Graduate research opportunities are enhanced by The Environmental Geochemistry Laboratory which provides exceptional instrumentation and unique field opportunities creates. Graduates students have been involved in various field projects at Kellogg Biological Station and have participated in oceanographic and limnological cruises including the use of submersibles in the Great Lakes. Research and teaching assistantships are available for students pursuing studies in the following areas. Organic Geochemistry Paleoecology Dietary reconstruction, comparative biochemistry, and phylogenetic analysis are all possible through analysis of organic remnants preserved in fossils. We have approached dietary reconstruction and comparative biochemistry with isotopic and molecular analysis of the ancient organic matter.
Phylogenetic analysis relies on protein sequencing methods.
The fascinating fields of paleoclimatology and paleolimnology can be approached using organic geochemical and isotopic techniques. Work on sediment cores from northern fjords have provided us with records of past climates and environments. We have currently working on evaluating historical trends in primary production in the Great Lakes using compound specific isotope analysis. The assessment of ancient organic mater relies on a clear understanding of transformations during degradation. Our goal is to develop three dimensional models of microbial transport and biodegradation of volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons in the subsurface.