PI and research profile

Research profile

Isotope constraints across modern and past Earth—and beyond

The laboratory uses rare and stable isotopes for biogeochemical applications spanning atmospheric chemistry, environmental geochemistry, modern process studies, deep-time Earth history, and planetary systems.

A central project applies triple oxygen isotopes in atmospheric CO₂ to global carbon-cycle questions. Atmospheric CO₂ isotopologues integrate influences from fossil-fuel emissions, photosynthesis and respiration, isotope exchange with water, transport, and stratospheric photochemistry. The laboratory develops isotope-based approaches that complement conventional carbon-budget methods.

Atmospheric oxidation and environmental health

Ozone's distinctive isotope composition can be transferred during oxygenation reactions, making it useful for examining oxidation pathways. The group has applied this logic to particulate nitrate and is extending pollution research toward particle reactivity and collaborations with environmental epidemiology.

Geochemistry, hydrology, and paleoclimate

Triple oxygen and clumped isotopes provide tools for investigating water–rock interaction, geological archives, the isotope budget of Earth's hydrosphere, and past environmental change. Modern water-vapor and precipitation isotope monitoring also supports studies of cloud microphysics and hydrological cycling.

Planetary science

Planetary work characterizes atmospheric chemistry on Venus, Titan, exoplanets, and other bodies using customized chemical models. The scope includes gas-phase photochemistry and heterogeneous reactions involving ice in the outer solar system.