World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
Maria T. Zuber

Maria T. Zuber

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Best Female Scientists
2025
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Earth Science
USA
2026

D-Index & Metrics

Best Female Scientists

D-Index
118
Citations
43045
World Ranking
621
National Ranking
379

Earth Science

D-Index
121
Citations
43857
World Ranking
41
National Ranking
17

Maria T. Zuber publication distribution in Earth Science in 2026

The chart shows the distribution of publications by all Research.com ranked scientists in the field of Earth Science in 2026. The highlighted bar marks where Maria T. Zuber sits on this spectrum.

38–47 publications: 5 scientists 48–57 publications: 33 scientists 58–67 publications: 94 scientists 68–77 publications: 161 scientists 78–87 publications: 278 scientists 88–97 publications: 376 scientists 98–107 publications: 404 scientists 108–117 publications: 484 scientists 118–127 publications: 540 scientists 128–137 publications: 557 scientists 138–147 publications: 491 scientists 148–157 publications: 495 scientists 158–167 publications: 458 scientists 168–177 publications: 490 scientists 178–187 publications: 414 scientists 188–197 publications: 401 scientists 198–207 publications: 333 scientists 208–217 publications: 292 scientists 218–227 publications: 290 scientists 228–237 publications: 262 scientists 238–247 publications: 243 scientists 248–257 publications: 208 scientists 258–267 publications: 185 scientists 268–277 publications: 147 scientists 278–287 publications: 128 scientists 288–297 publications: 119 scientists 298–307 publications: 120 scientists 308–317 publications: 107 scientists 318–327 publications: 93 scientists 328–337 publications: 87 scientists 338–347 publications: 64 scientists 348–357 publications: 87 scientists 358–367 publications: 60 scientists 368–377 publications: 60 scientists 378–387 publications: 34 scientists 388–397 publications: 50 scientists 398–407 publications: 44 scientists 408–417 publications: 31 scientists 418–427 publications: 39 scientists 428–437 publications: 27 scientists 438–447 publications: 36 scientists 448–457 publications: 27 scientists 458–467 publications: 29 scientists 468–477 publications: 30 scientists 478–487 publications: 19 scientists 488–497 publications: 15 scientists 498–507 publications: 18 scientists 508–517 publications: 19 scientists 518–527 publications: 16 scientists 528–537 publications: 10 scientists 538–547 publications: 11 scientists 548–557 publications: 14 scientists 558–567 publications: 11 scientists 568–577 publications: 7 scientists 578–587 publications: 14 scientists 588–597 publications: 5 scientists 598–602 publications: 4 scientists 603+ publications: 100 scientists
38 publications 603+

This scientist: 877 publications — 100th percentile

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

The last bar groups every scientist with 603 publications or more.

Maria T. Zuber D-index placement in Earth Science in 2026

The chart shows the D-index (discipline H-index) distribution of Earth Science scientists ranked by Research.com in 2026. The highlighted bar marks where Maria T. Zuber sits on this spectrum.

