Dr. Robert Hazen Named 2025 Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist by AGI
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Dr. Robert Hazen, Executive Director of the Deep Carbon Observatory and Research Scientist at the Carnegie Institution for Science’s Earth and Planets Laboratory, has been awarded the American Geosciences Institute’s (AGI) 2025 Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist Medal in recognition of his lifetime of notable achievements in the geosciences and global impact across disciplines.
His early research set the stage for modern crystal chemistry through his work in high-pressure crystallography. Dr. Hazen’s exploration into superconducting materials opened technological frontiers, spurring innovations in use today. Moreover, his concept of mineral evolution changed the field, not only transforming the way mineralogy is studied and taught, but also reshaping museum curation, scientific inquiry, and how we search for signs of life on other planets.
A champion of interdisciplinary science, Dr. Hazen launched the field of mineral informatics, applying data science to uncover patterns in Earth’s mineral diversity and distribution. These efforts have led to advances including predicting undiscovered minerals, identifying geologic biosignatures, and advancing the search for critical minerals. Dr. Hazen’s Law of Increasing Functional Information proposes a new principle governing the organization and complexity of natural systems, further expanding his legacy into fundamental scientific theory.
Dr. Hazen also remains active as an educator, speaker, and author. His books, including The Story of Earth, and his popular teaching series for The Great Courses, such as “The Joy of Science” and “Origin and Evolution of Earth,” bring geoscience to audiences worldwide. As the Clarence B. Robinson Professor of Earth Science at George Mason University, he has inspired generations of students. A mineral discovered in Mono Lake in California was named hazenite in his honor by a former student.
Dr. Hazen’s leadership in the scientific community is equally impressive. Dr. Hazen has served in key roles in professional organizations such as the Mineralogical Society of America (MSA), American Geophysical Union, Geochemical Society, Geological Society of America, and Deep-time Digital Earth. His distinguished career has earned him numerous accolades, including the MSA Roebling Medal (2016), MSA Distinguished Public Service Medal (2009), and honors from the International Mineralogical Association and the American Museum of Natural History.
He earned his Ph.D. in Mineralogy and Crystallography from Harvard University in 1975, his master’s degree in Earth science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1971, and his bachelor’s degree in Earth science from MIT in 1970.
“Dr. Hazen has revolutionized the way we view our planet,” said AGI President Anna Shaughnessy. “From the origins of life to the laws that govern the cosmos, his visionary research, passionate mentorship, and public outreach have elevated the geosciences to new heights.”
“I am honored beyond words by this recognition from the American Geosciences Institute,” said Dr. Hazen. “AGI’s sustained and impactful leadership in serving the international geoscience community, especially its pioneering work in making Earth and planetary information resources available to everyone, have informed and inspired me for decades. I am so grateful to President Shaughnessy, Executive Director Arthur, and the AGI community.”
The Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist Medal will be given at the Awards Ceremony at the American Association of Petroleum Geologists/Society of Exploration Geophysicists annual meeting (IMAGE 2025) taking place August 25-28, 2025, in Houston, Texas. The medal is a lifetime achievement award given in recognition of an individual’s high-quality basic and applied science achievements in the Earth sciences.
AGI directly, or in cooperation with its Member Societies, bestows several awards each year to recognize excellence in the geosciences. In addition, AGI works with Member Societies to foster nominations for consideration in a number of National Science Awards. To learn more about AGI awards, visit https://www.americangeosciences.org/awards.
About AGI
The American Geosciences Institute (AGI), a federation of scientific and professional organizations representing over a quarter-million geoscientists, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to serving the geoscience community and addressing the geoscience needs of society. AGI headquarters are in Alexandria, Virginia.
Contact: Geoff Camphire, AGI Communications gac@americangeosciences.org