LLNL’s Jennifer Pett-Ridge named 2024 AAAS fellow

Jennifer Pett-Ridge is a biogeochemist who likes to ‘dig deep’ into the soil. She knew early on that she wanted to pursue environmental science and has now become one of the world’s foremost experts in soil ecology and carbon cycling.

Now, Pett-Ridge will be recognized as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the Science family of journals.

Pett-Ridge is among the 471 scientists, engineers and innovators who have been elected 2024 fellows for their scientifically and socially distinguished achievements throughout their careers.

After receiving her B.A. and M.S. from Yale University and her Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, Pett-Ridge joined Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) as a postdoctoral researcher in 2005. She is now a distinguished member of technical staff.

“Soils are the core of healthy human societies. Maintaining the multiple functions of soils is critical for energy, water and food security and providing products like food, fuel and fiber,” said Pett-Ridge. “Receiving this award is an amazing honor and really supports the importance of the work we do here at LLNL.”

As head of LLNL’s Carbon Initiative and the DOE Office of Science Microbes Persist and Terraforming Soils research projects, Pett-Ridge leads a team of over 100 scientists dedicated to developing carbon removal technologies and fundamental science that supports national security, energy security and soil health in California and beyond. She is the lead author of the recent “Roads to Removal: Options for Carbon Dioxide Removal in the United States” report, which includes a detailed analysis of carbon removal capacity and costs for every county in the U.S. and environmental and social benefits.

Pett-Ridge also connects stakeholders (from farmers to fuel companies) in California and beyond, encouraging them to engage in new industries that support sustainable, healthy ecosystems.

A tradition dating back to 1874, election as an AAAS fellow is a lifetime honor, and all fellows are expected to maintain the highest standards of professional ethics and scientific integrity. Distinguished past honorees include Ellen Ochoa, Steven Chu, Grace Hopper, Alan Alda, Mae Jemison and Ayanna Howard.