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�鶹�� has appointed Ruth Varner as director of the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space (EOS). Varner, who has served as interim director since February 2025, will serve a three-year term through June 30, 2029.

One of �鶹��’s largest and most impactful research institutes, EOS brings together faculty, researchers, staff and students across disciplines to advance research focused on Earth, ocean, and space systems. The institute, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this month, includes six research centers and plays a major role in supporting �鶹��’s status as an R1 research university through externally funded research, graduate education and interdisciplinary collaboration.

“Ruth has provided thoughtful, steady leadership for EOS during an important year for the institute,” says �鶹�� Provost Jen Riley. “She brings a deep understanding of EOS not only as an accomplished researcher, but as someone who has spent decades helping strengthen its collaborative and interdisciplinary culture. Her commitment to research excellence, mentorship, and community impact makes her exceptionally well-suited to lead EOS into its next chapter.”

A professor of biogeochemistry in the department of Earth sciences and the Earth Systems Research Center, Varner has been part of EOS for more than three decades. Her research focuses on trace gas emissions from terrestrial, aquatic and human-managed ecosystems, including long-term studies of methane emissions from wetlands and Arctic permafrost peatlands. She collaborates with microbial ecologists, remote sensing specialists and modelers to better understand environmental processes from regional to global scales. 

Varner has held a number of leadership roles at �鶹��, including director of the Joan and James Leitzel Center for Mathematics, Science and Engineering Education, director of the NSF Northern Ecosystems Research for Undergraduates program, associate director and director of the Earth Systems Research Center, and faculty fellow for diversity, equity and inclusion in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. She currently co-directs the EMERGE Biological Integration Institute. 

“I’m excited to continue serving EOS in this role,” Varner says. “EOS has a long history of bringing together researchers across disciplines to address complex questions about our planet and beyond. It’s the people, the spirit of collaboration and the shared commitment to research, education, and public impact that makes this community so special. I look forward to continuing to support our faculty, researchers, staff, and students as we build on that legacy together.”

During its 40-year history, EOS has grown into a nationally recognized interdisciplinary research institute with partnerships spanning federal agencies, industry and universities around the world. Its researchers contribute to projects ranging from climate and arctic research to ocean mapping, space science and environmental monitoring.

Varner earned her Ph.D. and master’s degree from �鶹�� and her bachelor’s degree in geology from Hartwick College. She joined EOS as a research assistant in 1993 and has since served in a wide range of research, teaching and leadership roles across the university.