Wil Leavitt
Associate Professor
Appointments
Associate Professor, Geology & Geophysics, University of Utah
Visting Scholar, Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College
Visting Scholar, Department of Earth & Planetary Science, Dartmouth College
Area of Expertise
geomicrobiology,
microbial geochemistry,
isotope geochemistry
Biography
Microbes are central players in cycling of matter and energy on Earth and have been since the origin of life. Microbial cells, enzymes and reactive intermediates drive the biogeochemical cycles on our planet by supporting the establishment and persistence of chemical gradients, reaction networks and ecosystems. We work to understand the fundamental microbiological and environmental controls that drive Earths' biogeochemical cycles. Using observations from stable isotope geochemistry, biochemistry and microbial physiology we work to constrain fluxes and transformation rates within a subset of elemental cycles central to life on Earth (C, H, O, N, S, P).
We have moved to the University of Utah starting January 2025.
Education
Ph.D. Earth & Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, 2014
A.M. Organismic & Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 2009
B.A. Natural Science, Hampshire College, 2006
Fossett Postdoctoral Fellow, Washington University St. Louis 2014-2016
Marine Biological Laboratory, Microbial Diversity, 2008
Publications
see Google Scholar.
Contact