30 D-Index: 144 scientists 31 D-Index: 215 scientists 32 D-Index: 278 scientists 33 D-Index: 379 scientists 34 D-Index: 366 scientists 35 D-Index: 372 scientists 36 D-Index: 389 scientists 37 D-Index: 366 scientists 38 D-Index: 344 scientists 39 D-Index: 349 scientists 40 D-Index: 296 scientists 41 D-Index: 289 scientists 42 D-Index: 277 scientists 43 D-Index: 279 scientists 44 D-Index: 248 scientists 45 D-Index: 257 scientists 46 D-Index: 212 scientists 47 D-Index: 202 scientists 48 D-Index: 207 scientists 49 D-Index: 204 scientists 50 D-Index: 183 scientists 51 D-Index: 178 scientists 52 D-Index: 182 scientists 53 D-Index: 178 scientists 54 D-Index: 163 scientists 55 D-Index: 117 scientists 56 D-Index: 163 scientists 57 D-Index: 120 scientists 58 D-Index: 113 scientists 59 D-Index: 136 scientists 60 D-Index: 135 scientists 61 D-Index: 96 scientists 62 D-Index: 103 scientists 63 D-Index: 83 scientists 64 D-Index: 103 scientists 65 D-Index: 83 scientists 66 D-Index: 89 scientists 67 D-Index: 92 scientists 68 D-Index: 89 scientists 69 D-Index: 78 scientists 70 D-Index: 75 scientists 71 D-Index: 53 scientists 72 D-Index: 62 scientists 73 D-Index: 54 scientists 74 D-Index: 35 scientists 75 D-Index: 52 scientists 76 D-Index: 50 scientists 77 D-Index: 32 scientists 78 D-Index: 37 scientists 79 D-Index: 20 scientists 80 D-Index: 33 scientists 81 D-Index: 36 scientists 82 D-Index: 34 scientists 83 D-Index: 34 scientists 84 D-Index: 24 scientists 85 D-Index: 19 scientists 86 D-Index: 18 scientists 87 D-Index: 26 scientists 88 D-Index: 30 scientists 89 D-Index: 17 scientists 90 D-Index: 21 scientists 91 D-Index: 19 scientists 92 D-Index: 15 scientists 93 D-Index: 14 scientists 94 D-Index: 20 scientists 95 D-Index: 9 scientists 96 D-Index: 10 scientists 97 D-Index: 15 scientists 98 D-Index: 13 scientists 99 D-Index: 3 scientists 100 D-Index: 13 scientists 101 D-Index: 3 scientists 102 D-Index: 9 scientists 103 D-Index: 4 scientists 104 D-Index: 6 scientists 105 D-Index: 6 scientists 106+ D-Index: 98 scientists
30 D-Index 106+

This scientist: 121 D-Index — 100th percentile

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

The last bar groups every scientist with 106 D-Index or more.

Research.com Recognitions

  • 2026 - Research.com Earth Science in United States Leader Award
  • 2025 - Research.com Best Female Scientists Award
  • 2025 - Research.com Earth Science in United States Leader Award
  • 2007 - Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
  • 2004 - Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
  • 2004 - Member of the National Academy of Sciences
  • 2001 - Fellow of American Geophysical Union (AGU)

Overview

Maria T. Zuber is affiliated with MIT in the United States, specializing in the fields of physics and astronomy. Their research primarily focuses on planetary science and exploration, with additional work in related subfields such as astronomy and astrophysics, aerospace engineering, molecular biology, atmospheric science, and general health professions.

Their work encompasses various topics, including planetary science and exploration, astro and planetary science, space exploration and technology, space science and extraterrestrial life, geology and paleoclimatology research, origins and evolution of life, and geomagnetism and paleomagnetism studies.

Maria T. Zuber has published multiple papers in notable scientific venues. Some recent publications include:

  • Improved LOLA elevation maps for south pole landing sites: Error estimates and their impact on illumination conditions, 2020, Planetary and Space Science
  • Observations, Meteorites, and Models: A Preflight Assessment of the Composition and Formation of (16) Psyche, 2020, Journal of Geophysical Research Planets
  • Moving academic research forward during COVID-19, 2020, Science
  • Confronting risks of mirror life, 2024, Science
  • Distinguishing the Origin of Asteroid (16) Psyche, 2022, Space Science Reviews

The scientist's frequent co-authors include David E. Smith, E. Mazarico, J. W. Head, G. A. Neumann, and M. A. Wieczorek.

The most common venues for their publications are:

  • The Planetary Science Journal
  • Space Science Reviews
  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
  • Journal of Geophysical Research Planets
  • Science

Maria T. Zuber has been recognized by several scientific organizations. They are a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) since 2007, a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences since 2004, a Member of the National Academy of Sciences since 2004, and a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) since 2001.

