John P. Grotzinger

Grotzinger has led his generation's efforts to understand the tectonic, environmental, and biological drivers of carbonate deposition through Earth history. In particular, he has elucidated the formation of stromatolites (the most common records of life on the early Earth) and established the geological framework needed to interpret the earliest records of animal evolution. He has also been the undisputed leader in efforts to characterize the geology of sedimentary rocks on Mars, producing the first stratigraphic section measured on another planet and leading the exploration of Mars' environmental history using the Mars rovers Opportunity and Curiosity.