Biography
I have an undergraduate degree in physics (2004, Harvard) and a PhD in applied math (2008, Harvard). I came to the University of Chicago as a Chamberlin Fellow in 2009 and stayed on as a faculty member in 2011.
Research Interests
I use mathematical and computational models to understand and explain fundamental problems in Earth and Planetary Sciences. I have worked on problems related to climate, paleoclimate, planetary habitability, and exoplanets, but I'm always excited to think about new things. I work best with students who have strong mathematical skills that they want to apply to cool problems. Recently I've been focusing a lot of effort on terrestrial exoplanets and habitability. We have a really great community with three faculty in our department and three in astronomy working on exoplanets. Here is a list of our recent PhD graduates in the area. Right now I'm particularly interested in planetary dynamics and how it relates to habitability.
Selected Publications
Abbot, D.S, R.J. Webber, S. Hadden and J. Weare (2021), Rare Event Sampling Improves Mercury Instability Statistics, Astrophysical Journal, submitted. arxiv
Checlair, J.H., G.L. Villanueva, B.P.C. Hayworth, S.L. Olson, T.D. Komacek, T.D. Robinson, P. Popovic, H. Yang, D.S. Abbot (2021), Probing the capability of future direct imaging missions to spectrally constrain the frequency of Earth-like planets, Astrophysical Journal, 161:150. arxiv
Olson, S.L., M. Jansen, and D.S. Abbot (2020), Oceanographic Constraints on Exoplanet Life, Astrophysical Journal, 895:19. arxiv
Statement of Values
I practice fair admissions: I select students and postdocs on the basis of scientific ability and promise, and I do not discriminate against any applicant based on anything else. I encourage freedom of expression and the creative exploration of ideas in my group.
Silly stuff