Kristi Dobra

I am interested in how isotopes can be used to understand environmental processes.  My research is currently focused on how we can use barium isotopes as potential tracers of environmental disturbances in the Allegheny River watershed related to energy development.  Freshwater mussels are also a particular research interest of mine, and part of my research is focused on the examination of trace metals and barium isotopes in the shells of freshwater mussels to evaluate their use as a proxy for environmental geochemical shifts over time.