Earth Sciences Division Staff: Kenneth Hurst Williams

Biographical Summary

Kenneth Hurst Williams is a Geological Scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he is the the principal investigator for several projects related to the study of natural and stimulated subsurface biogeochemical processes.  He received his BA in Geology (UC Berkeley), MS in Geophysics (UC Berkeley), and PhD in Environmental Science, Policy and Management (UC Berkeley) under the direction of Prof. Jillian F. Banfield.  His primary research interests involve the development of biogeophysical characterization and monitoring methods and deployment of such methods at a variety field research sites, in particular the Rifle Integrated Field Research Challenge site near Rifle, Colorado.  His current emphasis is on the electrochemical interpretation of geophysical anomalies within the context of static or dynamic biogeochemical conditions.  Other areas of interest include the behavior of redox sensitive metals, such as uranium, selenium, vanadium, and arsenic, accompanying stimulated bioremediation, as well as the development of carbon-neutral approaches to contaminated groundwater remediation utilizing microbe-modified electrodes.

Education

• University of California, Berkeley, Environmental Science, Policy & Management, Ph.D., 2008
• University of California, Berkeley, Geophysics, M.S., 2002
• University of California, Berkeley, Geology, B.A., 1993

Professional Experience

• 2009-present Geological Scientist, Earth Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, CA.
• 1998-2009 Senior Scientific and Engineering Associate, Earth Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, CA.
• 1993-1998 Research Technician, Earth Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, CA.

Honors and Awards

• 2005,  Outstanding Student Paper; Near Surface Geophysics Section of the American Geophysical Union, 2005 Joint Assembly, “Monitoring microbial chemotaxis and sulfate-reduction using the self-potential method”.

Synergistic Activities

• Pioneered development of active biogeophysical monitoring methods; developed a fundamental understanding of the influence of subsurface biogeochemical processes on geophysical properties and the development of new tools for non-invasive characterization of such processes; emphasis on the electrochemical interpretation of geophysical anomalies within the context of static or dynamic geochemical and mineralogical conditions; development of new tools/methodologies for monitoring the emplacement and/or efficacy of novel remediation strategies, such as slow-release nutrient sources and organic carbon compounds.
• Extensive experience in geophysical data acquisition and interpretation with an emphasis on surface and borehole complex resistivity, ground penetrating radar, seismic, and borehole logging methods.

Collaborators and Other Affiliations - Primary Collaborators

• J.F. Banfield (University of California, Berkeley); D.R. Lovley (University of Massachusetts); L.D. Slater (Rutgers University); P.E. Long (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory); A. Kemna (University of Bonn);
• S.S. Hubbard (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

.