S.-H. Dan Shim, a professor of geosciences at Arizona State University’s School of Earth and Space Exploration, has been named a 2026 Guggenheim Fellow by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, recognizing his interdisciplinary work bridging earth science and astrophysics.
Shim is amongst 223 fellows chosen this 12 months throughout 55 disciplines, chosen from a pool of practically 5,000 candidates by means of a rigorous utility and peer evaluation course of. The fellowship acknowledges each distinctive prior profession achievement and excellent promise for future contributions.
“Dan Shim’s recognition as a Guggenheim Fellow reflects the strength of ASU’s academic enterprise and our commitment to research that advances knowledge across disciplines,” stated Nancy Gonzales, ASU govt vp and college provost.
“His work connecting earth science and astrophysics is expanding our understanding of planetary systems and the conditions that shape them, with implications for how we study our own planet and others beyond it. This honor underscores the impact of faculty who are not only leaders in their fields, but also contributors to a collaborative environment that drives discovery and learning for our students.”
Shim’s experiments recreate a broad vary of planetary circumstances within the laboratory, spanning totally different pressures, temperatures and compositions. Using highly effective X-rays and lasers from massive experimental amenities, he probes how supplies behave underneath these excessive circumstances.
These laboratory insights assist clarify how planets evolve and construct their construction. He then works carefully with researchers throughout earth science, planetary science and astrophysics to attach these findings with observations of each Earth and distant worlds.
“It is particularly exciting because I have been awarded for astronomy and astrophysics, which is not my original discipline of earth science,” Shim stated. “SESE and ASU have enabled me to explore beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries.
“With the rapid pace of exoplanet discoveries in astrophysics, earth science plays a crucial role in linking these findings to the geology and habitability of distant worlds. I am grateful that the Guggenheim Foundation has recognized the significance of the new research approaches bridging earth science and astrophysics that my group has developed over the years at SESE and ASU.”
Each Guggenheim Fellow receives a financial stipend to pursue impartial work “under the freest possible conditions.” The fellowship program, established in 1925 by Sen. Simon Guggenheim, has supported 1000’s of students, scientists and artists over its century-long historical past.
“This fellowship will elevate collaboration between earth science and astrophysics to a new level. It will support a more integrated approach that connects experiments, modeling and the interpretation of observations,” stated Shim, who will deal with how planetary interiors and atmospheres work together, together with how geological processes inside exoplanets could form their atmospheres.
“This work will improve how scientists interpret data from JWST (James Webb Space Telescope) and next-generation ground-based observatories, helping to reveal new insights into distant worlds.”
Ramon Arrowsmith, interim director of the School of Earth and Space Exploration, praised the information of Shim’s fellowship.
”Professor Shim is most deserving of this honor. On prime of his revolutionary and sensible instructing contributions, he’s a world-leading knowledgeable within the exploration of the fabric properties of planets, together with our personal. He is an exemplar for the School of Earth and Space Exploration,” Arrowsmith stated.
With this fellowship, Shim joins over 40 ASU college members who’ve acquired this prestigious honor, additional strengthening the college’s dedication to revolutionary analysis.