PNNL

Elise Conte is an isotope geochemist and mass spectrometrist. Since joining PNNL in 2018, her work has focused primarily on developing and improving techniques for observing ultra-trace levels of radioisotopes in the environment by thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC ICP-MS). More recently, her research has focused on TIMS and MC ICP-MS isotopic measurements in bulk nuclear materials and signature exploitation. Prior to joining PNNL, her doctoral research focused on better constraining magmatic residence times and eruptive repose intervals at recently active and explosive volcanoes using uranium-series and radiocarbon dating. Additionally, she conducted research on the applicability of tree bark as a passive biomonitor of contaminants originating from nuclear operations using uranium isotopes and concentrations. Conte was also a postdoctoral fellow with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, assisting in the implementation process for the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. She has performed extensive clean laboratory work in class 100 to 10,000 clean rooms, separating and purifying trace actinides and other nuclides in environmental, nuclear, and geological samples. Elise also has analytical experience with laser ablation, inductively coupled plasma- optical emission spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electron microprobe, and x-ray diffraction.

• PhD, Geology, University of Miami
• BS, Geology, State University of New York College at Oswego

2022

• Shen, S.D., E.J. Krogstad, E.R. Conte, and C.F. Brown. 2022. "Rapid Unseparated Rare Earth Element Analyses By Isotope Dilution Multicollector Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometry (ID-MC-ICP-MS)." International Journal of Mass Spectrometry 471. PNNL-SA-161005. doi:10.1016/j.ijms.2021.116726

2021

• Huber, Z.F., M.T. Athon, S.D. Shen, E.R. Conte, K.M. McCoy, and C.A. Lavender. 2021. "Enhancing isotope mixing in U-10Mo downblend castings with electromagnetic stirring." Journal of Nuclear Materials 555. PNNL-SA-161932. doi:10.1016/j.jnucmat.2021.153148

2019

• Conte, E.R., E. Widom, D. Kuentz, and Z. Franca. 2019. "14C and U-series disequilibria age constraints from recent eruptions at Sete Cidades volcano, Azores." Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 373. PNNL-SA-136317. doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2019.02.002

2017

• Conte, E. E. Widom, and D.C. Kuentz. 2017. “Uranium isotopes in tree bark as a spatial tracer of environmental contamination near former uranium processing facilities in southwest Ohio.” Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 178-179(2017):265-278. DOI 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.08.019.

2015

• Conte, E.R., E. Widom, and D.C. Kuentz. 2015. “Characterization and transport modeling of uranium particulate from Fernald area tree bark.” Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Geochemistry 307:1675-1679. DOI 10.1007/s10967-015-4388-7.