Dirk Wallschläger

Dirk Wallschläger is Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Wilfrid Laurier University and inaugural Laurier Distinguished Research Chair in Aquatic Sciences. His career spans over two decades of research on selenium chemistry and toxicology in aquatic systems.

Education

• PhD in Environmental Analytical Chemistry, University of Bremen (Germany), 1996
• MSc in Analytical Chemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum (Germany), 1992

Research Interests

Dirk Wallschläger’s research program focuses on the environmental chemistry and toxicology of selenium in freshwater ecosystems and industrial settings. Three pillars define his work:

• Development and refinement of analytical methods for total selenium and selenium species in water, air, sediments, biota, and industrial process streams.
• Ecotoxicological studies investigating the chemical transformations, fate, and biological interactions of selenium species in impacted aquatic ecosystems.
• Industrial treatment design, optimization, and troubleshooting for selenium removal from process streams to reduce environmental emissions.

His long-term goal is to build mechanistic and quantitative models that accurately describe selenium distribution and fate, enabling science-based policy for protecting aquatic wildlife from industrial selenium emissions.

Awards & Distinctions

• Laurier Distinguished Research Chair in Aquatic Sciences (inaugural holder)

Collaborations & Funding

Wallschläger’s research is supported by numerous government agencies and industrial partners, fostering collaborative projects that bridge academia, industry, and regulatory bodies.

Labs & Teams

He leads the Laurier selenium research group, developing state-of-the-art analytical tools and disseminating best practices for selenium analysis to academic, governmental, and private-sector users worldwide.