Welcome

BIOGEO_LAB_LOGO_WHITEThe Marin-Spiotta Biogeography and Biogeochemistry (BiogeoLab) Research Group in the Department of Geography at the University of Wisconsin-Madison investigates how landscape disturbances due to changes in climate and land use alter the accumulation and loss of biomass and biologically active elements within and across ecosystem boundaries. Our research draws from biogeochemistry, ecosystem ecology, soil science and biogeography. We combine field and laboratory measurements and geochemical techniques to identify elemental sources and sinks and quantify pools and process rates. Our research cuts across different spatial scales: from microscopic interactions between organic matter and mineral surfaces in soils, to stand-level forest dynamics, to regional soil carbon inventories. We also conduct interdisciplinary and collaborative research on strategies for broadening participation in STEM, transforming workplace climate, and integrating anti-racism into STEM research and pedagogy. For this work, we draw from sociology of organizations, psychology, the learning sciences, and environmental history.

We aim for our work and interactions to follow the Department of Geography’s Values Statement.

Research Interests

  • Terrestrial carbon cycle dynamics
  • Plant-litter-soil organic matter decomposition continuum
  • Mechanisms of soil organic matter formation and stabilization
  • Links between soil and aquatic carbon cycling
  • Interactions between changing biodiversity and biogeochemical cycling
  • Legacies of land use in tropical landscapes
  • Strategies for recruitment, retention and promotion of underserved and marginalized groups in STEM
  • Improving workplace climate through bystander intervention and research ethics training
  • Anti-racism in STEMM pedagogy

Prospective Students, Post-Docs and Visiting Scholars

My lab welcomes graduate and undergraduate students, postdocs, researchers and visiting scholars regardless of race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or disability status. If you are interested in joining my research group, please send me an email describing your research interests and experience, relevant academic and professional background (such as course or work experience) and your résumé or CV. You can find more information about the graduate program in Geography at UW Madison here. Opportunities exist for collaboration with the Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment (SAGE), the Center for Climatic Research (CCR), the Land Tenure Center (LTC), the Center for History and the Environment (CHE), Center for Ecology and the Environment (CEE), the Center for Limnology (CFL), and the Tropical Ecosystem Research Collaborative (TERC). 

Return to UW website.

Read about the earth systems geography research group. (February 2018)

Professional Organizations and Networks

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