Professor Jill Banfield has received a V.M. Goldschmidt Award, the highest honor given by the Geochemical Society. The V. M. Goldschmidt Award recognizes major achievements in geochemistry or cosmochemistry, and is presented annually at the V. M. Goldschmidt Conference.
An expert in environmental biogeochemistry and nanogeoscience, Banfield studies the structure and functioning of microbial communities, including their role in bioremediation, and microbial responses to climate change. Her research has helped uncover more than 1,000 new types of bacteria and Archaea, helping scientists create a more accurate depiction of the tree of life.