Who I am:

I am an ecosystem biogeochemist whose research interest lies within the areas of both basic and applied sciences, concentrating on questions formed to evaluate the impact of anthropogenic or chronic disturbances on ecological underpinnings of ecosystem resiliency and sustainability. I am drawn toward understanding the linkages between belowground nutrient cycling and ecosystem functions. I am interested in agroecological principles governing sustainable food production in times of diminishing natural resources and environmental change and the short and long-term consequences of climate variability on ecosystems services. In my research approach I investigate a variety of soil, air and plant indices that are most sensitive to environmental change.

My Fulbright grant focuses on:

The fate of heavy metals and microplastics in urban garden soils within a perimeter of a historic (established in the 10th century) city in Poland that ranked as the city with the worst air pollution in 2020. Urban gardening has been an intricate part of the global food supply. However, the benefits of urban gardening need to be balanced with potential risks of exposure to contaminants, such as heavy metals and microplastics.

I decided to apply for a Fulbright grant because:

I have heard a lot about this program from other colleagues who served as US Scholars and US Teaching Assistants who spoke very highly about their experiences. I chose Poland because I have had a number of interesting research collaborations with Polish scientists in the past and wanted to explore additional scientific questions that are currently investigated in my Polish host institution.

After completing my Fulbright grant I would like to:

–become a Fulbright mentor at my university. I will develop methodologies for studying heavy metals and microplastics and their possible pathways in human food systems. I will share my experiences in form of invited seminars and lectures and look for funding opportunities to continue Polish-US collaboration.