Susan Solomon
Personal Information
Born: 1956
Country of Birth: USA
Nationality: USA
Ethnicity: White
Education
Illinois Institute of Technology B.S. Chemistry 1977; University of California Berkeley M.S. 1979; Ph.D. Chemistry with a specialization in Atmospheric Chemistry 1981
Professional Life
Field of Study: Atmospheric Chemist
Institution/Corporation: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; MIT
Degrees & Memberships: Honorary Degree: Brown University (2015) Duke University (2023); Member: US National Academy of Sciences (1992) European Academy of Sciences French Academy of Sciences Science & Security Board of the Atomic Scientists Foreign Member of the Royal Society (2008) American Philosophical Society (2008) Pontifical Society of Sciences (2021) American Academy of Arts & Sciences (1993) International Panel on Climate Change
Awards & Achievements
Awards: 1999 National Medal of Science; 2006 V. M. Goldschmidt Award; 2007 William Bowie Medal American Geophysical Union; 2009 Volvo Environment Prize Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences; 2012 Vetlesen Prize (with Jean Jouzel); 2012 BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award; 2018 Crafoord Prize; 2002 named 1 of the 50 Most Important Women in Science Discover magazine; 2008 named 1 of the 100 Most Influential People in the World Time; 2021 Future of Life Award (with Joe Farman & Stephen O. Andersen); 1991 Henry G. Houghton Award American Meteorological Society; 1994 Solomon Saddle a snow saddle named after her; 1994 Solomon Glacier named after her; 2000 Carl-Gustaf Rossby Medal American Meteorological Society; 2004 Blue Planet Prize Asahi Glass Foundation; 2006 Colorado Women's Hall of Fame; 2007 Prix Georges Lemaitre; 2007 as a member of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) she accepted half of the Nobel Peace Prize (other half awarded to Al Gore); 2008 Grande Medaille French Academy of Sciences; 2009 National Women's Hall of Fame; 2010 Service to America Medal Partnership for Public Service; 2017 Arthur L. Day Prize & Lectureship National Academy of Sciences; 2018 Bakerian Lecture; 2019 Government Hall of Fame; 1985 Macelwane Award AGU; 2004 Women in Technology Hall of Fame; 2021 NAS Award for Chemistry in Service to Society
Achievements: Studies ozone depletion stratosphere climate & climate change; has written 2 books
Is a leader in the field of atmospheric science
Pioneered the theory explaining why the ozone hole occurs in Antarctica & obtained some of the 1st chemical measurements that helped establish the chlorofluorocarbons as its cause
2007, shared the Nobel Peace Prize
Spent most of her career at NOAA
Became interested in science from watching the Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau as a child
In high school, placed 3rd in a national science competition
2011, joined the faculty at MIT
Solo leader & only female on 2 expeditions to McMurdo Sound in 1986 & 1987
Her work formed the basis of the UN Montreal Protocol, an international agreement to protect the ozone layer by regulating damaging chemicals