VESIL
Located on the campus of Salem State University, the Viking Environmental Stable Isotope Lab (VESIL) is dedicated to providing analytical services to students, researchers, and faculty from institutions nationwide.
We offer stable isotope and elemental analysis of several light elements, including carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur. Our lab is equipped to render analyses of solid samples such as sediments, plant materials, etc, as well as dried GF/F filters for liquid samples. Our continuous-flow EA/IRMS setup maximizes our sample throughput, providing high-quality services for competitive prices with short turnaround times. We are funded in part by NSF, USGS, ACS, Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET) and Massachusetts Bay National Estuary Program (MassBays).
Our Team
Brad Hubeny, Lab Director
I am an environmental geoscientist who utilizes stratigraphic, geomorphic, geochemical, and geophysical techniques to reconstruct past environmental and climatic conditions. Primarily I work in coastal and lake systems, and current research locations include Iceland, Chesapeake Bay, and Massachusetts' North Shore. Generally I am interested high-resolution records of climate variability during the Late Holocene and in pollution reconstructions (heavy metals, eutrophication) from industrialized watersheds. I direct the SSU Viking Environmental Stable Isotope Laboratory (VESIL) where we analyze CNS isotopes in samples as diverse as sediments, soils, vegetation, jellyfish, and fish. We collaborate with SSU departments, other universities, and state agencies. The lab was established with funds from the National Science Foundation, and funding sources include NSF, American Chemical Society, USGS, Mass Bays Program, and the Massachusetts Environmental Trust.
Renee Knudstrup, Lab Manager
A recent transplant from Michigan and a graduate from the University of, I studied geology and geochemistry with a focus on mercury transport + biogeochemical cycling. I found my passion post-graduation in the nexus of the geosciences, laboratory management, and scientific instrumentation. My interests are broad, ranging from paleoclimatology to nutrient cycling, though always seeking to utilize the many applications of stable isotopes to further our understanding of the natural world.
Contact Us
Please contact us with any questions or for the most up-to-date submission sheets!
Email SSU VESIL
Salem State University
Geological Sciences
Viking Environmental Stable Isotope Laboratory
Attn: Renee Knudstrup
70 Loring Avenue Rear
Salem, MA 01970