Elizabeth Hadly

Elizabeth Hadly, born in 1958, is a distinguished professor in the Department of Biology at Stanford University, where she holds the prestigious Paul S. and Billie Achilles Chair of Environmental Science. Her research primarily focuses on the intricate relationships between ecology and evolution, particularly in the context of the Anthropocene—a term denoting the significant impact of human activity on Earth’s ecosystems.

Hadly began her academic journey at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she studied anthropology before earning a master's degree in quaternary science from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. She completed her PhD in integrative biology at the University of California, Berkeley, where she developed her foundational research skills.

In September 2016, Hadly took on the role of faculty director at the Stanford Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, contributing significantly to the preservation and understanding of local ecosystems. Additionally, since 2018, she has served as a professor at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Her scholarly contributions are extensive, with numerous published papers to her name. Notably, she co-authored a pivotal 2012 paper in Nature alongside Anthony Barnosky, discussing crucial climatic 'tipping points.' Together, they also penned the book *Tipping Point for Planet Earth: How Close Are We to the Edge?* (2016). Hadly's insights and research were featured in the 2015 documentary *Tomorrow*, further highlighting her influence in the field of environmental science.