Lynda Williams

Lynda Williams is a Research Professor at Arizona State University's School of Earth and Space Exploration, with an affiliation in the Emeritus College. Her research focuses on the chemical composition and nanoscale structure of clay minerals to interpret Earth's geological processes. Key interests include biogeochemistry, geochemical cycles, and the interplay between minerals and organic matter in hydrothermal systems.

Expertise areas encompass clay mineralogy, environmental geochemistry, and applications of minerals in medicine. She investigates antibacterial clay deposits and their mechanisms against pathogens, leveraging analytical techniques like secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Current projects involve tracing lithium and boron isotopes in kerogen, hydrothermal organic synthesis, and planetary geochemistry.

Publications emphasize hydrothermal reaction networks, mineral-catalyzed organic transformations, and astrobiological studies in extraterrestrial environments. Her work bridges geology, chemistry, and medicine, addressing both fundamental and applied challenges in Earth and space science.