Maverick Science - Women in Science

Majie Fan

Dr. Majie Fan is an expert on sedimentary geology and basin analysis. Her research group investigates basin evolution, tectonic processes, and paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental changes.

Fan was born on the Loess Plateau in northern China, a dry highland named for its loose, fine-grained, yellowish topsoil. As a young girl, Fan occupied much of her time by playing outside. “I had a great time playing with rocks and hiking around with friends. My curiosity to nature was nurtured during that time.” A portion of Fan’s research helps to understand the sudden, regional climate change that caused continental aridification to accumulate loess and seeks to find the reasons behind it. “We don’t know what will happen in the future, but we can always learn from the past. Using that knowledge, we can better predict how the climate will change in the future.”

“I have learned so much from my female role models and feel strongly that I should be a role model for other women or girls in my field. I try to do this by talking with my female students and sharing my interests and personal experiences with them.”