Jennifer Pett-Ridge selected as fellow of American Geophysical Union

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) scientist Jennifer Pett-Ridge has been named a 2026 fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU).

AGU is a global community supporting more than half a million advocates and professionals in the Earth and space sciences. The fellows program recognizes AGU members who have made exceptional contributions to Earth and space science through a breakthrough, discovery or innovation in their field.

Pett-Ridge, a distinguished member of technical staff and lead of the LLNL Carbon Initiative, was recognized for applying cutting-edge imaging and isotopic techniques to reveal how elements flow through plants, microbes and soils.

“As someone who works on multiple topics, at multiple scales, I am surprised and humbled to be honored by the AGU — it’s the ‘big tent’ society that brings so many disciplines together,” said Pett-Ridge. “Learning, trying, failing, succeeding — my research path has been a tortuous, messy, yet often thrilling activity. I am profoundly grateful for LLNL’s ‘team science’ approach. It has brought me the great pleasure of working with so many talented students, staff, postdocs, mentors, funders and science pals.”

After receiving her B.A. and M.S. from Yale University and her Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, Pett-Ridge joined LLNL as a postdoctoral researcher in 2005. From early in her career, she knew that she wanted to pursue environmental science.

Now, Pett-Ridge has become an internationally recognized expert in soil ecology, isotope tracing and carbon cycling. Her research digs deep into soil health and how maintaining the multiple functions of soils is critical for ensuring energy, water and agricultural security. In recent years, she has taken an active role in connecting stakeholders (from farmers to fuel companies) in California and beyond, encouraging them to engage in new industries that support sustainable, healthy ecosystems and a new carbon economy.

“Mentoring has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career, and I’m excited to help build connectivity between experts working on food-water-energy-environmental resilience,” said Pett-Ridge.

Pett-Ridge leads multiple initiatives, focus areas and projects at the Laboratory. In addition to her role at LLNL, she is an adjunct professor at the University of California (UC) Merced and a principal investigator at the UC Berkeley Innovative Genomics Institute. Among other awards, she was elected to the Alameda County Women’s Hall of Fame and is a recipient of the Department of Energy Office of Science Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award.

Pett-Ridge will be honored alongside AGU’s full cohort of 2026 fellows at the organization’s annual meeting in San Francisco in December.