Assistant Professor Benjamin Kocar is a biogeochemist who studies chemical, physical and biological processes governing the cycling of elements in ecosystems. Prior to joining MIT, he was a scientist at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), where he supported several x-ray imaging and spectroscopy beamlines. Before SSRL, he was a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Environmental Earth System Science at Stanford University. He received the Ph.D. in geological and environmental sciences in 2008 from Stanford University; his doctoral research focused on understanding the coupled biogeochemical-hydrogeologic processes releasing natural arsenic to Asian groundwaters. He received a B.S. in soil and environmental science and a B.S. in chemistry-biochemistry in 2000 and an M.S. in soil and environmental chemistry in 2002, all from Montana State University, Bozeman.
Anthonys research focuses on deciphering the role of photochemical processes on the cycling of nom (particulate and dissolved) in soils and freshwater systems. He completed his PhD in environmental (atmospheric) chemistry in the Kroll group at MIT and his BA in chemistry and environmental studies at Bowdoin College. 
I am a third year graduate student in Civil and Environmental Engineering. My research interests sit at the intersection of groundwater chemistry and groundwater hydrology, with a particular interest in contaminant transport and evolution. My current research is focused on the sorptive properties of radium on various mineral surfaces in a variety of conditions. Outside of research I am an avid bass player, and I perform frequently with the MIT Symphony Orchestra, as well as in other smaller venues. 
I am a 3rd year PhD student with research focus on understanding radionuclide transport in natural environments. More specifically, I am looking at radium and radon isotope transport in sub-surface systems as a result of alpha recoil. My current project involves radium transport in hydraulic fracturing wastewater. 
Claudia's research focus is on the biogeochemical cycling of organic matter in the environment. Her current research is focused on the photochemical degradation of particulate organic matter and its affects on the cycling of contaminants, specifically mercury. She is interested in looking at how photo degradation of organic material affects its bioavailability to microorganisms. She will also explore the effects of minerals on these photochemical transformations. She began graduate school at MIT in the fall of 2014. 
Bio coming soon.... 
Charles is working in our lab as an undergraduate (UROP) student; he is using FTIR to examine compositional changes in solid-phase organic matter during photoirradation