Wade McGillis, a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences at the University of Notre Dame since 2022, has dedicated his career to advancing our understanding of carbon dynamics and ecosystem processes. Before joining Notre Dame, he held key positions at Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, contributing to fields such as Applied Ocean Physics, Geochemistry, and Earth and Environmental Engineering. As Director of Rivers and Estuaries programs, he bridged scientific inquiry with real-world environmental challenges, a hallmark of his interdisciplinary approach.

Wade has been a pioneering figure in carbon cycle research, serving as a founding Science Steering Committee member of the United States Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry Program and as Chair of the United States Surface Ocean and Lower Atmosphere Study. Internationally recognized for his innovative contributions, he developed boundary layer meteorological techniques to measure the exchange of carbon dioxide between the global oceans and atmosphere, earning NOAA’s Best Scientific Paper Awards in 2002 and 2003. His work with Heirloom Inc., where he holds a patent for a carbon sequestration process, reflects his commitment to actionable solutions for climate challenges.

Over three decades, Wade’s research has illuminated the complexities of carbon transport and storage, revealing how human activity, ecosystem types, and biospheric gas exchanges drive greenhouse gas accumulation in the atmosphere. Using techniques such as boundary layer transport modeling, chamber studies, and mass balance analysis, he has explored the flux of carbon dioxide across marine atmospheric and benthic boundary layers, as well as terrestrial surfaces. His work spans ecosystems worldwide, from coral reefs and seagrass meadows to ice-covered oceans, estuaries, and rivers, detailing how these systems capture and release carbon. This research not only deepens our understanding of ecosystem functions but also underscores their responses to climate change.

As a dedicated advocate for public engagement, Wade has led initiatives such as Columbia University's water quality sampling hub for New York City Citizen Scientists and served as a long-time advisor for the Hudson Riverkeeper and +Pool Project. His insights into carbon productivity, calcification, and substrate dissolution in marine and aquatic environments have profound implications for addressing climate change and fostering ecosystem resilience. Through his inventive methods and commitment to bridging science and society, Wade McGillis continues to shape the future of environmental sustainability.