Benoit Thibodeau, PhD

Benoit Thibodeau is an assistant professor with a joint appointment in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and the School of Life Sciences at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He has over 20 years of experience conducting interdisciplinary biogeochemistry and climate research, with a focus on using stable isotope techniques to study nutrient cycling, pollution impacts, and past climate variations.

Dr. Thibodeau completed his PhD in environmental sciences at the University of Quebec in 2011, followed by postdoctoral positions at the University of Tokyo, Japan and the Academy of Sciences, Germany. His research integrates field sampling, lab experiments, modeling, and paleoclimate archives to unravel connections between biogeochemical processes and environmental change across a range of marine ecosystems from coral reefs to the Arctic. Over his career, Dr. Thibodeau has secured around 15 million USD in external funding, published over 30 papers, and supervised numerous graduate students. He is committed to training the next generation of environmental scientists, has taught undergraduate and graduate courses at multiple universities, and frequently gives public lectures on climate change science and impacts.

At the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Dr. Thibodeau runs a highly productive lab focused on tracking pollution and unraveling nutrient cycling dynamics in the unique environments of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area using stable isotopes. He serves on several university committees and editorial boards and acts as an advisor for environmental startups. With his diverse research background, passion for interdisciplinary collaboration, and dedication to sharing science with students, stakeholders, and the public, Dr. Thibodeau is making important contributions to advancing biogeochemistry research and addressing pressing environmental issues.