Environmental Transformations and Interactions
Functional and Systems Biology
Computing, Analytics, and Modeling
A Year in Review – EMSL in 2022
Looking back at this year's research and accomplishments
Postdoctoral researcher Robert Stanley was recently named national chair of the National Science Policy Network. (Photo by Andrea Starr | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)
The 2022 calendar year featured a range of new and groundbreaking research, emerging initiatives, a variety of major staff accomplishments, and a multitude of collaborative experiences at the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL).
Take a look back through the past year to reflect on all that has been accomplished, as well as opportunities that continue into the new year!
Groundbreaking research
Throughout the 2022 year, EMSL featured a range of research in the biological, environmental, and computational sciences. Check out the top four science highlights based on views and engagement on the EMSL website.
Understanding a Key Metabolic Pathway in Plants
Scientists delved deeper into an important plant cellular pathway that affects plant defense, growth and development, and adaptation to stressors.
Microbes and their Metabolites Affect Soil Dissolved Organic Carbon
This research shows how microbes producing or decomposing certain metabolites affect dissolved organic carbon concentration in soils.
Oxygen Levels Affect Carbon and Iron Chemistry in Tropical Soils
Scientists discovered how rapid changes in soil oxygen affect the cycling of carbon and iron in tropical rainforest soil.
Soil Depth Plays Role in Decomposition of Soil Organic Matter
A study of soil organic matter mineralization from more than two dozen locations across the United States reveals details about potential for decomposition and release of carbon dioxide.
Research proposal awards
Through EMSL’s various calls for research proposals, several dozen researchers were awarded access to use EMSL’s and partnering user facilities’ instruments and expertise. Check out the latest research proposal awards for 2022:
2023 EMSL Large-Scale Research Awards
New programs, initiatives, and accomplishments
The Molecular Observation Network
EMSL launched the 1000 Soils Research Pilot, which welcomed dozens of scientists to submit soil core samples from throughout the United States, which were processed, analyzed, and categorized into usable sets of data. The pilot served as a launching point for the larger Molecular Observation Network (MONet). MONet is being developed as a cutting-edge database of soil molecular and microstructural properties. In addition to leveraging existing soil databases, EMSL is partnering with researchers, institutions, and citizen scientists to collect and analyze soils from key ecosystems across the country. Check out the call for samples for MONet that opens in February.
Launching dual anonymous review pilot for exploratory call for proposals
For the first time this year, EMSL launched a dual anonymous review for the Fiscal Year 2023 Exploratory Call for research proposals. A certain level of bias, even unconscious bias, can play into the selection of proposals for research at science user facilities. Through the double-blind peer review process, neither the proposal submitter nor the proposal reviewer are aware of one another’s identities or have access to any identifiable information about previous research experience, background, associated personnel, or organizations. The process has been shown to facilitate greater equity and diversity in proposals selected. The awardees of this call have been notified and will be publicly announced next week on the EMSL website.
EMSL tutorial series
EMSL launched a new series of videos that feature instructional details, tools, and best tips regarding EMSL processes, programs, and resources. Check out the new tutorial series, which will continue to be expanded, on the EMSL LEARN website.
Staff accomplishments
EMSL scientists accomplished some great things in 2022. Check out the list of some of our scientist’s top accomplishments from throughout the past year.
Early career award
Emily Graham, the Biogeochemical Transformations Integrated Research Platform leader, is the recipient of a Department of Energy Early Career Research Program award. The competitive annual award comes with five years of research support that usually totals about $2.5 million. This year’s awardees represent 47 universities and 13 national labs in 29 states.
Highly cited researchers list
Two EMSL researchers made the list of Clarivate’s “Highly Cited Researchers for 2022.” Highly cited researchers demonstrate significant and broad influence in their field of research, which is reflected in their publication of multiple highly cited papers over the last decade. Chemist Mark Engelhard and materials scientist Chongmin Wang each made the list.
Washington State Academy of Sciences
Materials scientist Chongmin Wang was selected to join the Washington State Academy of Sciences. Additionally, Ljiljana Paša-Tolić, lead scientist for visual proteomics at EMSL, has been named to the academy’s board of directors. The academy comprises more than 300 elected members who are nationally recognized for their scientific and technical expertise.
National Science Policy Network
Robert Stanley, a postdoctoral research associate at EMSL, was recently elected national chair of the National Science Policy Network, a professional society composed of approximately 1,400 graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and early career members. The organization’s mission is to train new generations of diverse leaders in science communication and science policy to communicate the role of science in society.
Events and collaborative opportunities
EMSL led several events throughout the past year that welcomed collaborative discussions, presentations, and immersive experience in and around the biological, environmental, and computational sciences.
Summer School
Hundreds of PhD, postdoctoral, and early career scientists attended EMSL’s annual Summer School online to learn how to use advanced visualization, analysis, and modeling tools for soil analysis. Sessions included speakers from EMSL, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The sessions are available online on the EMSL LEARN website. Save the date for the 2023 Summer School: July 24–28.
Integration Meeting
EMSL welcomed more than 140 individuals to participate in its annual Integration Meeting, which welcomed users, science collaborators, and others from around the world to learn about scientific advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning in the biological and environmental sciences. Sessions are available to stream on the EMSL LEARN website. They were hosted both in-person and online.
EMSL LEARN webinars
EMSL hosted more than 20 webinars throughout 2022 that featured presentations, discussions, demonstrations, and informational details about EMSL science, the latest advancements in EMSL’s science areas, as well as information about new processes and programs. Check out each of the webinars on the EMSL LEARN website.