POSITIONS:

Assistant Professor, University of Vermont Department of Geology –  January 2004 – current

Director, University of Vermont iRWE Environmental Microbiology Laboratory – January 2006 - current

Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Delaware College of Marine Studies – August 2002 - January 2004

 RESEARCH INTERESTS

 I study the interdependence of microbial activity and geochemical cycling in a range of environments.  The goal is to gain insight on defining the role of microbes in different environments and how much they affect the stability and transport of a variety of compounds in those environments.  Germaine topics addressing these questions include the kinetics of redox reactions, molecular clusters and reactions driving nanoparticle formation and dissolution, relating microbial ecology to geochemical niches, and the application of thermodynamic, kinetic, and molecular models to predictive analysis of environmental perturbation.

This research is complimented by the development and application of new methods for analyzing redox chemistry and nanoparticulate materials associated with microbial activity.   The application of in situ redox sensors and new techniques for chromatographic identification and quantification of redox species, molecular clusters, and nanoparticles is of particular interest.  Coupling geochemical and microbial ecology dynamics through rigorous characterization of the redox chemistry, nutrient availability, and other geochemical constraints is approached, in collaboration with Dr. Donna Rizzo (UVM), through the application of artificial neural net algorithms.

 Environments of current interest include several acidic mine drainage sites, hydrothermal sites in Yellowstone National Park, Frasassi caves in central Italy, Green Lake in NY,  natural and constructed wetlands, Lake Champlain, tidal flats on the Atlantic seaboard, and sites in the Aeolian Islands of Italy.

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Geochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison.  September, 2002.  Dissertation: Sulfur Biogeochemistry: Kinetics of Intermediate Sulfur Species Reactions in the Environment.  Advisor: Dr. Jillian F. Banfield.

M.S., Geology, Washington State University. May 1998.  Thesis: Geothermal Systems in the Idaho Batholith: Geology and Geochemistry.  Advisor: Dr. Philip Rosenberg.

B.S., Geology, Earth Science, and Chemistry (minor). Muskingum College, New Concord, OH.  May 1995. Honors Thesis: The variation of iron and arsenic concentrations in the surface water of an acid mine drainage area at the Wills Creek Reservoir.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

• 2006 AGU Meeting in San Francisco on  "Biogeochemistry of Extreme Environments"
• 2006 ACS National meeting in San Francisco on "Frontiers in Geochemistry"
• 2005 Goldschmidt Meeting in Moscow, Idaho on “Geochemical controls on microbial processes”.
• 2003 ACS national meeting in New Orleans on "Metal sulfide chemistry". 

Reviewer for the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Environmental Science and Technology, Aquatic Geochemistry, Journal of Geophysical Research, Geobiology, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, and Geochemical Transactions.

 Panel member, Environmental Protection Agency Graduate Fellowships panel, February 14-16, 2006.

 Guest Editor, Geobiology Special Edition “Geochemical controls on microbial processes”, in press

Associate Editor, Geobiology Journal

Associate Editor, Geochemical Transactions

Associate Editor, Aquatic Geochemistry

Member of the ACS Division of Geochemistry, Geochemical Society, Mineralogical Society, American Geophysical Union.

Member of the Lake Champlain Basin Program’s advisory board on Toxics in Lake Champlain.

Member of the Saint Albans Bay remediation assessment advisory board

PUBLICATIONS

 Bond P.L., Druschel G.K., and Banfield J.F., 2000: Comparison of acid mine drainage microbial communities in physically and geochemically distinct ecosystems. Applied And Environmental Microbiology, Vol. 66, Iss. 11, pp 4962-4971.    

Druschel, G.K., Emerson, D., Sutka, R., and Luther, G.W., in review: Low oxygen and chemical kinetic constraints on the geochemical niche of neutrophilic iron(II) oxidizing microorganisms.  Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta.

Druschel., G.K., Hartmann, A., Lomonaco, R. and Oldrid, K., 2005: Determination of sediment phosphorus concentrations in St. Albans Bay, Lake Champlain: Assessment of internal loading and seasonal variations of phosphorus sediment-water column cycling.  Report to the Vermont Agency of natural resources, 71 p., http://www.vermont.gov/cleanandclear/stalbansbay.htm

Druschel , G.K. and Borda, M., 2006: Comment on “Pyrite dissolution in acidic media” by M. Descostes, P. Vitorge, and C. Beaucaire.  Geochemica et Cosmochimica Acta, Vol. 70, p. 5246-5250.

