science at Harvard and beyond, as we navigate an uncertain research landscape. As Dean of Science, David will draw on his experience and perspective to provide steady, strategic leadership to the Division, supporting our faculty in pushing the frontiers of knowledge, championing our students’ educational and research opportunities, and deepening collaborations across disciplines. His example as a leader, scientist, and mentor will be a tremendous asset to the FAS as we confront these challenges and make decisions that will shape the Division of Science for years to come.

Please join me in celebrating David’s appointment and in thanking him for his willingness to serve the FAS in this important role.

Sincerely,
Hopi

Hopi Hoekstra
Edgerley Family Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences
C. Y. Chan Professor of Arts and Science
Xiaomeng Tong and Yu Chen Professor of Life Sciences