World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
Christopher P. McKay

Christopher P. McKay

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Environmental Sciences
USA
2026

D-Index & Metrics

Environmental Sciences

D-Index
126
Citations
52235
World Ranking
92
National Ranking
39

Christopher P. McKay publication distribution in Environmental Sciences in 2026

The chart shows the distribution of publications by all Research.com ranked scientists in the field of Environmental Sciences in 2026. The highlighted bar marks where Christopher P. McKay sits on this spectrum.

41–50 publications: 21 scientists 51–60 publications: 62 scientists 61–70 publications: 133 scientists 71–80 publications: 257 scientists 81–90 publications: 361 scientists 91–100 publications: 440 scientists 101–110 publications: 492 scientists 111–120 publications: 541 scientists 121–130 publications: 617 scientists 131–140 publications: 544 scientists 141–150 publications: 541 scientists 151–160 publications: 539 scientists 161–170 publications: 444 scientists 171–180 publications: 444 scientists 181–190 publications: 400 scientists 191–200 publications: 377 scientists 201–210 publications: 318 scientists 211–220 publications: 282 scientists 221–230 publications: 263 scientists 231–240 publications: 220 scientists 241–250 publications: 217 scientists 251–260 publications: 180 scientists 261–270 publications: 181 scientists 271–280 publications: 155 scientists 281–290 publications: 130 scientists 291–300 publications: 127 scientists 301–310 publications: 130 scientists 311–320 publications: 85 scientists 321–330 publications: 106 scientists 331–340 publications: 80 scientists 341–350 publications: 83 scientists 351–360 publications: 75 scientists 361–370 publications: 69 scientists 371–380 publications: 52 scientists 381–390 publications: 54 scientists 391–400 publications: 56 scientists 401–410 publications: 44 scientists 411–420 publications: 40 scientists 421–430 publications: 36 scientists 431–440 publications: 25 scientists 441–450 publications: 25 scientists 451–460 publications: 32 scientists 461–470 publications: 29 scientists 471–480 publications: 21 scientists 481–490 publications: 26 scientists 491–500 publications: 26 scientists 501–510 publications: 17 scientists 511–520 publications: 19 scientists 521–530 publications: 15 scientists 531–540 publications: 22 scientists 541–550 publications: 12 scientists 551–560 publications: 15 scientists 561–570 publications: 11 scientists 571–580 publications: 19 scientists 581–590 publications: 9 scientists 591–600 publications: 9 scientists 601–610 publications: 7 scientists 611–620 publications: 11 scientists 621–630 publications: 5 scientists 631–640 publications: 5 scientists 641–650 publications: 6 scientists 651–660 publications: 3 scientists 661–670 publications: 3 scientists 671–680 publications: 4 scientists 681–689 publications: 4 scientists 690+ publications: 100 scientists
41 publications 690+

This scientist: 925 publications — 100th percentile

100% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

The last bar groups every scientist with 690 publications or more.

Christopher P. McKay D-index placement in Environmental Sciences in 2026

The chart shows the D-index (discipline H-index) distribution of Environmental Sciences scientists ranked by Research.com in 2026. The highlighted bar marks where Christopher P. McKay sits on this spectrum.

