Lara Aston
Marine Sciences Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
1529 West Sequim Bay Road
Sequim, Washington 98382
lara.aston@pnl.gov
Biography
Ms. Lara Aston has a strong background in ecological restoration with a focus on the soil rhizosphere and biotransformation of hazardous compounds. She designed and implemented a research project to test the use of a native plant, along with its mycorrhizal symbiont, to revegetate heavy metal-contaminated soils in New Zealand. Ms. Aston is part of a small team of researchers working on the development of technologies for bioremediation of contaminants using select fungal species. Her current research involves the further use of filamentous fungi for environmental applications both for remediation and restoration as well as the development of a fungal-based marine biosensor.
Research Interests
- Use of mycorrhizal fungi to enhance restoration efforts
- Occurrence of mycorrhizas in native plant communities and their role in intra- and inter-specific competition and plant biodiversity
- Characterization of the soil rhizosphere in tidally influenced areas
Education and Credentials
- M.S., Science, University of Washington, 2004
- B.S., Environmental Science, Western Washington University, 1999
Affiliations and Professional Service
- Society for Ecological Restoration
- Air & Waste Management Association