Project: Exploring EA-IRMS Methods to Measure Carbon Isotope Compositions of Biogenic Carbonates

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Bio

Katherine joined TEAL with a degree in Biochemistry and Evolutionary Anthropology from the University of Toronto, which no doubt influenced her current project finding the best method for isolating carbonate from bone bioapatite for EA-IRMS analysis. Her chemistry skills are frequently put to use in the lab answering questions about C1V1=C2V2 and remembering the SDS for various commonly used chemicals. She famously once remarked that she would be much more efficient if she could work in hexidecimal. 

Katherine is also the lab's resident lifeguard, and her presence at this year's lab pool party ensured that even those who are famously not fans of water felt comfortable being near the pool. Outside of the lab and lifeguarding, Katherine enjoys riding her bike (no matter the weather or time of night, much to the concern of lab manager Rachel), hanging out with her dog (simultaneously named Spectre, Beans, Chonky, and Creature), and boxing. Since joining the lab, Katherine went on a plane for the first time ever… and had to be talked out of going skydiving as her second ever time on a plane. 

With her love of fantasy and historical fiction, Katherine tries to read one chapter of Game of Thrones every night; she’s reached the final book (currently out) and aims to finish by the end of the year (or at least before the next book comes out!). Katherine loves the lab work and instrumentation portion of her research and can often be found entertaining her lab mates with tales of lifeguarding and Toronto-living. Bio by Rachel Dickenson.

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EAL Awards and Honours

🥇 2026 Lab Olympics Gold Medal: Microbalance Accuracy & Precision