30 D-Index: 12 scientists 31 D-Index: 26 scientists 32 D-Index: 51 scientists 33 D-Index: 88 scientists 34 D-Index: 123 scientists 35 D-Index: 163 scientists 36 D-Index: 206 scientists 37 D-Index: 267 scientists 38 D-Index: 265 scientists 39 D-Index: 275 scientists 40 D-Index: 321 scientists 41 D-Index: 343 scientists 42 D-Index: 305 scientists 43 D-Index: 336 scientists 44 D-Index: 330 scientists 45 D-Index: 348 scientists 46 D-Index: 291 scientists 47 D-Index: 275 scientists 48 D-Index: 272 scientists 49 D-Index: 273 scientists 50 D-Index: 263 scientists 51 D-Index: 232 scientists 52 D-Index: 266 scientists 53 D-Index: 217 scientists 54 D-Index: 198 scientists 55 D-Index: 177 scientists 56 D-Index: 202 scientists 57 D-Index: 204 scientists 58 D-Index: 166 scientists 59 D-Index: 177 scientists 60 D-Index: 166 scientists 61 D-Index: 152 scientists 62 D-Index: 143 scientists 63 D-Index: 150 scientists 64 D-Index: 124 scientists 65 D-Index: 119 scientists 66 D-Index: 120 scientists 67 D-Index: 118 scientists 68 D-Index: 82 scientists 69 D-Index: 98 scientists 70 D-Index: 94 scientists 71 D-Index: 105 scientists 72 D-Index: 74 scientists 73 D-Index: 84 scientists 74 D-Index: 70 scientists 75 D-Index: 67 scientists 76 D-Index: 78 scientists 77 D-Index: 60 scientists 78 D-Index: 59 scientists 79 D-Index: 52 scientists 80 D-Index: 47 scientists 81 D-Index: 38 scientists 82 D-Index: 48 scientists 83 D-Index: 42 scientists 84 D-Index: 42 scientists 85 D-Index: 43 scientists 86 D-Index: 29 scientists 87 D-Index: 37 scientists 88 D-Index: 29 scientists 89 D-Index: 30 scientists 90 D-Index: 34 scientists 91 D-Index: 20 scientists 92 D-Index: 22 scientists 93 D-Index: 17 scientists 94 D-Index: 19 scientists 95 D-Index: 24 scientists 96 D-Index: 21 scientists 97 D-Index: 20 scientists 98 D-Index: 24 scientists 99 D-Index: 17 scientists 100 D-Index: 17 scientists 101 D-Index: 21 scientists 102 D-Index: 25 scientists 103 D-Index: 18 scientists 104 D-Index: 26 scientists 105 D-Index: 20 scientists 106 D-Index: 15 scientists 107 D-Index: 10 scientists 108 D-Index: 13 scientists 109 D-Index: 15 scientists 110 D-Index: 12 scientists 111 D-Index: 8 scientists 112 D-Index: 7 scientists 113 D-Index: 9 scientists 114 D-Index: 6 scientists 115 D-Index: 12 scientists 116 D-Index: 7 scientists 117 D-Index: 8 scientists 118 D-Index: 3 scientists 119 D-Index: 5 scientists 120 D-Index: 7 scientists 121 D-Index: 2 scientists 122 D-Index: 4 scientists 123 D-Index: 8 scientists 124 D-Index: 7 scientists 125 D-Index: 9 scientists 126+ D-Index: 92 scientists
30 D-Index 126+

This scientist: 126 D-Index — 99th percentile

99% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

The last bar groups every scientist with 126 D-Index or more.

Research.com Recognitions

  • 2026 - Research.com Environmental Sciences in United States Leader Award
  • 2025 - Research.com Environmental Sciences in United States Leader Award
  • 2023 - Research.com Environmental Sciences in United States Leader Award
  • 2006 - Fellow of American Geophysical Union (AGU)

Overview

Christopher P. McKay is affiliated with the Ames Research Center in the United States. Their research primarily spans the fields of Physics and Astronomy as well as Environmental Science. Within these areas, McKay's work covers several specialized subfields including Astronomy and Astrophysics, Ecology, Atmospheric Science, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, and Physiology.

The scientist's work addresses a range of topics that include Planetary Science and Exploration, Astro and Planetary Science, Polar Research and Ecology, Spaceflight Effects on Biology, Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life, Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology, and Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology.

McKay has contributed to multiple scientific papers, including the following recent publications:

  • Science Goals and Objectives for the Dragonfly Titan Rotorcraft Relocatable Lander, 2021, The Planetary Science Journal
  • The Enceladus Orbilander Mission Concept: Balancing Return and Resources in the Search for Life, 2021, The Planetary Science Journal
  • Water activity in Venus's uninhabitable clouds and other planetary atmospheres, 2021, Nature Astronomy
  • Climate From the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, 1986-2017: Surface Air Temperature Trends and Redefined Summer Season, 2020, Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres
  • Novel Antarctic yeast adapts to cold by switching energy metabolism and increasing small RNA synthesis, 2021, The ISME Journal

Frequent co-authors in McKay's publications include Alfonso F. Dávila, C. Stoker, Henry Sun, Giora J. Kidron, and J. L. Eigenbrode. This network of collaborators suggests active engagement in interdisciplinary research across planetary science and ecology.

McKay's research has appeared in several prominent publication venues, with the highest number of contributions appearing in Astrobiology, followed by Icarus, Antarctic Science, Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, and The Planetary Science Journal.

The scientist was recognized as a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) in 2006.

