BioXAS-Imaging endstation at the Canadian Light Source

During plenary lecture at the International Conference on X-ray Absorption Fine Structure in July 2018 (Krakow, Poland).

During plenary lecture at the International Conference on X-ray Absorption Fine Structure in July 2018 (Krakow, Poland).

Hi, I’m Gosia

I am a physicist by training and a beamline scientist at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory. I have an interdisciplinary research background and specialize in developing synchrotron techniques to explore biological and environmental processes. My research focuses on understanding how global pollutants like mercury behave within living systems.

At the Advanced Photon Source, my role is to advance the applications of synchrotron X-ray microscopy techniques in biological and environmental sciences through the eBERlight program, a new initiative at the Advanced Photon Source funded by the DOE/BER.

Before joining Argonne, I was a senior scientist at the Canadian Light Source, where I led the construction and commissioning of the BioXAS sector – a suite of three beamlines dedicated to biological applications of X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence microscopy.

We use these two techniques to reveal the distribution and speciation of elements (essential or toxic) in various biological and environmental specimens. You can read more about these techniques and the BioXAS-Imaging beamline in my Work section.

My favourite element is mercury (Hg) and I’ve been using synchrotron techniques to study its speciation and distribution in creatures as small as zebrafish larvae and as big as whales. I’m especially interested in Hg accumulation in sensory organs and the detrimental effects associated with its accumulation.

I’m passionate about STEM education and love working with various school groups coming to Canadian Light Source through the Students on the Beamlines (SotB) program. You can read more about this innovative program here or head to my Work section for more details on my work for SotB as a science mentor.

I am a Homeward Bound (Cohort 7) alumna (12-month online training) and hope to further strengthen my learning by voyaging to Antarctica in 2025 with other HB7 graduates. Homeward Bound is a unique leadership development program aiming at equipping STEMM women from around the world with the skills to lead for the greater good and to be inclusive, collaborative and legacy-minded.

If there is anything here that has sparked your interest or if you would just like to say hi, I would love to hear from you!