Regular biography
Elsie M Sunderland is a Professor of Environmental Chemistry and Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Harvard University, affiliated with the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Her research focuses on environmental science and engineering, with particular attention to biogeochemical cycles, climate change, global contaminants, oceanography, and water. She serves as Director of Undergraduate Studies for Environmental Science & Engineering and is involved in teaching within this area. Her work includes studies on pollutants such as PFAS and methylmercury in marine environments.
Scholar-generated biography
Elsie Sunderland is an environmental chemist and marine scientist at Harvard University, specializing in biogeochemistry. Her research focuses on understanding the environmental fate and impacts of contaminants such as poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and mercury in aquatic systems. She investigates exposure pathways, health effects, and the global cycling of these pollutants, emphasizing their interactions with climate change and human activities. Her work includes modeling mercury's transport and deposition, as well as assessing risks from seafood consumption. Sunderland's research bridges environmental chemistry, marine science, and policy, aiming to inform sustainable management of marine and terrestrial ecosystems.