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Emily Bernhardt to Lead Cornell Atkinson
Freshwater ecologist and biogeochemist to become director of Cornell's sustainability center
Mar. 19, 2026 at 1:24am
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Emily Bernhardt, Ph.D. '01, the James B. Duke Professor of Biogeochemistry at Duke University, will join Cornell as the Francis J. DiSalvo Director of the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability on Sept. 1. David Lodge, current director of Cornell Atkinson, will retire in May after 10 years leading the center.
Why it matters
The Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability is a key hub for interdisciplinary research and partnerships focused on addressing urgent environmental challenges. Bernhardt's appointment as the new director comes at a critical time as the center aims to expand its impact across disciplines beyond the traditional sciences.
The details
Bernhardt is a freshwater ecologist and biogeochemist whose research examines how land use, global change, and pollution are impacting aquatic ecosystems. She will become the third director in Cornell Atkinson's 16-year history, following Francis J. DiSalvo and David Lodge. In her new role, Bernhardt will provide leadership for the center's nearly 800 faculty fellows, 140 active grants, and partnerships with organizations like the Environmental Defense Fund and The Nature Conservancy.
- Bernhardt will join Cornell Atkinson as director on September 1, 2026.
- David Lodge, the current director, will retire in May 2026 after 10 years leading the center.
The players
Emily Bernhardt
A freshwater ecologist and biogeochemist who is the James B. Duke Professor of Biogeochemistry at Duke University. She will become the new director of the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability.
David Lodge
The current director of the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, who will retire in May 2026 after 10 years in the role.
Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability
An interdisciplinary research center at Cornell University focused on addressing urgent environmental challenges through partnerships and faculty-led initiatives.
What they’re saying
“Emily Bernhardt will bring strong intellectual leadership to the Cornell Atkinson Center at the perfect time, translating Cornell's academic excellence into real-world impact.”
— Kavita Bala, Provost
“I've known Emily for over 25 years, since we were graduate students, and I'm thrilled that we will be working so closely together now to forward innovative research and partnerships to improve climate, energy, food and health.”
— Benjamin Houlton, Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
What’s next
Bernhardt will officially begin her role as director of the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability on September 1, 2026.
The takeaway
The appointment of renowned freshwater ecologist Emily Bernhardt as the new director of the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability signals the center's commitment to expanding its interdisciplinary impact in addressing critical environmental challenges.
