Dorothy Vesper

Dorothy Vesper is a Professor of Geology at West Virginia University, specializing in low-temperature geochemistry with a focus on karst hydrogeology and contaminant transport.

• Education: BS (Juniata College, 1986), MS (Penn State University, 1998), PhD (Penn State University, 2002)

Her research explores water chemistry dynamics in karst aquifers and coal mine drainage systems, examining diel/storm-induced water quality changes, high-CO₂ waters, and metal geochemistry across scales from molecular water-rock interactions to regional watershed controls. Key projects include contaminant fate in Puerto Rico's karst aquifers (PROTECT), CO₂ release from coal mines, and West Virginia sinkhole mapping with Dr. Aaron Maxwell.

As director of the Environmental Geochemistry Lab, she investigates inorganic carbon-sulfur relationships in natural waters. Notably, she announced in 2025 that she will not accept new graduate students.

Her teaching portfolio includes advanced courses in aqueous geochemistry, contaminant transport, and karst geology.