Maegen Simmonds
Lead Soil Carbon Scientist
Maegen Simmonds's interests
Carbon markets
Chemical processes
Climate & carbon policy,
Climate science
Data science
Field scientist
Nature-based solutions
Process models
Soil science
Agricultural Methane
Nitrous Oxide Mitigation
Dr. Maegen Simmonds is a soil scientist and biogeochemist specializing in carbon and nitrogen dynamics in agricultural systems, with particular focus on soil carbon, greenhouse gas emissions, climate change mitigation, and the evaluation of agricultural carbon removal and emissions reduction projects.
Before joining BeZero, Maegen held scientific and data science roles at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Pivot Bio, and Regrow Ag, and completed independent consulting engagements spanning climate mitigation, soil health, and agricultural MRV. Across these roles, her work included co-developing a statewide land-sector greenhouse gas and carbon model used to evaluate climate mitigation strategies, leading scientific initiatives supporting agricultural innovation, and translating complex environmental science and carbon accounting concepts into decision-relevant insights for policymakers, clients, and other stakeholders.
Selected publications
2024, Soil Management Practices Can Contribute to Net Carbon Neutrality in California
[https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ad4b41]Genetic remodeling of soil diazotrophs enables partial replacement of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer with biological nitrogen fixation in maize
[https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-78243-3]2021, Impacts of California’s Climate-Relevant Land Management Scenarios on Terrestrial Carbon Emissions (CO₂ and CH₄) and Wildfire Risk
[https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/abcc8d]
Education
Stanford University, Postdoctoral Scholar in Earth System Science
University of California, Davis, PhD in Soils and Biogeochemistry.
The Pennsylvania State University, BA in Sustainable Development
Research association:
Research Partner, California Collaborative on Climate Change Solutions – Working Lands Innovation Center, Catalyzing Negative Carbon Emissions (2019-2021)
Recipient, Shapiro Family Award for Excellence in Science, University of California, Davis (2015)
NSF-Supported Scholar, Rice Research to Production Program, International Rice Research Institute, Philippines (2013)
William G. and Kathleen Golden International Agriculture Fellow (2008–2012)
Graduate Research Fellow, Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis (2010–2014)
Learn more about Maegen's academic history and publications
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