Kenna Harmony Rubin

Everything in my academic and professional life is driven by a passion for discovery and for uncovering how our planet works, sharing those insights with others, and training the next generation of scientists and explorers. My work takes me to some of the remotest corners of the globe, where I search for the clearest and most compelling examples of the volcanic and coastal processes I study. These discoveries advance our understanding of Earth and help clarify humanity’s place within the natural order.

The teams I lead focus on finding previously undocumented phenomena and studying them with cutting-edge tools, including autonomous robots, deep-diving submersibles, satellites, geoinformatics, and big-data approaches, all areas I have also played national science governance leadership roles in.  My work has produced a distinguished publication record in leading scientific journals. Yet as a university professor and active science communicator, I am equally committed to guiding students and the public in understanding the timescales, magnitudes, and dynamics of major natural events, and how human society intersects with, and sometimes amplifies, natural hazards.

I’ve been drawn to volcanoes, the ocean, and exploration for as long as I can remember. As a child, I was captivated by human journeys to the Moon, the deep sea, and the world’s most remote landscapes. I have an instinctive curiosity and an adventurous spirit, so my fascination with nature pushed me to ask questions, observe the world closely, and imagine a future where discovery would be part of my daily life. With the guidance of excellent mentors, I realized early on that a field-based science career was where I belonged.

What continues to motivate me today is the combination of discovery and connection. I’m driven by the excitement of seeing something new, sometimes something no one has ever seen, and by the responsibility and joy of sharing that insight with others. Much of my work focuses on natural processes that unfold on human timescales: volcanic eruptions, rapid environmental changes, and sudden geological events that shape landscapes and communities. These events profoundly influence people’s lives, even when occurring in the deep past of human experience, though the connections are often forgotten or previously not understood.

The arc of human history includes countless moments shaped by rapid environmental change. By studying active phenomena today, I aim to unravel those stories by documenting their modern and legacy impacts, how these events affect places, ecosystems, and societies, and by helping people understand how our future remains deeply intertwined with Earth’s dynamic systems.