Malak Tfaily

Malak Tfaily is a Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Arizona, specializing in ecosystem science and organic geochemistry. She holds a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from Florida State University (2011) and has extensive postdoctoral experience at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (2014–2018). Her research integrates analytical chemistry, biogeochemistry, and omics technologies to study carbon cycling, microbial interactions, and environmental responses to climate change.

Education:

• PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Florida State University (2011)
• Bachelor's in General Chemistry, Lebanese University (Lebanon)

Research Interests: Dr. Tfaily focuses on carbon dynamics in terrestrial/aquatic ecosystems, microbial community function, and environmental chemistry techniques. She pioneered the use of high-resolution mass spectrometry and isotopic methods to trace organic matter transformations in peatlands, permafrost, and agricultural systems.

Publications: Over 50 peer-reviewed articles since 2020, emphasizing microbial metabolism, climate feedbacks, and metabolomics. Recent work unveiled novel pathways for methane production and drought-induced metabolic shifts in tropical soils.

Awards:

• 2022 AGU Macelwane Medal Nominee
• 2022 ALVSCE Early Career Award
• 2020 University of Arizona Team Excellence Award

Grants & Labs: Leads projects funded by NSF and DOE, including studies on Arctic peatlands and tropical rainforest resilience. Collaborates with EMSL and other national labs for cutting-edge metabolomics and proteomics.