Druschel G.K., Rosenberg P.E., 2001: Non-magmatic fracture-controlled hydrothermal systems in the Idaho Batholith: South Fork Payette geothermal system. Chemical Geology, Vol. 173, Iss. 4, pp 271-291.        

Druschel, G.K., Schoonen, M.A.A., Nordstrom, D.K., Ball, J.W., Xu, Y., And Cohn, C., 2003: Sulfur geochemistry of hydrothermal waters in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. III: An anion-exchange resin technique for sampling and preservation of sulfoxyanions in natural waters.  Geochemical Transactions Vol. 4, No. 3, p. 12-19.  

Druschel, G.K., Labrenz, M., Thomsen-Ebert, T., Fowle, D.A. and Banfield, J.F., 2002: Biogenic Precipitation of Monomineralic Nanocrystalline Sulfides: Implications of Observed and Modeled Processes to Ore Deposition.  Economic Geology Vol. 97, No. 6, p.1319-1329.

Druschel, G.K., Hamers, R.J., and Banfield, J.F., 2003: Kinetics and mechanism of homogeneous polythionate oxidation at low pH with oxygen and ferric iron.  Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta Vol. 67, No. 23, p. 4457-4469.         

Druschel, G.K., Hamers, R.J., Luther, G.W., and Banfield, J.F., 2003: Kinetics and mechanism of trithionate and tetrathionate oxidation at low pH by                 hydroxyl radicals.  Aquatic Geochemistry. V. 9 No. 2, p. 145-164.           

Druschel, G.K., Baker, B.J., Gihring, T.H., and Banfield, J.F., 2004: Acid mine drainage biogeochemistry at Iron Mountain, California. Geochemical Transactions Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 13-32.           

Druschel, G.K., Sutka, R, Emerson, D., Luther, G.W., Kraiya, C., and Glazer, B., 2004: Voltammetric investigation of Fe-Mn-S species in a microbially active wetland.  In: Proceedings of the Eleventh International Symposium on Water-Rock Interaction WRI-11.  Wanty, R.B. and Seal, R.R (eds.). p. 1191-1194.  

Edwards K.J., Bond P.L., Druschel G.K., McGuire M.M., Hamers R.J., Banfield J.F., 2000: Geochemical and biological aspects of sulfide mineral dissolution: lessons from Iron Mountain, California. Chemical Geology, Vol. 169, Iss. 3-4, pp 383-397.                

Gihring, T.M., Druschel, G.K., McCleskey, R.B., Hamers, R.J., and Banfield, J.F., 2001: Rapid arsenite oxidation by Thermus aquaticus and Thermus thermophilus: Field and laboratory investigations.  Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 35, No. 19, pp. 3857-3862.

Labrenz M., Druschel G.K., Thomsen-Ebert T., Gilbert B., Welch S.A., Kemner K.M., Logan G.A., Summons R.E., De Stasio G., Bond P.L., Lai B.,             Kelly S.D., Banfield J.F., 2001:  Formation of sphalerite (ZnS) deposits in natural biofilms of sulfate-reducing bacteria. Science, Vol. 290, Iss.                 5497, pp 1744-1747.       

Luther,  G.W., III, Glazer, B., Ma, S., Trouwborst, R., Schultz, B.R., Druschel G.K., Kraiya, C., 2003: Iron and sulfur chemistry in a stratified lake: Evidence for iron-rich sulfide complexes.  Aquatic Geochemistry V. 9, No. 2, p. 87-110.  

Luther, G.W. III, B. Glazer, S. Ma, R.E. Trouwborst, T.S. Moore, C. Kraiya, T.J.Waite, G. Druschel, B. Sundby, M. Taillefert, D.B. Nuzzio, T.M. Shank, 2007: Use of voltammetric solid-state (micro)electrodes for studying biogeochemical processes: laboratory measurements to real time measurements with an in situ electrochemical analyzer (ISEA). Marine Chemistry.

Macalady, J.L., Dattagupta, S., Schaperdoth, I., Albertson, L.K., Eastman, D., and Druschel, G.K., in review: Sulfide/oxygen supply ratio predicts outcome of competition among sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in cave waters.  Environmental Microbiology.

Mouser, P.J., Rizzo, D.M., O’Grady, P.O., Morales, S.E., Hayden, N., Druschel, G.K., and Stevens, L, in review: Assessing temporal changes in                     groundwater quality for a landfill-leachate contaminated aquifer using microbial community profiling.  Environmental Science and Technology 

Oduro, H. and Druschel, G.K., in prep: The Formation and Oxidation of FeS(aq) Molecular Clusters:  Decoupling Iron Sulfide Mineral Surface Dissolution and Oxidation Reactions.

