Dr. Vera Slaveykova

Biography

Vera Slaveykova is a professor at the University of Geneva focusing on environmental biogeochemistry and ecotoxicology. Her research aims to deepen the molecular understanding of the behavior of toxic trace metals and synthetic nanoparticles in aquatic systems. The work emphasizes the development of innovative concepts and advanced tools to study interactions between biotic and abiotic components in aquatic environments. A unifying concept in her research is biodisponibility, which connects various processes at the organism-environment interface with biological effects on specific microorganisms or communities. Her current research explores the biogeochemistry and ecotoxicology of metals such as mercury, cadmium, copper, lead, and various metal-containing nanoparticles in freshwater, ocean, and coastal environments. The approach blends laboratory experimentation to recreate and understand key processes with field studies to validate results, modeling, risk assessment, and mapping. By utilizing diverse methodologies from analytical chemistry, environmental science, ecotoxicology, and molecular biology, she aims to apply fundamental knowledge to anticipate global change impacts and develop rational water management practices for the 21st century.

Research Interests