Johannes Lehmann

Dr. Johannes Lehmann is a world-renowned soil scientist and a professor at Cornell University. He was born in Germany and received his Ph.D. in soil science from the University of Bayreuth in 1997. He joined Cornell University in 2001 and became the Liberty Hyde Bailey Professor of Soil Biogeochemistry and Soil Fertility Management in 2012. He is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a Hans Fischer Senior Fellow at the Technical University of Munich.

Dr. Lehmann’s research focuses on the biogeochemical cycles of carbon and nutrient elements in soil, with implications for climate change, environmental pollution, and sustainable agriculture. He is a pioneer in the field of biochar, a form of charcoal that can improve soil fertility, sequester carbon, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He has published over 400 peer-reviewed papers and edited several books on soil organic matter, soil carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, and biochar systems. He has also received numerous awards and honors for his scientific contributions and leadership, such as the International Research Award from the Soil Science Society of America, the Sustainability Award of Tompkins County, and the Biochar Researcher of the Year Award from the Agronomy Society of America.

Dr. Lehmann is not only a prolific researcher, but also a passionate teacher and mentor. He has taught courses on soil science, biogeochemistry, and sustainable development at Cornell University and other institutions around the world. He has supervised over 50 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, many of whom have become successful scientists and professors in their own right. He has also been involved in various outreach and extension activities, such as the development of the USDA 1994 Terra Preta do Indio Fellowship program, which supports research on biochar and soil fertility in the Amazon region.

Dr. Lehmann is a visionary and influential figure in the soil science community and beyond. He is the editor-in-chief of the journal Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems and serves on the editorial boards of several other journals. He is also an active member of various scientific committees and organizations, such as the International Biochar Initiative, the Global Soil Partnership, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. He has given numerous keynote lectures and invited talks at international conferences and events, such as the COP26, where he advocated for the support of biochar scale-up to fight climate change.

Dr. Johannes Lehmann is a remarkable scientist and a role model for many aspiring soil scientists. He has made significant and lasting impacts on the fields of soil biogeochemistry, soil fertility management, and biochar systems. He continues to pursue his research and teaching with enthusiasm and excellence, while also contributing to the global efforts to address the challenges of climate change, food security, and environmental sustainability.