Paul Mayewski

Dr. Paul Andrew Mayewski is an internationally renowned glaciologist, climate
scientist, and polar explorer. He serves as Director of the multidisciplinary Climate
Change Institute at the University of Maine, where he also holds distinguished
professorships in the School of Earth and Climate Sciences, School of Marine Sciences,
School of Policy and International Affairs, the Business School, and the Law School.
Born in Scotland, where his passion for exploration began early through hiking, Dr.
Mayewski has since led more than 60 expeditions to some of the planet’s most remote
polar and high-elevation regions. His groundbreaking scientific contributions include the
discovery of abrupt climate change driven by atmospheric circulation, pioneering
methods for ultra-high-resolution ice core analysis, development of ice core–climate
calibration techniques, and extensive research on human impacts to atmospheric
chemistry, toxic metal emissions, and ecosystem change. He has applied climate
research to urgent modern-day challenges such as public health, climate forecasting,
and education. His exploration accomplishments include leading teams into uncharted
Antarctic territories, completing thousands of kilometers of surface traverses, and
numerous first ascents — all in the service of science. Dr. Mayewski has initiated and
led major international climate research programs at the "three poles" of the Earth: the
Greenland Ice Sheet Project (involving 25 U.S. institutions), the International Trans-
Antarctic Scientific Expedition (21 nations), and the National Geographic and
Rolex Perpetual Planet Everest Expedition, where he led a team of 34 researchers that
achieved three Guinness World Records. He has published over 500 scientific papers,
delivered hundreds of public and academic lectures worldwide, and authored two widely
acclaimed books: The Ice Chronicles and Journey Into Climate. His work has been
featured in the New York Times, BBC, NPR, NOVA, CBS’s 60 Minutes, and the Emmy
Award–winning documentary Years of Living Dangerously. Among many honors, he has
received the inaugural Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Medal for
Excellence, the European Geophysical Union’s Oeschger Medal, the Seligman Crystal
from the International Glaciological Society, the Lowell Thomas Medal from The
Explorers Club, and an honorary doctorate from Stockholm University. Dr. Mayewski’s
career exemplifies a life dedicated to advancing climate science, exploration, and public
understanding of planetary change.