Collegium Helveticum
Switzerland
fellow
Brandy Toner
2025-2026
Home institution
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Country of origin (home institution)
United States
Discipline(s)
Chemistry; Earth, environmental and climate sciences; Geography; Interdisciplinary Studies
Theme(s)
Environment, Sustainability & Biodiversity
Fellowship dates
›
Biography
Brandy Toner’s research focuses on the reactivity, transport potential, and specific chemical forms, the so called "speciation” of metals in the environment. Natural materials such as soils, sediments, and water are compositionally complex across a wide range of spatial scales. Metal speciation is further influenced by physical and biotic processes, as well as by the speciation of other elements, including carbon and sulfur.
Given this complexity, Brandy typically works in collaborative teams and applies a multidisciplinary approach to environmental systems. Within these teams, she specializes in measuring the solid-state chemistry of natural materials using a variety of micro- to nano-scale imaging, spectroscopy, and diffraction techniques for elements such as carbon, sulfur, and iron. Her work is primarily carried out at synchrotron and electron microscopy user facilities. This approach provides detailed insight into mineralogy and co-occurring materials, including organic matter and microbial associations with minerals.
Research Project
Chemical Processes in Aquatic Systems
In this project, Brandy Toner plans to study natural organic matter and pollutants in aquatic systems, including micro- and nano-plastics.
A long-standing aspect of her research focuses on the speciation and transport of iron in the deep ocean. Several years ago, her deep-sea samples began showing unusual chemical signatures, and it now appears that nano-plastics are present in the deep waters of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Brandy is interested in advancing her understanding of mass spectrometry techniques for the diagnostic analysis of nano-plastics. She is also eager to learn and practice new communication strategies for conveying environmental stories to undergraduate students and the public—particularly those environmental issues that require collective action, rather than changes in individual lifestyle choices alone.
Research Interests:
aquatic chemistry; natural organic matter; microplastics; nanoplastics; deep ocean; iron cycling; marine chemistry; mass spectrometry; environmental pollution.