Dr. Valentine’s research focuses on interactions of microbes, molecules, and the natural world. He and his lab members seek to answer questions fundamental to biogeochemistry, ecology, and evolution by applying modern tools of chemistry, molecular biology and oceanography. They blend field work at sites around the world with laboratory investigations at UCSB.

Dr. Valentine holds the Norris Presidential Endowed Chair in Earth Science at UCSB. He is an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and for the American Academy of Microbiology, and was chosen as the 2023 Faculty Research Lecturer for UC Santa Barbara. At UCSB, he chairs the Marine Science Graduate Program and is the founding director of the new College of Creative Studies major in Marine Science.

Dr. Valentine holds BS and MS degrees in Biochemistry and Chemistry from UC San Diego as well as MS and PhD degrees in Earth System Science from UC Irvine. He was born and raised in California and lives in Goleta with his wife and three daughters.