Douglas R. MacAyeal

Douglas R. MacAyeal is a leading expert in glaciology and uses tools of fluid dynamics, seismology, remote sensing and computational methods to study the behavior of the large ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland. He has traveled around the world to study the behaviors of ice and snow, gaining insight into how the cryosphere—the parts of the planet covered in ice—affects climate, and vice versa. His current research examines how lakes on top of glaciers affect the ice shelves. He has been traveling to Antarctica for decades and in 2002, MacAyeal Ice Stream in Antarctica was named to recognize his work and efforts in studying the region.

Prof. MacAyeal served as president of the International Glaciological Society from 2011 to 2018.