Research

I am a geomicrobiologist with an interest in microbially-driven redox changes of minerals and microbial survival strategies in the deep subsurface. My PhD work focused on groundwater microbial communities capable of removal of an agro-pollutant (nitrate) and oxidation of iron phases under anoxic conditions. Currently, I am applying my knowledge to predict the extent of microbial activity in future geological nuclear waste repositories (DGRs) to ensure the long-term stability of their safety functions.

Projects

I am involved in the following international collaborations, experiments and research projects:

• The Kiruna Natural Analogue (KiNa) - Natural analogue study in Kiruna mine in Sweden. Investigates the formations of smectite-rich clay occurring adjacent to magnetite deposits to explore the long-term evolution of bentonite components of a geological disposal system for radioactive waste.
• High Temperature Effects on Bentonite Buffers (HotBENT) - Generic-DGR-full scale long-term experiment based in Grimsel Test Site. Aims to evaluate current accepted safety functions by investigating the effects of high temperatures on bentonite-based barriers and their safety functions. 
• IC-A: Iron Corrosion - In-situ field study based in Mont Terri Rock Lab. Aims to investigate corrosion of waste canisters in bentonite buffers. 
• CONtainer CORrosion under Disposal conditions (ConCorD/EURAD) - Lab-based experiments run within EURAD initiative. Their goal is to optimise and evaluate the behaviour of materials for disposal containers in view of their long-term barrier performance. 
• Innovative and new Container/canister materials under disposal field conditions: Manufacturing feasibility and improved Durability (InCoManD/EURAD-2) - Lab-based experiments run within EURAD-2 initiative. Their goal is to test the microbial impact on novel canister candidate materials (e.g., ceramics, composites, materials with protecting coatings) that are potentially less prone to corrosion than currently tested materials.