The Urban Soil Guide

Dr. Anna Paltseva is an international urban soil scientist, esteemed for her expertise in urban soil contamination and remediation of urban gardens. She received her Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Sciences from The Graduate Center, City University of New York, in 2019. After serving as an endowed assistant professor in Environmental Sciences at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette School of Geosciences for four years, Dr. Paltseva has taken up a new challenge as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Departments of Agronomy and Horticulture & Landscape Architecture at Purdue University. Her mission remains steadfast: to educate communities about the importance of soil health for growing nutritious food, supporting healthy ecosystems, and safeguarding children from exposure to harmful heavy metals.

Throughout her career, Dr. Paltseva has been dedicated to teaching and has imparted her knowledge to a wide range of students at various prestigious institutions, including New York University, Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, the renowed New York Botanical Garden, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. At Purdue University, she will continue this educational legacy, focusing on advancing the practice and understanding of sustainable urban agriculture.

Authoring and co-authoring over thirty manuscripts and book chapters, Dr. Paltseva's scholarly contributions are extensive. Her international presentations span several countries, including Spain, France, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, China, Russia, Austria, and Germany. She has also served as the Chair for the Urban and Anthropogenic Soils Division at the Soil Science Society of America (2022-2024) and was honored with the esteemed 2023 Soil Science Education and Extension Award from the society.