About
Dr. Cansu Demirel-Floyd is a geochemist and geomicrobiologist specializing in biomining, mineral weathering, carbonate biomineralization, and carbon dioxide removal (CDR). She holds a Ph.D. in Geology with a focus on geomicrobiology and planetary science, where she investigated microbe-mineral interactions, biological weathering by cyanobacteria, and carbon cycling in extreme environments. Additionally, she has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications on mineral weathering, biomining, carbonate biomineralization, and carbonate system geochemistry. Her expertise in geochemical modeling, geochemistry, and geomicrobiology lab methods and carbonate chemistry informs her work in developing scalable CO₂ sequestration solutions using alkaline feedstocks in mine pit lakes.
As a Laboratory Scientist & Manager at Aquarry, Inc., Dr. Demirel-Floyd leads abiotic laboratory studies on alkaline feedstocks and mine water characterization for CDR applications. Her work focuses on:
Chemical & mineralogical feedstock screening to evaluate CO₂ sequestration potential
Baseline abiotic dissolution experiments to quantify feedstock dissolution rates
Post-leach cleanup strategies to mitigate metal release from alkaline feedstocks
Investigating the carbonation efficiency of feedstocks to enhance CO₂ mineralization and stability
Previously, at Endolith Mining, a former subsidiary of Cemvita Inc., Dr. Demirel-Floyd led Ni and Co bioextraction research while also contributing to Li and Co bioextraction projects. She applied biogeochemical and biomining techniques to enhance metal recovery from ores, integrating microbial-assisted leaching strategies for sustainable resource extraction.
These green biotechnology efforts with her extensive background support leading the efforts for integrating bio-enhanced rock weathering (PBW) for scalable CO₂ removal in mine pit lakes, advancing biotechnical solutions for climate mitigation.
Joined
February 2025
