The environmental science community mourns the loss of Kristina Comley Washer, a gifted and compassionate environmental scientist whose life was tragically cut short by Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) on June 9, 2025. She was 30 years old.
Kristina was more than a scholar—she was a force for change. A master’s student in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Tufts University, she was awarded the prestigious Hanes Endowed Fellowship in Environmental Health, which supported her research into the complex intersections between pollution, public health, and environmental risk management. Her academic path was marked by a rare blend of intellectual excellence and moral clarity, with a sharp focus on hazardous waste site remediation and environmental justice.
In June 2022, the Licensed Site Professional Association (LSPA) recognized Kristina’s outstanding potential by awarding her one of its coveted scholarships. The LSPA Scholarship Fund, which annually supports students in environmental studies across New England, honored Kristina’s deep commitment to environmental health, selecting her for the award in recognition of both her scholarly promise and her profound passion for the field.
Kristina Washer Environmental Scientist at work
Kristina’s work had a global scope and impact. From conducting marine biology research in the Turks and Caicos Islands to contributing to species conservation efforts in Mauritius and leading clean-up efforts under U.S. EPA protocols, her career spanned six continents. She combined technical expertise with a global consciousness, serving not only as a scientist but also as a cultural ambassador, educator, and advocate.
Her Fulbright experience in the Galápagos Islands further reflected her deep commitment to protecting fragile ecosystems and understanding the interconnectedness of species, climate, and community. Whether working as a soil scientist or a scuba-diving marine ecologist, Kristina embodied a rare versatility and an unwavering ethical drive to protect the Earth and its inhabitants.
Kristina Washer Environmental Scientist sample collection
Kristina’s devotion to public service extended well beyond the laboratory and the field. She tutored students in English and Spanish, volunteered at wildlife rehabilitation clinics, and contributed to environmental education initiatives that aimed to empower the next generation of changemakers. Her compassionate leadership, generous mentorship, and fearless advocacy made her a beacon in every community she touched.
Kristina Washer’s passing is an immeasurable loss to the environmental science field and to all who care about the health of our planet. Her legacy lives on through the students she inspired, the ecosystems she helped protect, and the scientific contributions she made in her far-too-brief lifetime.
The global environmental community has lost a visionary, and the world is poorer for her absence, but infinitely richer for her life.