Best Publications

  • Rapid calculation of radiative heating rates and photodissociation rates in inhomogeneous multiple scattering atmospheres

    Owen B. Toon;C. P. McKay;T. P. Ackerman;K. Santhanam

  • In situ measurements of the physical characteristics of Titan's environment

    M. Fulchignoni;F. Ferri;F. Angrilli;A. J. Ball

  • The thermal structure of Titan's atmosphere.

    Christopher P. McKay;James B. Pollack;Régis Courtin

  • Metabolic activity of permafrost bacteria below the freezing point

    E. M. Rivkina;E. I. Friedmann;C. P. McKay;D. A. Gilichinsky

  • Mars-like soils in the Atacama Desert, Chile, and the dry limit of microbial life

    Rafael Navarro-González;Fred A. Rainey;Paola Molina;Danielle R. Bagaley

  • The Sample Analysis at Mars Investigation and Instrument Suite

    Paul R. Mahaffy;Christopher R. Webster;Michel Cabane;Pamela G. Conrad

  • Antarctic climate cooling and terrestrial ecosystem response

    Peter T. Doran;John C. Priscu;W. Berry Lyons;John E. Walsh

  • The ChemCam Instrument Suite on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Rover: Body Unit and Combined System Tests

    Roger C. Wiens;Sylvestre Maurice;Sylvestre Maurice;Bruce Barraclough;Bruce Barraclough;Muriel Saccoccio

  • H2O at the Phoenix landing site.

    P. H. Smith;L. K. Tamppari;R. E. Arvidson;D. Bass

  • Biogenic methane, hydrogen escape, and the irreversible oxidation of early Earth.

    David C. Catling;David C. Catling;Kevin J. Zahnle;Christopher P. McKay

  • The ChemCam Instrument Suite on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Rover: Science Objectives and Mast Unit Description

    S. Maurice;R. C. Wiens;M. Saccoccio;B. Barraclough

  • Valley floor climate observations from the McMurdo dry valleys, Antarctica, 1986–2000

    Peter T. Doran;Christopher P. McKay;Gary D. Clow;Gayle L. Dana

  • Geomicrobiology of Subglacial Ice Above Lake Vostok, Antarctica

    John C. Priscu;Edward E. Adams;W. Berry Lyons;Mary A. Voytek

  • Photochemical modeling of Titan's atmosphere

    D. Toublanc;J.P. Parisot;J. Brillet;D. Gautier

  • Mars methane detection and variability at Gale crater

    Christopher R. Webster;Paul R. Mahaffy;Sushil K. Atreya;Gregory J. Flesch

  • Climatological observations and predicted sublimation rates at Lake Hoare, Antarctica.

    Gary D. Clow;Christopher P. McKay;George M. Simmons;Robert A. Wharton

  • Perennial Antarctic lake ice : An oasis for life in a polar desert

    John C. Priscu;Christian H. Fritsen;Edward E. Adams;Stephen J. Giovannoni

  • Volatile and organic compositions of sedimentary rocks in Yellowknife Bay, Gale crater, Mars.

    Douglas W. Ming;P. D. Archer;D. P. Glavin;J. L. Eigenbrode

  • Temperature and moisture conditions for life in the extreme arid region of the Atacama desert: four years of observations including the El Nino of 1997-1998

    Christopher P. McKay;E. Imre Friedmann;Benito Gómez-Silva;Luis Cáceres-Villanueva

  • Evidence for perchlorates and the origin of chlorinated hydrocarbons detected by SAM at the Rocknest aeolian deposit in Gale Crater

    Daniel P. Glavin;Caroline Freissinet;Kristen E. Miller;Jennifer L. Eigenbrode

  • On the possibility of chemosynthetic ecosystems in subsurface habitats on Mars.

    Penelope J. Boston;Mikhail V. Ivanov;Christopher P. McKay

Frequent Co-Authors

Alfonso F. Davila
Alfonso F. Davila Ames Research Center
Rafael Navarro-González
Rafael Navarro-González National Autonomous University of Mexico
Paul R. Mahaffy
Paul R. Mahaffy Goddard Space Flight Center
Alberto G. Fairén
Alberto G. Fairén Cornell University
Owen B. Toon
Owen B. Toon University of Colorado Boulder
Wayne H. Pollard
Wayne H. Pollard McGill University
Sushil K. Atreya
Sushil K. Atreya University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
Peter T. Doran
Peter T. Doran Louisiana State University
Andrew Steele
Andrew Steele Carnegie Institution for Science
James B. Pollack
James B. Pollack Ames Research Center

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