Chad R. Hammerschmidt, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences
279 Brehm Lab
Wright State University
3640 Colonel Glenn Highway
Dayton, OH 45435

E-mail:
Office phone: (937) 775-3457
Dept phone: (937) 775-3455
Dept fax: (937) 775-4997

Courses Taught

Dr. Hammerschmidt teaches the following courses:

• Biogeochemistry Seminar (EES 499/GL 699), 1 credit hour, Fall quarter
• Aquatic Biogeochemistry (EES 499/GL 699), 3 credit hours, Winter quarter
• Effective Scientific Communication (EES 499/GL 699), 3 credit hours, Spring quarter

Research

Dr. Hammerschmidt earned a Ph.D. in oceanography from the University of Connecticut in 2005, and was a Postdoctoral Scholar at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution prior to joining Wright State University as an assistant professor in September 2007.  His research is focused on developing a quantitative understanding of the biological, chemical, and physical mechanisms and processes that affect the transport, transformation, and fate of mercury and other trace metals in the environment.  His recent and on-going studies are examining the biogeochemistry of mercury and methylmercury in arctic and temperate watersheds, marine systems (coastal and open ocean), and the atmosphere.

On-going major research projects include the following:

• Mercury and Methylmercury Cycling in Lakes and Tundra Watersheds of Arctic Alaska (Supported by NSF-Polar Programs).  Collaborative study with Bill Fitzgerald (University of Connecticut).  July 2000−present.

• GEOTRACES Intercalibration of Collection, Handling and Analysis Methods for Mercury Species in Seawater (Supported by NSF-Ocean Sciences).  Collaborative project with Carl Lamborg (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), Rob Mason (University of Connecticut), and Gary Gill (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory).  April 2008−March 2010.

• Vertical and Horizontal Distributions of Mercury Species in the South Atlantic Ocean (Supported by NSF-Ocean Sciences [to Lamborg] and Wright State University).  Collaborative project with Carl Lamborg (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution).  November 2007−present.

• Mercury Biogeochemistry on the Continental Shelf and Slope (Supported by NSF-Ocean Sciences).  Collaborative study with Bill Fitzgerald (University of Connecticut).  May 2008−April 2011.