Research interests
Environmental
soil and geochemistry; organic and inorganic anion interactions with
amorphous metal oxide surfaces; pH effects on the reactivity and binding
of polyprotic acids; reduction and oxidation of metal contaminants
and their effect on availability and release; use of spectroscopy
and microscopy in elucidating mechanisms of retention and release
of nutrients and pollutants.
Currently
Ph. D student with Dr.
Michael Hochella
4044 Derring Hall
Department of Geosciences, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24060
(540) 231-3358
kestaats@vt.edu
Curriculum Vitae
Professional Associations
Soil
Science Society of America
American Chemical
Society |
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M.S. Graduate Student
May 2002 - Aug. 2005
Education
Bachelors of Science in Agriculture with
Distinction
University
of Delaware
Graduated
May 2002, Cum Laude
Masters of Science in Plant and Soil Science,
Soil Chemistry
University
of Delaware
August 2005
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Publications
Staats, K.E., Y. Arai, and D.L. Sparks. 2004. Alum amendment effects
on phosphorus release and distribution in poultry litteramended
sandy soil. J. Environ. Qual. 33:1904-1911.
Honors and Activities
- Paper Author at SSSA, ASA, CSA National Meeting
(Seattle, WA), November 2004; Phosphate and Organic
Acids as Competing Sorbates on Amorphous Aluminum Oxide
- Paper Author at SSSA, ASA, CSA National Meeting
(Denver, CO), November 2003; Phosphorus Distribution and Speciation
in Alum Amended Poultry Litter
- Northeast Branch of ASA, SSSA Outstanding
Senior Award, April 2002
- Poster Author at SSSA, ASA, CSA National Meeting
(Charlotte, NC), October 2001; Alum Amendment Effects on Soil Phosphorus
Stabilization in Poultry Litter Amended Sandy Soils. Soil
- Milton Draper Scholarship Award, May 2000
- Selected as Spirit Ambassador by Office of Alumni
Relations at University of Delaware, October 1999
- Member of Alpha Zeta Agricultural Honors Fraternity,
April 1999
- Agricultural Ambassador for the College of Agriculture
and Natural Resources, December 1998
Appointed
to Advisory Board, January 2000
- First Year Honors Certificate, May 1999
- Member
of University of Delaware Honors Program, August 1998
- Ag
Scholar, Burris Marshall Scholarship recipient, University of Delaware,
March 1998
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