Tulane geoscientist Cynthia Ebinger elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Cynthia "Cindy" J. Ebinger, a Tulane University geoscientist internationally recognized for her research on earthquakes, tectonics and Earth's evolving crust, has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious honorary societies.

Ebinger, the Marshall-Heape Chair in Geology in Tulane's School of Science and Engineering, is among 252 leaders in academia, the arts, industry, public policy, research and science elected to the Academy's 2026 class.

Ebinger's recent work has also helped scientists better understand unusual seismic activity in north Louisiana. Following a series of earthquakes near the town of Coushatta - including the largest inland earthquake recorded in the state - she deployed seismic monitoring equipment to investigate the source of the activity and improve analysis of earthquake locations, ground motion and subsurface fault structures.

"Cynthia's election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences is a well-deserved recognition that reflects the kind of work that defines Tulane at its best-rigorous, collaborative research that advances knowledge and helps us better understand and respond to the world around us," said Tulane President Michael A. Fitts. "From global systems to seismic activity here in Louisiana, her work turns discovery into real-world insights and impact."

Ebinger's fellow inductees include leading researchers from institutions such as Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

"I am delighted to see the American Academy of Arts and Sciences recognize what we have known since her arrival at Tulane nearly a decade ago: Cindy Ebinger is an extraordinary scientist, and an important one," said Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Robin Forman. "In addition to leading path-breaking research in the geosciences, she has been a thoughtful and influential voice on some of the most pressing issues of our time, including critical minerals and energy resources."

"I am humbled to join such an accomplished group of leaders in the arts and sciences who have used their talents to benefit society and the planet," Ebinger said. "I am especially honored to be recognized for contributions to understanding dynamic Earth processes to better safeguard against natural hazards and promote more sustainable use of resources."

Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences recognizes individuals for outstanding achievements and convenes members to address critical challenges facing society. The Academy announced the new members Wednesday, April 22. Induction ceremonies for the 2026 class will take place in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in October.

"Election to the American Academy is among the highest honors a scholar can receive, and Cindy's selection affirms that she is one of the foremost geoscientists of her generation," said Hridesh Rajan, dean of Tulane School of Science and Engineering. "Her career bridges continents and disciplines, from the East African Rift to the faults beneath Louisiana to space travel, and her scientific leadership has shaped how the field thinks about active tectonics. She is also playing such an influential role leading Tulane SSE Space Science and Engineering Task Force."

Ebinger's research examines earthquake and volcanic hazards, energy and mineral resources, and the evolution of Earth's plate boundaries. She leads Tulane's Geophysics and Active Tectonics Research (GATR) Laboratory, where researchers acquire new data and develop analytical and numerical models to detect deformation of Earth's plates across scales ranging from 1 to 1,000 kilometers.

In the lab, Ebinger's research team studies the complex interplay of tectonic, deep Earth, hydrological, magmatic and human-driven processes that shape the planet's surface. Tulane data are integrated with U.S. Geological Survey systems to improve analysis of earthquake locations, ground motion and subsurface fault structures.

Ebinger's career includes a postdoctoral appointment at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and faculty positions at the University of Leeds, University of London and University of Rochester. She currently serves on the Executive Board of the American Geophysical Union College of Fellows and leads the Tulane Space Science and Engineering Task Force.

Ebinger is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Geophysical Union and the Geological Society of America, and she serves as a Jefferson Science Fellow with the U.S. Department of State, advising on critical minerals and energy resources.