PNNL

Karen Wahl, a Senior Research Fellow and bioanalytical chemist, is a division director within the National Security Directorate. She oversees research teams focused on nuclear, chemical, and biological threats.

The primary focus of her research career has been applying mass spectrometry tools to chemical and biological problems for a variety of sample matrices, investigating small molecule, peptide, and protein targets. Wahl has led and mentored research teams of microbiologists, analytical chemists, biochemists, and data scientists to develop mass spectrometric methods for characterizing microorganisms, toxins, and their processing methods. This research brings together broadly disciplined research teams to meet a variety of other national security needs.

Her work leading and developing analytical approaches to identify and characterize unknown biological materials resulted in more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, six book chapters, and three patents. Wahl started her career at PNNL as a postdoctoral scientist.

• PhD in analytical chemistry, Michigan State University
• BA in chemistry, College of Wooster

• American Chemical Society
• American Society for Mass Spectrometry
• Phi Beta Kappa
• Sigma Xi

• College of Wooster Athletic Hall of Fame, 1995
• Affirmative Action Fellowship, Michigan State University, 1985
• University Recruiting Fellowship, Michigan State University, 1985