Our research focuses on understanding the fate and transport of organic compounds, organic contaminants in particular, in the environment and on the microbial processes which control carbon cycling in both contaminated and natural environments. Research in my lab uses both traditional and novel techniques to investigatequestions relating to topics ranging from organic contaminant sources and biodegradation in the environment to the metabolic processes and bio-signatures associated with microbial metabolism and carbon cycling in extreme environments. The common theme in this research is to understand the fundamental processes that control the environment around us and the impact that life, including industrial society, has on the environment and vice versa.

Research opportunities exist in several research areas for both M. Sc. and Ph. D. candidates. If you are interested in environmental issues and in the protection and remediation of contamination with the goal of protecting human health and the environment, or are interested in helping to generate a better understanding of the cycling of carbon and the biosignatures of life on earth as they pertain to astrobiology, or if you have another interest which you think multiple isotope techniques can help with, contact Greg at

slaterg@mcmaster.ca