Roesler, A.J., Gammons, C.H., Druschel, G.K., Oduro, H., and Poulson, S.R., 2007: Geochemistry of flooded underground mine workings influenced by bacterial sulfate reduction.  Aquatic Geochemistry.

ABSTRACTS AND PRESENTATIONS

Druschel, G.K., 2006: In situ microelectrodes in the field and in the lab: New insights on iron-sulfur speciation and microbial function.  Presented to the Marine Sciences Program, University of South Carolina, March 23, 2007.

Druschel, G.K., Lorenson, G., Oduro, H., and McDermott, T., 2006.  Arsenic and sulfur transformations in hydrothermal spring waters and microbial mats of Yellowstone National Park.  Presented at the 2006 American Geophysical Union National Meeting, December 11, 2006.

Druschel, G.K., 2006: Linking chemistry and microbes: using in situ microelectrodes in the field and in the lab.  Presented to the Department of Geology, Virginia Tech University, November 2, 2006

Druschel, G.K., 2006: Linking chemistry and microbes: using in situ microelectrodes in the field and in the lab.  Presented to the School of Geography and Earth Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, October 25, 2006

Angel, R., Nagouker, N., and Druschel., G.K., 2006.  Community Analysis of Bacteria using T-RFLP technique across the Sediment at St. Albans Bay, Lake Champlain VT, U.S.A with Respect to Redox Gradient.  Presented at the 2006 International Society for Microbial Ecology International Meeting, Vienna, Austria, August 20-26, 2006.

Druschel., G.K., Lorenson, G.W., Eastman, D.E., Oduro, H., and Macalady, J. Voltammetric determination of iron, sulfur, and arsenic redox speciation in natural waters as a guide to microbial sampling strategies.  Presented at the 2006 National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, San Francisco, CA, September 11, 2006.

Druschel, G.K., 2006: Linking chemistry and microbes: using in situ microelectrodes in the field and in the lab.  Presented to Montana State Thermal Biology Program as part of a visiting scholar program, May 29, 2006.

Druschel, G.K., 2006: Linking chemistry and microbes: using in situ microelectrodes in the field and in the lab.  Presented to the Plant and Soil Sciences Department, University of Vermont, January 27, 2006

 Druschel, G.K., 2006: Minerals and Microbes: Field studies in California, Vermont, Montana, and Italy.  Presented to the Burlington Gem and Mineral Society, January 26, 2006.

 Druschel, G.K., 2006: In situ microelectrodes in the field and in the lab: Linking geochemical cycling with microbial activity.  Presented to the Department of Geology, University of South Florida, January 20, 2006.

 Druschel, G.K., Lorenson, G., Eastmann, D.A., Macalady, J., 2005: Redox speciation and biogeochemical gradients: Assessing spatial niches and monitoring dynamics in natural systems with voltammetric microelectrodes.  Presented at the 2005 National Meeting of the American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, CA, December 8, 2005

 Mouser, P.J., Rizzo, D.M., Druschel, G.K., O’Grady, P., and Stevens, L., 2005: Innovative Methods for Integrating Knowledge for Long-Term Monitoring of Contaminated Groundwater Sites: Understanding Microorganism Communities and their Associated Hydrochemical Environment.  Presented at the 2005 National Meeting of the American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, CA, December 8, 2005

 Druschel, G.K., 2005: Geochemical niches for microbes and details of sulfur cycling seen through the use of voltammetric microelectrodes.  Presented to the Geology Department, Massachussets Institute of Technology, October 28, 2005.

 Druschel, G.K., 2005: Tools and Methods for thinking about the role microbes play in environmental processes.  Presented to the Peace Partners: Arab-Israel-Vermont Global Water Resources Symposium, October 6, 2005.

 Druschel, G.K., 2005: Microbial Geochemistry: Field excursions and lab experiments to look at the links between microbes and geochemical cycling.  Presented to the Geology Department at Middlebury College, September 27, 2005.

 Druschel, G.K., 2005: In situ microelectrodes in the field and in the lab: Linking geochemical cycling with microbial activity.  Presented to the Geology Department of McGill University, September 23, 2005.

 Druschel, G.K., 2005: Methods to investigate sediment and water column redox chemistry changes associated with nutrient availability.  Presented at the PRIME Meeting, Tyler Place, VT, September 12

 Druschel, G.K., 2005: In situ microelectrodes in the field and in the lab: Linking geochemical cycling with microbial activity.  Presented to the School of Natural Resources, September 6, 2005.

