Laura Wasylenki

About

Dr. Laura Wasylenki is a Professor of Biogeochemistry in the School of Earth and Sustainability at Northern Arizona University, where she also holds appointments in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. She has been a faculty member since 2018 and directs the SESAME (Systematic Experimental Study and Analysis of Metals in the Environment) laboratory.

Research Interests

Environmental Geochemistry

• Chemistry of transition and post-transition metals in natural systems
• Chemical reactions governing mobility of toxic heavy metals in waters and soils
• Environmental transport and fate of metal contaminants
• Geochemical processes in soil and water systems

Metal Stable Isotope Systematics

• Development and application of metal stable isotope techniques
• Isotope fractionation processes during biogeochemical reactions
• Using metal isotopes to trace environmental and geological processes
• Advanced analytical techniques for isotope analysis

Paleoceanography and Marine Geochemistry

• Trace metal chemistry of modern and ancient oceans
• Reconstruction of past ocean conditions using geochemical proxies
• Metal cycling in marine environments
• Understanding ocean chemistry evolution through Earth’s history

Education

• Ph.D. Geochemistry
• M.S. Chemistry/Earth Sciences
• B.S. Chemistry/Geology

Research Impact

Dr. Wasylenki has made significant contributions to environmental geochemistry and biogeochemistry, with over 3,300 citations of her research. Her thirty-two peer-reviewed publications have an h-index of 27, reflecting the high impact of her work in the field.

SESAME Laboratory

Dr. Wasylenki directs the Systematic Experimental Study and Analysis of Metals in the Environment (SESAME) laboratory, which focuses on two main research themes:

Modern and Ancient Ocean Metal Cycling

• Investigation of transition metal behavior in marine systems
• Understanding metal availability and cycling in modern oceans
• Reconstruction of ancient ocean conditions using metal geochemistry
• Paleoceanographic applications of metal isotope systems

Environmental Heavy Metal Transport

• Study of toxic heavy metal mobility in natural systems
• Understanding factors controlling metal contamination
• Development of methods for environmental remediation
• Assessment of metal bioavailability and toxicity

Major Research Contributions

End-Permian Mass Extinction Research

• Co-authored influential research in Nature Communications
• Used nickel isotope analysis to confirm cause of end-Permian mass extinction
• Advanced understanding of metal cycling during major Earth system transitions
• Demonstrated applications of metal isotopes to major geological events

Metal Isotope Method Development

• Pioneering work in metal stable isotope geochemistry
• Development of analytical techniques for environmental applications
• Innovation in isotope measurement and interpretation
• Leadership in applying isotope methods to environmental problems

Research Applications

Dr. Wasylenki’s research addresses critical questions in:

• Environmental remediation - Understanding metal contamination and cleanup
• Climate science - Using ocean chemistry to understand past climate
• Earth system science - Investigating major geological transitions
• Public health - Assessing toxic metal exposure and transport

Graduate Student Supervision

Dr. Wasylenki mentors graduate students in:

• Environmental geochemistry laboratory techniques
• Metal stable isotope analytical methods
• Paleoceanographic research approaches
• Environmental monitoring and assessment
• Professional development in geochemistry

Professional Recognition

• Fellow/member of professional geochemical societies
• Reviewer for major geochemistry and environmental science journals
• Contributor to National Science Foundation research initiatives
• Leader in metal stable isotope research community

Current Research Focus

Dr. Wasylenki’s ongoing research continues to advance:

• Applications of metal isotopes to environmental and geological problems
• Understanding of metal cycling in Earth system processes
• Development of new analytical techniques for isotope geochemistry
• Integration of experimental and field-based approaches

Laboratory Facilities

The SESAME laboratory houses state-of-the-art equipment for:

• Metal stable isotope analysis
• Trace metal chemistry measurements
• Environmental sample preparation and analysis
• Experimental geochemistry studies