BOSTON - The environmental science community is deeply saddened by the passing of Kristina Washer, who died on June 9, 2025, at age 30 from Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

A gifted researcher and passionate advocate for planetary health, Kristina devoted her life to understanding and healing the natural world.

A master’s student in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Tufts University, Kristina focused on Environmental Health, studying the impacts of pollutants and occupational exposures on public health. She was awarded the Hanes Endowed Fellowship and received the LSPA Scholarship in2022, recognizing her exceptional promise in the field of environmental remediation.

Kristina’s career spanned continents and disciplines—from marine biology research in the Turks and Caicos Islands to a Fulbright post in the Galápagos, to fieldwork in Mauritius on the extinct dodo bird. She conducted groundwater and soil investigations, supported EPA-compliant cleanups, and advanced best practices in environmental risk management. She was also a dive master in Thailand, merging her scientific expertise with a deep respect for marine life.

Equally committed to community service, Kristina volunteered at wildlife clinics, tutored in multiple languages, and led educational initiatives focused on environmental awareness. Her warmth, curiosity, and courage touched people around the world.

Kristina Washer leaves behind a legacy of scientific excellence and human compassion. Her life was brief, but her impact will endure through the communities she served, the ecosystems she helped protect, and the inspiration she leaves to future generations of environmental stewards. She will be deeply missed.