Geomicrobiology

Geomicrobiology is an emerging, interdisciplinary field of research highlighting the important interplay between microbiology and geology. Microorganisms affect many important geological processes, including mineral dissolution, mineral precipitation, and the distribution of elements in diverse environments at and below the Earth?s surface. As microbes shape their habitats, the chemical and physical environment changes over time. These changes, in turn, exert control over the evolution and structure of microbial communities. This course will explore geological changes mediated by microorganisms, microbial evolution driven by geologically diverse habitats, and applications of geomicrobiology towards understanding the evolution of life on earth, the search for life on other planets, and the study of life in extreme environments. A maximum of 10 students in this course will have the opportunity to participate in a week-long field trip to California over spring break (March 16-22). We will visit Death Valley National Park, Owens Lake, Mono Lake, and various hot springs highlighting the geomicrobiology of the region. The estimated cost of the trip for each student is $500 plus airfare to LAS; financial aid is available to eligible students.