Luba Vasiluk

Our Research group studies the relationships between metal speciation in environmental media and toxicity, and how that relationship is modified by soil characteristics and remediation amendments. At present our focus is: research methodology and experimental design for measuring the ecotoxicity of nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) in soil to microbial activity, to soil-dwelling organisms and higher plants (including boreal); research the role of dissolved organic matter in modifying bioaccessibility and of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in a variety of soils and soil solutions that vary in organic matter and pH; research methodology and experimental design for measuring the toxicity of three REEs - singly and in mixture in multiple soils with different cation retention capacity.

As a Research Project Manager in the Hale Lab, I oversee graduate and undergraduate researchers in the laboratory, perform all aspects of lab management, conduct my own research under our PI Dr. Bev Hale and participate in the writing of manuscripts for publication, laboratory protocols, posters for presentation, and research talks.