James H. Scott Geobiology

Dartmouth College is saddened to note the sudden passing of Professor James Scott, in January 2010. Our hearts and thoughts go out to his family, colleagues, and to all of those who counted James as a friend. He will be deeply missed.

A memorial and celebration of James' life will be held at Dartmouth on May 6th.

James research and teaching helped to expand our understanding of the remarkable ability of microbial communities to survive environmental extremes and, indeed, to shape the evolution of Earth. He discovered that microorganisms, as a community, are able to withstand tremendous pressure and changes in pressure. He was also a co-investigator on an upcoming NASA mission to Mars to search for compounds that form the building blocks of life, scheduled to fly next year. Ultimately, his work highlights the remarkable adaptability and resilience of life.