Staff Profile

Laura C. Motta

Preferred Name: Laura C. Motta

ASSISTANT SCIENTIST

MARINE CHEMISTRY & GEOCHEMISTRY

Email: laura.motta@whoi.edu

Phone: 508 289 3137

Office: CLARK 4 

Address:
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution,   Mail Stop 25
266 Woods Hole Road
Woods Hole, MA 02543

Some Info I joined WHOI as an Assistant Scientist in 2023. Before that, I was a postdoc at the University at Buffalo, working in theoretical chemistry of heavy elements. I also spent time in South Korea as a postdoc at POSTECH, working on marine plankton. I received a Dual Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences and Chemistry from the University of Michigan.

Education

Ph.D., Environmental Sciences and Chemistry, University of Michigan (Dual Degree 2019)

 

B.A., Chemistry, Rutgers University (2013)

Research Statement

My research involves an interdisciplinary approach to answering critical questions about marine biogeochemical cycles via seagoing fieldwork, laboratory experiments, and theoretical chemistry.

In my research, the central theme is the measurement, modeling, and interpretation of stable isotope patterns (or fingerprints) found in marine environments. I am particularly interested in non-traditional isotope effects. Although I have mainly concentrated on studying mercury cycling, I am looking into exploring the connections between mercury and sulfur biogeochemistry.