Jeffrey Cornwell

Jeffrey Cornwell is a biogeochemist who works on a variety of applied and basic scientific problems.  At Hobart College, his undergraduate chemistry degree morphed into theenvironmental chemistry of mercury in Seneca Lake. At the University of Alaska, his graduate work on nutrient and metal cycling in arctic lakes was followed by marine geochemical studies at Texas A&M on iron sulfide minerals.  At UMCES, his research has taken him to a number of estuarine sites on US east and west coasts, freshwater lakes and reservoirs at many different locations, wetlands in the US and Canada, and oyster studies in the Chesapeake region and Hong Kong.    Research highlights include:

• Studies of microbial nitrogen removal in sediments of the Chesapeake, Florida, San Francisco Bay and other estuaries.
• Biogeochemical processes in large reservoirs (Conowingo, Spokane) and small reservoirs in Maryland and beyond.
• Incorporation of nutrient removal studies with oysters into management-related policy
• Nutrient balances in tidal wetlands , including the large-scale wetland creation at Poplar Island.

His 23 graduate students have had careers including undergraduate education, university research, government agencies, and consulting firms.  A 40 year resident of Cambridge, Maryland, he has coached numerous kids athletic teams and is been member of the local Rotary Club.