Transforming environmental understanding
Biogeochemistry, geomicrobiology, and ecohydrology research in our program examines the cycling of carbon, nutrients, and contaminants across interconnected Earth systems. Major themes include aquatic and climate-related processes, such as greenhouse gas dynamics and carbon fluxes; contaminant fate and transport, including metals and legacy pollutants; and microbial impacts on natural and engineered systems.
Our research aims to solve complex environmental challenges, with applications to sustainable water management, climate change mitigation, bioremediation, carbon storage, and responsible mineral resource development.
World-class research
Work with leaders in the field and conduct research in our state-of-the-art facilities. What could you do at Waterloo?
Research in 60
Take a minute to learn more about what our researchers are up to.
Meet our researchers
Nandita Basu, Professor
Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Global Water Sustainability and Ecohydrology
Director, Collaborative Water Program
Dr. Nandita Basu is internationally renowned in the fields of water sustainability and ecohydrology, where her team has laid critical groundwork to address both fundamental science and applied management questions on nutrient pollution in anthropogenic landscapes.
Tonya DelSontro, Assistant Professor
Dr. Tonya DelSontro is a limnologist with expertise in aquatic biogeochemistry, particularly greenhouse gas and carbon cycling. Her AquaGHG Lab is currently focused on investigating the role of managed and/or manmade waterbodies across Canada in the global carbon cycle and greenhouse gas budgets.
Jenine McCutcheon, Assistant Professor
Dr. Jenine McCutcheon studies microbe-mineral-fluid interactions in natural and engineered environments. She aims to understand how small-scale biogeochemical processes influence large-scale systems, with a particular focus on utilizing these reaction pathways to solve environmental challenges. Her work targets settings such as mine sites, wetlands, and polar habitats.
Fereidoun Rezanezhad, Research Professor
Dr. Fereidoun Rezanezhad's diverse research interests are united under the central theme of understanding mechanisms controlling subsurface hydrogeochemistry. He focuses on management practices of the fate of carbon, nutrients, and contaminants in soils, and the impacts of greenhouse gases emissions and biogeochemical processes between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere at watershed scales.
Philippe Van Cappellen, Professor
Canada Excellence Research Chair Laureate in Ecohydrology
Dr. Philippe Van Cappellen leads an interdisciplinary research team focusing on the biogeochemical processes that control water quality, ecosystem functions and environmental change, from local to global scales. His research portfolio includes soils, rivers, lakes, aquifers, coastal ecosystems, and urban water systems.
Want to study or partner with us?
Helping to shape and encourage the next generations of scientists is at the core of what we do. Prospective graduate students interested in studying with one of our faculty are welcome to reach out to them directly. You can also check out current student research opportunities in Earth.
Research is made better through strong collaboration. If you’re an industry leader looking to partner with us, we would love to hear from you.