Mentor Areas
I am a biogeochemist with a broad interest in the cycling of elements through the Earth system. My research focuses on the role of glacial meltwater in downstream biogeochemical cycles and, more recently, urban watershed biogeochemistry. I take particular interest in (i) the role of water and sediment chemistry in determining the structure and productivity of ecosystems, (ii) subglacial biogeochemical weathering processes, and (iii) the mobilization of nutrients and toxic elements in freshwater environments and export to coastal ecosystems. In the past I have been involved with research ranging from biogeochemistry of supraglacial (surface ice) environments (cryoconite – “ice dust”), to ice sheet hydrology (the flow of water and sediment through glaciers), water quality of groundwater aquifers in the Bahamas, and streams water quality in the Philadelphia region.
A large part of my research is based on field observations (sample collection for analysis in labs and electrochemical sensor deployment). Fieldwork has taken me to remote areas of the Arctic, Patagonia and the Himalayas. This has included sampling in Svalbard, Greenland, India and Chile. Additionally, I have collaborated on subglacial lake drilling projects in Antarctica (https://salsa-antartica.org), have worked in the tropics sampling groundwaters and have taught field skills on multiple field trips to the European Alps.
Description:
We're interested in investigating the flow and fluxes of nutrients and metals in Philadelphia waterways to see impacts of land use and human activity on aquatic ecosystems. We use advanced analytical instrumentation and methodologies to measure elements and compounds of environmental interest, and have the capacity for incubation experiments to mimic environmental conditions. Projects could center on toxic metal transport, organic carbon quality and cycling, geochemical weathering in temperate watershed, and/or nutrient cycling in impacted waterways.
Preferred Qualifications
- Background in chemistry, environmental science, and/or Earth science is preferable
- An interest in environmental chemistry
- A willingness to conduct field sampling around the Philadelphia area
- An interest in learning biogeochemical methods
Project Website
Learn more about the researcher and/or the project here. https://web.sas.upenn.edu/pennbiogeochem/
Details:
Preferred Student Year
First-year, Second-Year, Junior, Senior
Academic Term
Spring, Summer, Fall
I prefer to have students start during the above term(s).Volunteer
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to volunteers.Paid
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to paying students they engage in their research, regardless of their work-study eligibility.Work Study
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to hiring work-study-eligible students.