Doctoral students will engage in expert- and peer-led workshops to enhance skills that are crucial for their success. Scientific writing constitutes a major part of this course. Additional topics will be chosen by students and could include publishing, data visualization, genAI and presentation skills. Students will bolster their scientific networks by learning and collaborating with peers.

Geochemistry: C-sequestration in glacial flood plains, soil formation on different bedrocks, nutrient scavenging in lakesGeo-Ecology: Geochemical, hydrologic, atmospheric interactionsGeo-Microbiology: Pioneering organisms in "new" habitats in glacial retreat areas, their role in carbon cycling. Microbes dissolving/forming mineralsLifestyles: Physiological adaptation to extreme conditions

1. Analysis of organic molecules in extracts from soils of different ages in glacial flood fields, in altitudinal gradients from different bedrocks, from sediments, from Cryoconites in glacial ice and from living biofilms in high altitude aquatic ecosystems, and from mineral springs.2. Analysis of matrix components of the ecosystems: dissolved compounds, minerals, clays, trace metals.

The carbon cycle connects different reservoirs of C, including life on Earth, atmospheric CO2, and economically important geological reserves of C. Much of this C is in reduced (organic) form, and is composed of complex chemical structures that reflect diverse biological activity, processes and transformations.

The Precambrian Earth experienced several environmental states—all drastically different from today—that are recorded in sedimentological, fossil, and genetic records. We will review "classic" and more recent scientific literature on the evolution of chemical and biological processes to critically evaluate what we do and don't know about how our planet's biogeochemistry has changed through time.

Transfer and redistribution of material on Earth’s surface is controlled by myriad processes. To investigate these, this course will address the production, transport, and deposition of sediments and will probe their interactions with biogeochemical cycles. We will integrate catchment-scale sediment dynamics with associated (organic) carbon cycling at all stages of the “source to sink” continuum.