Wil Leavitt

Wil Leavitt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geology & Geophysics at the University of Utah and a Visiting Scholar at Dartmouth College (Chemistry and Earth & Planetary Science departments). His research bridges geomicrobiology, isotope biogeochemistry, and biosignature detection in extreme environments.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Earth & Planetary Sciences, Harvard University (2014)
• A.M. in Organismic & Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University (2009)
• B.A. in Natural Science, Hampshire College (2006)

Leavitt's work focuses on how microbes drive elemental cycles (C, H, O, N, S, P) through biogeochemical processes. His lab employs stable isotope geochemistry, microbial cultivation (including chemostats), and lipid analysis to study extremophiles like methanogens and sulfate reducers. Key themes include reconstructing Earth's biogeochemical history and developing biosignatures for astrobiology.

Recent publications (2025-2024) emphasize methane isotopologues, sulfur cycling, lipid biomarkers in extremophiles, and Bayesian modeling for source identification. These studies span modern Earth environments (hydrothermal springs, marine sediments) to Mars analogs like the Atacama Desert.

Scientific Awards:

• Fossett Postdoctoral Fellow, Washington University St. Louis (2014-2016)
• Marine Biological Laboratory, Microbial Diversity Fellowship (2008)

The Leavitt Lab provides inclusive research opportunities for students and uses machine learning, chemostat experiments, and multi-technique integration to explore microbial impacts on planetary chemistry. Contact: wil.leavitt@dartmouth.edu