Post Graduate Spotlight

Spencer Washburn

Spencer Washburn is a biogeochemist whose main research focus is the understanding of the cycling of trace metal contaminants in natural systems, with a particular interest in mercury. Spencer received a B.S. in Environmental Science and a B.A. in Chemistry from the University of Chicago and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 2018. His dissertation work was focused on using mercury-stable isotope ratios to understand Hg cycling within contaminated fluvial ecosystems, leading to five first-author publications and the receipt of the EESD John Dorr Graduate Academic Achievement Award. He recently completed a postdoctoral appointment at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, where he worked to develop an equilibrium passive sampler for methylmercury within sediment porewaters. Spencer began work as a postdoctoral research associate at ORNL in late summer of 2020, under the mentorship of Scott Brooks. At ORNL, Spencer is focused on understanding the impact of nutrient concentrations on mercury methylation within stream biofilms and periphyton. As part of this work, both field experiments in East Fork Poplar Creek and laboratory experiments with stream mesocosms are being conducted. In addition to scientific research, Spencer enjoys cycling, watching soccer, and hiking with his family.

Posted: July 2021