Diogo Spinola

Diogo Spinola is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), where he leads research in forest soil biogeochemistry and pedology. He holds a PhD from the University of Tübingen and completed postdoctoral work at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the USDA Pacific Northwest Research Station.

• University: University of Northern British Columbia
• School: College of Science and Management
• Department: Ecosystem Science and Management
• Rank: Assistant Professor
• Email: diogo.spinola@unbc.ca

His research explores the interplay between soil geochemistry, mineralogy, and soil organic carbon dynamics across scales. Key areas include early soil formation in post-glacial landscapes, climate change impacts on carbon persistence, and wildfire effects on forest soils. His work spans temperate rainforests of Alaska, Antarctic paleosols, and tropical Andean environments.

Recent publications (2022–2024) focus on soil chronosequences in southeast Alaska, revealing rapid Spodosol development and carbon accumulation in coastal rainforests. His studies integrate geochemical, isotopic, and micromorphological methods to assess lithological controls, erosion rates, and carbon cycling. He also investigates paleosols in Antarctica and Brazil to reconstruct past climates.

Dr. Spinola teaches courses including Introduction to Soil Science, Forest Soils, and Limnology. He actively mentors graduate students and collaborates with institutions in the U.S., Canada, and Brazil. He has delivered invited talks, including at the Goldschmidt 2023 Conference on paleosol proxies for climate interpretation.