Reactions at mineral surfaces greatly influence several key (bio)geochemical processes including biomineralization, nutrient and trace element cycling and contaminant dynamics. We study the mechanisms and kinetics of mineral nucleation and growth and how these processes impact the speciation, sequestration or release/transport of various elements in Earth’s surface and (near-)subsurface environments.

Polar ecosystems are key to understanding how climate change affects our planet. We study the biotic and abiotic influences on glacier melt dynamics in Arctic environments. Through this we can better constrain the processes occurring in these environments which will allow us to better inform global models related to climate change processes.

Electron microscopy allows characterization of geomaterials at the microscopic to nano-scale. We specialize in the characterization of a wide-range of minerals including, but not limited to, silicates, (oxyhydr)oxides, sulfides, sulfates, carbonates and phosphates. In addition, we are developing novel high-resolution electron imaging and spectroscopic tools, as well as complex sample environments (e.g., liquid phase and cryogenic TEM, cryo-SEM), for the characterization of geomaterials.