 Druschel, G.K., Lorenson, G.L., Mouser, P., Rogers, D., Oduro, H., Hartmann, A., and Rizzo, D.M., 2005:  Using voltammetry in the environment to constrain microbial activity.  Presented at the annual EPSCoR meeting, Burlington, VT, August 15, 2005.

 Druschel, G.K., 2005: Determination of sediment phosphorus concentrations in St. Albans Bay, Lake Champlain: Assessment of internal loading and seasonal variations of phosphorus sediment-water column cycling.  Presented to the St. Albans Town Selectboard meeting, July 11, 2005.

 Lorenson, G., Rogers, D., Price, R., Edwards, K., and Druschel, G.K., 2005: Application of in situ Au-amalgam microelectrodes in Yellowstone National Park to guide microbial sampling.  Presented at the 2005 Goldschmidt Conference, Moscow, ID, May  2005.

 Druschel, G.K., Lorenson, G., Rizzo, D., Rogers, D, and Edwards, K., 2005: Field, lab, and computational tools and techniques for linking geochemical and microbial processes in a range of environments. Presented at the 2005 Goldschmidt Conference, Moscow, ID, May  2005.

 Druschel, G.K., 2005: In situ microelectrodes in the field and in the lab: Linking geochemical cycling with microbial activity.  Presented to the Geology Department at Washington University in St. Loius, MO March 23, 2005.            I

 Druschel, G.K., 2005: In situ microelectrodes in the field and in the lab: Linking geochemical cycling with microbial activity.  Presented to the Geology Department at Penn State University April 4, 2005.        I

 Druschel, G.K., 2004: Current state of research on P loading in St. Albans Bay, VT.  Presented to the St. Albans Bay Watershed Association, September 2004.     I

Druschel, G.K, Emerson, D., Luther, G.W. ., Sutka, R, Kraiya, C., and Glazer, B., 2004: Environmental limits of the circumneutral iron-oxidizing bacterial isolate ES-1: Field, culture, and kinetic results from voltammetric analyses.  Presented at the V.M. Goldscmidt Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark June 2004.                       RP

 Druschel, G.K., 2004: Models, tools, and observations regarding microbial activity: Metal sulfide formation and oxidation examples.   Presented to the faculty of Geology at the University of Göttingen, Germany June 2004.   I

RESEARCH GRANTS

VT DEC, A proposal for determination of sediment phosphorus concentrations in St. Albans Bay, Lake Champlain: Assessment of internal loading and seasonal variations of phosphorus sediment-water column cycling.  Druschel (PI) $25,000. funded, completed

ACS-PRF Type SE grant, support for ACS symposia on metal sulfide chemistry presented at the 2003 ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, USA. Druschel and Borda,  $3,600. funded, completed

VT EPSCoR Equipment Grant, Development of a biogeochemical kinetics reactor vessel as a tool for geology, chemistry, microbiology, environmental science, mathematics, and engineering to deconstruct complex environmental systems.  $9,842. funded, completed

UVM Dean’s Fund: Development of new in situ voltammetric probes for long term deployment in hydrothermal areas. Druschel,  $2,000. funded

VT EPSCoR Graduate Research Assistantship, Investigation of elemental sulfur oxidation as a biocomplexity model:  Coupling geochemical and microbial ecology data using Artificial Neural Networks. Druschel.  1 year graduate assistantship for completed masters student.

American Chemical Society, Petroleum Research Fund: Formation and oxidation of FeS_(aq) molecular clusters – Decoupling iron sulfide mineral surface dissolution and oxidation reactions.  Druschel (PI), $35,000.  funded, completed

HELiX Award to A. Hartmann, G. Druschel, advisor: Evaluating the effect of sedimentary Fe/S redox changes coupled with P and N release in St. Albans Bay, Lake Champlain and its effect on secondary algal blooms over the course of the summer.  

NSF-REU supplement: Microbial community controls on sulfide oxidation rates and cave formation in a subsurface biogeochemical system.  Macalady (PI), Druschel (Collaborator). 22,788.  funded, compleetd

USDA: Environmentally friendly product: Alternative technologies for phosphorus removal from agricultural effluents.  Drizo (PI), Co-PI's: Druschel, Ross.  $168,209.   funded, active

National Science Foundation, Earth Sciences, 2005: Piloting an Interdisciplinary Watershed Field Camp.  PI: Bierman, Co-PI’s: Druschel, Wemple, Rizzo, Watzin.  $151,522.  funded, active

National Science Foundation, Earth Sciences: Experimental determination of Fe isotope fractionation in sulfide minerals.  PI: Johnson; Co-PI’s: Druschel, Schoonen.   $ 450,000  (UVM portion  is $149,725).  funded, active