Geochemist Alan Seltzer Honored with International Early-Career Recognition
WOODS HOLE, Mass. — The European Association of Geochemistry (EAG) has named Dr. Alan Seltzer the recipient of the 2026 F.G. Houtermans Award, recognizing his foundational contributions to the field of isotope geochemistry. The award represents one of the highest international distinctions conferred upon early-career researchers in Earth and planetary sciences.
Seltzer, an affiliated scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and an assistant professor at University College Dublin, was selected for pioneering the application of dissolved gas isotopes to quantify complex physical and biogeochemical processes across Earth systems.
Advances in Isotope Geochemistry and Oceanography
Seltzer's research centers on utilizing noble gases and stable isotope tracers to explore environmental mechanics, including atmosphere-ocean gas exchange dynamics and the climate sensitivity of groundwater reservoirs. His methodologies have yielded critical data for evaluating ocean carbon dynamics and reconstructive climate models.
During his time in WHOI’s Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry Department—first as a postdoctoral scholar from 2019 to 2021 and later as a member of the research staff—Seltzer established a gas isotope tracer laboratory. In that facility, he developed new analytical techniques capable of measuring trace concentrations of dissolved gases in marine and terrestrial water samples.
"WHOI has a special culture in which collaboration and high-risk science are celebrated," Seltzer noted in a statement regarding the honor, pointing to the research freedom that enabled his technical developments.
Formal Presentation at Goldschmidt Conference
Seltzer's selection highlights ongoing research excellence within WHOI's Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry Department. The recognition follows the 2025 Houtermans Award granted to former WHOI postdoctoral researcher David Bekaert, marking a rare consecutive honors sequence for scientists associated with the institution.
The 2026 F.G. Houtermans Award will be officially presented to Seltzer during the annual Goldschmidt Conference in July 2026.