Best Publications

  • Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter: Experiment summary after the first year of global mapping of Mars

    David E. Smith;Maria T. Zuber;Herbert V. Frey;James B. Garvin

  • The Global Topography of Mars and Implications for Surface Evolution

    David E. Smith;Maria T. Zuber;Maria T. Zuber;Sean C. Solomon;Roger J. Phillips

  • The Crust of the Moon as Seen by GRAIL

    Mark A. Wieczorek;Gregory A. Neumann;Francis Nimmo;Walter S. Kiefer

  • Role of temperature‐dependent viscosity and surface plates in spherical shell models of mantle convection

    Shijie Zhong;Maria T. Zuber;Louis Moresi;Michael Gurnis

  • Internal Structure and Early Thermal Evolution of Mars from Mars Global Surveyor Topography and Gravity

    Maria T. Zuber;Maria T. Zuber;Sean C. Solomon;Roger J. Phillips;David E. Smith

  • The Mars Observer laser altimeter investigation

    M. T. Zuber;D. E. Smith;S. C. Solomon;D. O. Muhleman

  • Dawn at Vesta: Testing the Protoplanetary Paradigm

    C. T. Russell;C. A. Raymond;A. Coradini;H. Y. McSween

  • Gravity field of the Moon from the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission.

    Maria T. Zuber;David E. Smith;Michael M. Watkins;Sami W. Asmar

  • The Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter Investigation on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission

    David E. Smith;Maria T. Zuber;Glenn B. Jackson;John F. Cavanaugh

  • Ancient Geodynamics and Global-Scale Hydrology on Mars

    Roger J. Phillips;Maria T. Zuber;Maria T. Zuber;Sean C. Solomon;Matthew P. Golombek

  • Initial observations from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA)

    David Edmund Smith;David Edmund Smith;Maria Zuber;Gregory A. Neumann;Frank G. Lemoine

  • A New Lunar Digital Elevation Model from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter and SELENE Terrain Camera

    M.K. Barker;E. Mazarico;G.A. Neumann;M.T. Zuber

  • The Clementine Mission to the Moon: Scientific Overview

    Stewart Nozette;P. Rustan;L. P. Pleasance;D. M. Horan

  • The Shape and Internal Structure of the Moon from the Clementine Mission

    Maria T. Zuber;David E. Smith;Frank G. Lemoine;Gregory A. Neumann

  • Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Overview: The Instrument Suite and Mission

    Gordon Chin;Scott Brylow;Marc Foote;James Garvin

  • Mars high resolution gravity fields from MRO, Mars seasonal gravity, and other dynamical parameters

    Alex S. Konopliv;Sami W. Asmar;William M. Folkner;Özgür Karatekin

  • Hydrogen mapping of the lunar south pole using the LRO neutron detector experiment LEND.

    I. G. Mitrofanov;A. B. Sanin;W. V. Boynton;G. Chin

  • Crustal structure of Mars from gravity and topography

    G. A. Neumann;G. A. Neumann;M. T. Zuber;M. T. Zuber;M. A. Wieczorek;P. J. McGovern

  • The MESSENGER mission to Mercury: Scientific objectives and implementation

    Sean C. Solomon;Ralph L. McNutt;Robert E. Gold;Mario H. Acuña

  • Mars North Polar Deposits: Stratigraphy, Age, and Geodynamical Response

    Roger J. Phillips;Roger J. Phillips;Maria T. Zuber;Suzanne E. Smrekar;Michael T. Mellon

  • The crust of the Moon as seen by GRAIL

    M. A. Wieczorek;A. S. Konopliv;F. G. Lemoine;E. Mazarico

Frequent Co-Authors

Gregory A. Neumann
Gregory A. Neumann Goddard Space Flight Center
Sean C. Solomon
Sean C. Solomon Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
Erwan Mazarico
Erwan Mazarico Goddard Space Flight Center
Roger J. Phillips
Roger J. Phillips Washington University in St. Louis
James W. Head
James W. Head Brown University
Frank G. Lemoine
Frank G. Lemoine Goddard Space Flight Center
Sander Goossens
Sander Goossens Goddard Space Flight Center
Mark A. Wieczorek
Mark A. Wieczorek Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris
Jeffrey C. Andrews-Hanna
Jeffrey C. Andrews-Hanna University of Arizona

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