A Major Honor for a Leading Scientist

On September 4, 2025, the exceptional Dr. Dorthe Dahl-Jensen, a globally recognized polar researcher, was elected as one of the prestigious International Fellows by the Royal Society of Canada (RSC). This honor is awarded to only four distinguished scholars each year, emphasizing her remarkable contributions as a non-citizen researcher in Canada.

"It is an unbelievable honor to become a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. It means a lot to me to be recognized for the research I do at the University of Manitoba," Dr. Dahl-Jensen expressed, underscoring her dedication to advancing climate science.

Leading the Charge in Arctic Research

As a Canada Excellence Research Chair at the University of Manitoba's Centre for Earth Observation Science, Dahl-Jensen is pushing the boundaries of climate research. Her recent work on the Müller ice cap at Axel Heiberg Island made significant waves when she successfully drilled the deepest ice core ever extracted in Canada.

Dr. Feiyue Wang, a prominent professor at the Riddell Faculty, praised her, noting, "Dr. Dahl-Jensen is among the top scientists in glaciology, making great strides in understanding past climate patterns by analyzing ice cores from Greenland and beyond."

Impressive Academic Contributions

Dahl-Jensen’s research has appeared in renowned academic journals like Nature and Science, with an impressive citation count of over 23,000 for her collaborative work across the globe. Her expertise doesn't just stop in Canada; in Denmark, she is a respected professor at the Niels Bohr Institute, having received numerous accolades including the Knight of Danneborg 1st Order and the International Glaciology Society’s Seligman Crystal.

A Global Impact on Climate Research

Her groundbreaking contributions have far-reaching implications. In 2023, she led an international team that drilled a remarkable 2,670-meter ice core on the North Greenland Ice Stream, revealing the alarming rate at which ice is melting beneath the surface—a critical finding for predicting future sea level rise. Continuing her leadership in 2025, her team reached a record-breaking depth of 2,800 meters in Antarctica, uncovering ice that is over 1.2 million years old.

As Dr. Mario Pinto, Vice-President of Research and International at the University of Manitoba, noted, "Her pioneering ice core research enhances our understanding of Earth’s complex climate system, offering vital insights for global decision-makers in the fight against climate change."

A Proud Moment for the University of Manitoba

Dahl-Jensen will be formally inducted into the Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences Division of the RSC Academy III in November 2025. She will be joined by fellow honorees from the University of Manitoba: Sean Carleton from the Department of History and Humaira Jaleel, a recent Law graduate recipient of the Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella Prize.

Dr. Dorthe Dahl-Jensen’s story is not just a personal victory; it represents a significant milestone in the global effort to combat climate change, ensuring the research community stays engaged and informed.