Gayatri Kathayat is a Professor at the Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Xi’an, China. Her research focuses on high-fidelity paleoclimate reconstructions using speleothems, stable isotopes, trace elements, and uranium-thorium dating, with emphasis on Indian summer monsoon variability across multiple timescales.

Work and Education Experience

Appointments工作经历

2024–Present: Professor, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Xi’an, China

2019–2024: Associate Professor, Institute of Global Environmental Change, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China

2016–2019: Postdoctoral Fellow, Institute of Global Environmental Change, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China

2011–2012: Visiting Research Fellow, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Minnesota, USA

2008–2010: Research Fellow, University Grant Commission, Department of Geology, Kumaun University, Nainital, India

2007–2008: Research Assistant, UCOST & Department of Geology, Kumaun University, Nainital, India

Education教育经历

2013–2016: Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
Dissertation: Indian Summer Monsoon Variability on Multiple Timescales

2010–2012: MS in Urban Environment Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China

2004–2006: MS in Geology, Kumaun University, Uttarakhand, India

2001–2003: BS in Geology, Kumaun University, Uttarakhand, India

Indian summer monsoon variability and hydroclimate change

Speleothem-based paleoclimate reconstructions using stable isotopes and trace elements

Geochemistry and uranium-thorium dating of cave carbonates

Regional and microclimate monitoring

Isotope-enabled General Circulation Models (GCMs)

1.“Young Scientist” Award, PAGES 2nd Young Scientist Meeting, Goa, India (2013)

2. Fully funded Fellowship, PAGES Young Scientist and Open Scientist Meeting (2013)

3.“Outstanding Student” Award, Chinese Scientific Council (2015–2016)

4. Chinese Government Scholarship (2010–2016)

5. Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), University Grant Commission (UGC), New Delhi (2008–2010)

1.  Kathayat G*, Sinha A*, Breitenbach M. F, Tan L, Spötl C, Li H, Dong X, Zhang H, Ning Y, Allan J. R, Damodaran V, Edwards R. L, and Cheng H. Protracted Indian monsoon droughts of the past millennium & their societal impacts. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) (2022). doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2207487119

2.  Dong X, Kathayat G*, Rasmussen O. S, Svensson A, Severinghaus P. J, Li H, Sinha A, Xu Y, Zhang H, Shi Z, Cai Y, Pérez-Mejías C, Baker C.J, Zhao J, Spötl C, Columbu A, Ning Y, Stríkis M. N, Chen S, Wang X, Gupta K.A, Dutt S, Zhang F, Cruz W. F, An Z,  Edwards R. L, Cheng H*. Coupled atmosphere–ice-ocean dynamics during Heinrich Stadial 2. Nature Communications (2022). doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-33583-4

3.  Kathayat G*, Sinha A, Tanoue M, Yoshimura K, Li H, Zhang H, Cheng H. Interannual oxygen isotope variability in Indian summer monsoon precipitation reflects changes in moisture sources. Communications Earth & Environment. (2021). doi.org/10.1038/s43247-021-00165-z

4.  Sinha A*, Kathayat G*, Weiss H, Li H, Cheng H, Reuter J, Schneider AW, Berkelhammer M, Adalı SF, Stott LD, Edwards RL. Role of climate in the rise and fall of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Science Advances. (2019). doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aax6656

5.  Kathayat G, Cheng H, Sinha A, Yi L, Li X, Zhang H, Li H, Ning Y, Edwards RL. The Indian monsoon variability and civilization changes in the Indian subcontinent. Science Advances. (2017). doi: 10.1126/sciadv.1701296