Patrick De Deckker is a geologist who uses microfossils to reconstruct past environments and climates. He holds a PhD in Zoology from the University of Adelaide where he studied salt lakes, their chemistry, biota and history. He also spent much time investigating the oceans in the Australian region, again by paying attention to their biota, chemistry and palaeoenvironments. 

He obtained a DSc in Geology from the University of Adelaide for his work on past climates. Patrick is now Emeritus Professor at ANU and continues to do research very actively, especially on past environmental change in our oceans. He was elected Fellow of the Academy of Science in 2012.