Laura Wasylenki

About

Dr. Laura Wasylenki is a Retired Professor in the School of Earth and Sustainability at Northern Arizona University, after serving on the faculty 2018-2025 and directing SESAME Lab (Systematic Experimental Study and Analysis of Metals in the Environment). She and her students and postdocs investigated the controls on the abundances of biologically essential trace metals in the global oceans through geologic time, as well as the chemical reactions that govern transport of heavy metal contaminants in natural waters and soils. Now, Dr. Wasylenki provides coaching and advice for early-career academics. She teaches writing skills, does some editing, and is currently reading the psychology literature to devise ways to help early-career scientists better manage stress.

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. Geology, California Institute of Technology
• M.S. Geology, California Institute of Technology
• B.S. Geology and Symbolic Systems, Stanford University

Research Impact

Dr. Wasylenki has made significant contributions to environmental geochemistry and biogeochemistry, with continuous NSF and NASA funding for 21 years.

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

Graduate Student Supervision

Dr. Wasylenki mentored graduate students and postdocs 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 and NASA research initiatives
• Leader in metal stable isotope research community

Current Research Focus

Dr. Wasylenki’s research advanced:

• 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 housed state-of-the-art equipment for:

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