Carnegie Science prepares for donor appreciation event

Though we officially marked the first Carnegie Science Day this January, our 123-year legacy of scientific excellence deserves extended celebrations! From deep-space discoveries like the universe’s continual expansion and the abundance of dark matter, to understanding jumping genes and mapping the Earth’s magnetic field, Carnegie researchers have changed the world forever and continue to do so thanks to the generosity of our donors.

Philanthropic support is not only the foundation on which the institution was built, but remains the lifeblood that enables our research to endure in perpetuity. Our transformational discoveries are made possible by the visionary modern philanthropists who extend Andrew Carnegie’s founding model of scientific investment with their own contributions across each of Carnegie Science’s core areas: astronomy, Earth and planetary science, and the life and environmental sciences.

In thanks for their essential contributions to our work, Carnegie Science will welcome a cohort of dedicated philanthropists to our Earth & Planets Laboratory in Washington, D.C., on April 29 for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at our research activities. Over drinks and snacks from James Beard Award-nominated chef Scott Drewno (CHIKO, Anju), attendees will mingle with other science enthusiasts and come face-to-face with Carnegie researchers from both EPL and our Biosphere Sciences & Engineering Division. 

The roster of experts, who represent a wide range of interest areas at the core of our research, include:

• Microbiologist Brittany Belin, whose study of bacterial symbiosis is helping to develop more sustainable agricultural fertilizers
• High pressure experimentalist Yingwei Fei, whose high-pressure experiments are shaping our understanding of planetary interior composition and evolution
• Isotope geochemist Andrea Giuliani, whose study of planetary formation is advancing the identification of rare Earth metals critical to the green energy transition
• Geochronologist Jennifer Kasbohm, whose combination of fieldwork and lab research in volcanism and tectonics is revealing Earth’s geologic past
• Volcanologist Diana Roman, whose tracking of magma movement and volcanic conduit systems is contributing to predictions of volcanic eruptions
• Geochemist Steve Shirey, whose investigation of diamonds in Earth’s deep mantle is shedding light on how the planet’s continents formed
• Extreme materials scientist Tim Strobel, whose research on novel material synthesis and characterization is informing their application for energy and advanced applications
• Observational astronomer Alycia Weinberger, whose deployment of advanced instrumentation and techniques is unraveling the mysteries of early planet formation and evolution
• Computational scientist Cian Wilson, whose development of advanced modeling software is enabling cutting-edge simulations of the Earth’s core, mantle, and lithosphere

“Simply put, Carnegie Science would not exist without its philanthropic support that has spanned generations,” said Chief Development Officer Jeanine Forsythe. “The Carnegie Science community extends far beyond our staff to include our neighbors and supporters. We’re very excited to hold this special event as a thank-you to those who’ve given generously of their time and treasure to support our cutting-edge science.”

Amid the interactive presentations and exhibitions that shine a light on the future of our research, attendees will have the opportunity to learn how such developments fit into Carnegie Science’s history. In the shadow of the legendary Atomic Physics Observatory, or “atom smasher,” longtime EPL librarian and historian Shaun Hardy will offer special tours of the campus, offering a rare glimpse into the campus’ rich past. 

If you are interested in donating to Carnegie Science, you can learn more about our community of donors here. Thank you for your support!