Teresa M. Eaton

Title
Associate Professor
Email
Department
Biology and Chemistry Dept
College
College of Arts & Sciences

Dr. Teresa Eaton is an associate professor of chemistry in the Department of Biology & Chemistry and serves as the program chair for Applied Biology. She leads curriculum development and research initiatives that prepare students for careers in environmental science, forensic chemistry and applied biology through experiential learning and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Dr. Eaton holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from Florida State University and completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Her academic background centers on the solid-state and gas-phase chemistry of lanthanides and actinides, with a focus on superheavy elements up to einsteinium.

Dr. Eaton specializes in physical inorganic chemistry and the application of advanced analytical instrumentation to real-world scientific challenges. Her current research spans astrogeology, forensic chemistry and sustainable aerospace practices. She is part of an international research effort examining potential evidence for a Younger Dryas cosmic impact event. Using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), her team analyzes sediment samples for iron spherules that may indicate extraterrestrial origins.

In forensic chemistry, Dr. Eaton collaborates with industry partners to develop novel trace evidence analysis techniques, applying tools such as infrared spectroscopy, SEM/EDS and X-Ray Fluorescence to support investigative science. Her work in aircraft recycling focuses on the responsible repurposing of aerospace materials, identifying chemical processes to reduce waste and improve material recovery.

Since joining Embry-Riddle, Dr. Eaton has expanded the Applied Biology program to emphasize environmental monitoring, GIS-based fieldwork, and undergraduate research. She mentors students engaged in applied chemistry projects and guides them in using instrumentation to address questions in environmental and materials science.

Dr. Eaton is an executive board member of the Central Arizona American Chemical Society and served as its chair from 2023–2024. In 2024, she was named a finalist for both the Prescott Woman STEAM Award and the Social Impact Award, in recognition of her contributions to science education and community engagement.

Beyond her academic work, Dr. Eaton is passionate about mentoring, outdoor recreation, and promoting STEM pathways for underrepresented students. Her work reflects a commitment to combining science, service and sustainability in innovative ways.

  • Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry, Florida State University
  • M.S. - Master of Science in Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry, Florida State University