As a PhD student at CU Boulder, Clifford Adamchak studies how beavers impact the biogeochemical cycling of mercury in river environments in the Western U.S. His research requires a lot of time in the field and lab. Adamchak received a 2022 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, and he is a co-author on a recent high-impact paper that found metal contamination near homes destroyed by the Marshall Fire didn’t reach dangerous levels. Earlier this month, he traveled to Cape Town, South Africa to attend the International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant. Adamchak functions best in the middle of the day, and he’s “shockingly good at catching flies with [his] hands.”

Humans of CIRES Q&A

Q: What do you work on at CIRES?

I am a 2nd year PhD student interested in how beaver activity changes biogeochemical cycling of mercury in the Western U.S. I do a lot of field and lab work for my research.

Q: Where is the most exciting place you’ve traveled to for your research/job?

It hasn't happened yet, but in July 2024, I will be traveling to Cape Town, South Africa to attend the International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant.

Q: Are you an early bird or a night owl?

Neither, I am a middle-of-the-day person and function best from approximately 8 am - 9:30 pm.

Q: Do you have any hidden talents?

I am shockingly good at catching flies with my hands.