Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship

Not many graduate students, let alone undergraduates, get the chance to be part of cutting-edge international research at a synchrotron—a powerful circular particle accelerator. But Connor Dunn, a senior Environmental Science major and STARLAB research assistant, had exactly that opportunity. He spent a week in Gif-sur-Yvette, France, at the SOLEIL Synchrotron, diving deep into the study of iron speciation in some fascinating sediment samples.

The story behind these samples is just as intriguing as the research itself. They came from a shallow lake near the Smoking Hills in the Yukon Territory of Canada. This subarctic area is home to an incredible natural phenomenon: ancient lignite (coal) deposits beneath the surface that have spontaneously combusted. Yes, they’re on fire! And this fiery geological activity has transformed the surrounding environment. The nearby lakes are so acidic—some with a pH as low as 2—that they’re more acidic than vinegar. That’s where sediment cores were collected for analysis.

Connor’s work is helping to uncover the geochemical mysteries of these sediments, which are packed with trace elements. The extreme acidity of the lake makes it a great analog for studying acid mine drainage environments. Plus, the geology of the area is home to jarosite, a unique mineral that forms in acidic conditions and has been found on Mars. This connection makes the research doubly exciting since it could help us understand the role minerals like jarosite might play in sustaining hypothetical ancient microbial life on the Red Planet.

To take this research to the next level, Connor traveled to the SOLEIL Synchrotron. Here, electrons are accelerated to nearly the speed of light, creating beams of powerful X-rays. These X-rays are used to analyze elements in samples at an incredibly detailed level. Connor worked with scientists from France and beyond, learning how to operate the synchrotron, process data, and analyze samples to characterize the iron speciation in the sediments.

For Connor, the trip wasn’t just about science—it was a lesson in adaptability and collaboration. Under the guidance of Dr. Anthony Chappaz, the Director of the STARLAB and a professor in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Connor got hands-on experience and the chance to interact with postdocs and researchers from around the world.

Reflecting on the experience, Connor said it was invaluable—not only for the scientific insights but also for helping him shape his future career path. The scale and novelty of working at a synchrotron left a lasting impression, and it’s clear this is only the beginning of his journey into scientific discovery.