Rachel Gabor

Rachel Gabor is an Assistant Professor of Watershed Hydrology at The Ohio State University's School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR), based at Kottman Hall in Columbus, Ohio. Her research integrates hydrological and biogeochemical processes to address critical water quality challenges in natural and urban aquatic systems.

Her research portfolio spans:

• Watershed-scale hydrology and contaminant transport dynamics
• Dissolved organic matter (DOM) transformations in urban critical zones
• Mechanisms of mercury cycling in wetland sediments
• Nitrogen and carbon fate under fluctuating hydrological regimes
• Innovative ozone nanobubble technologies for cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom (HAB) control
• Urban impacts on stream and groundwater chemistry

Analysis of her 2021-2025 publications reveals a dominant research trajectory toward developing and validating ozone nanobubble treatments for HAB mitigation, with field trials demonstrating significant reductions in cyanobacterial biomass and toxins. Concurrently, her work explores fundamental DOM-mercury interactions in oligotrophic systems and quantifies how water table fluctuations drive nutrient transformations in coastal aquifers and riparian zones, employing advanced methodologies including soil column experiments and fluorescence spectroscopy.

Dr. Gabor's work bridges fundamental biogeochemistry with applied water treatment solutions, particularly addressing Lake Erie's Western Basin challenges through seasonal carbon budget analyses and HAB intervention strategies. Her research demonstrates strong alignment with Critical Zone Observatory initiatives and has practical implications for urban watershed management and drinking water protection.