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2000 BRIE GRADUATE
COHORT
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Jim Moran -
I am developing a method for utilizing 16S RNA as a
phylogenetically specific stable isotope biomarker. We strive to
use 16S RNA for tracing substrate usage through both labeled and
natural systems. I am also working with pure methanogen
cultures to determine whether adjusting their chemical environment may
induce a reverse methanogenesis metabolic pathway.
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Stephanie Shipkowski -
I work with glycosidases (enzymes that cleave sugar moieties from a
variety of substrates (see the CAZY database to
learn more) from psychrophilic (cold-loving) Gram-positive organisms,
particularly B-galactosidases from Paenibacillus species. One substrate
B-galactosidases act on is lactose (milk sugar)... but this compound is
rare in the environment. My project involves trying to determine what
other natural compounds these enzymes might be acting on, so that we
can understand their contribution to the carbon cycle.
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2001 BRIE GRADUATE
COHORT
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Matt Bachmann -
Despite a background in geology, my current research focuses on a new genomic method of quantifying subsurface microbial
respiration rates. The results of this method, applied to denitrification in a nitrate contaminated aquifer in the Florida Keys,
are being incorporated into a 3D finite element model of groundwater flow in an attempt to predict nutrient loading
rates to coastal waterways in the Keys. BRIE not only encourages inter-departmental coursework, it provides an opportunity to work
(and socialize) with people from other departments.
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Jen Biddle -
My background is in molecular biology, and for a time after undergrad,
I thought that working in the pharmaceutical industry or on a human
disease was the way to go....but I really missed playing in the dirt!
The BRIE program helped attract me to Penn State, and working with Jean
Brenchley in BMB and Chris House in Geosciences, I've been able to
focus on microbial ecology in cold environments. My thesis research is
focused on the microbial diversity found in deep marine sediments
collected on ODP Leg 201. So, instead of dirt, I play in "sediment".
State College has been a wonderful place to settle and in my spare time
I enjoy playing with my family (husband and cat), hiking, sailing,
cooking, biking, reading, etc, etc.
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Heather L. Buss -
My research deals with the biogeochemical influences on weathering of
iron-bearing silicate minerals. Specifically I have examined the
pitting of iron-silicate surfaces by siderophores and aerobic bacteria,
the breakdown and weathering of granitic rock into saprolite, and the
biogeochemical cycling of iron within saprolite. I received a
BRIE research grant to travel to the Luquillo Mountains in Puerto Rico
where I collected samples of weathering granodiorite and saprolite in
the rainforest.
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Burt Thomas -
For my dissertation research I'm studying the role of microbial
populations of methane producers and consumers in the modulation of
methane flux from wetlands. I monitor the chemistry of porewaters and the
activity of microbes in wetland soil in an effort to understand what
controls the variability of flux from a natural acidic wetland in
Pennsylvania.
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Aubrey L. Zerkle -
I am a fourth year BRIE student in the Department of Geosciences. I am
broadly interested in applying modern microbial ecology and
biogeochemical cycling to ancient earth systems. My current research
focuses on investigating microbial metal use and trace metal cycling,
using a
variety of methods from genomics to culturing experiments and field
investigations. As part of this project, BRIE is funding an
international collaboration with the Danish Center for Earth Systems
Science, where I
am currently examining the affect of metal limitation on cyanobacterial
nitrogen fixation, for application to ancient metal-limited systems
such as the proposed Proterozoic Ocean.
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2002 BRIE GRADUATE
COHORT
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Jamey Fulton -
I came to Penn State with a traditional undergrad geology background, a desire to study geochemical
cycling, and an appreciation for the role that biota play in geochemical processes. Through the BRIE
program I have learned more about microbiology than I ever expected as a geologist and have become much more
comfortable working with students and professors from other disciplines. My research focuses on studying
nitrogen cycling in anoxic environments from a variety of perspectives, including interpreting paleo-nutrient
cycling from Black Sea sedimentary organic matter and studying modern nitrogen cycling across the redox boundary
in the water column of meromictic Fayetteville Green Lake near Syracuse. I look forward to teaching and researching
in a university setting when I finish my degree.
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Libby Hausrath -
I am interested in weathering and trace element cycling, and the role
of microorganisms in these processes. I am currently working on
basalt weathering in the presence of organic acids as a proxy for
biology, and in response to different climate regimes.
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Joel Moore -
BRIE has been great for fostering and facilitating my interests in
interdisciplinary research. My broad topic is granite weathering. The
aspects of granite weathering I'm looking at include how trees (giant
sequoias) affect mineral weathering, how microbial soil populations
affect or are affected by granite weathering through time, and how
reactive transport models can be used to better understand how granite
weathering processes evolve with time.
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Tony Riccardi -
My research interests focus around the sulfur cycle of the ocean during
the end-Permian mass extinction. This includes both the isotopic
record and ecological changes during this time period. I joined
the BRIE program because it offers the opportunity to network with
students from other departments, as well as providing access to various
laboratories. The social gatherings hosted by BRIE also help to
provide a sense of community across department boundaries, something
which is often lacking in many programs.
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Nancy Washton -
I chose the BRIE program because I wanted to work in a multi-disciplinary field using
techniques that had not been optimized for non-traditional research
areas. I use solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to
probe reactive surface species on natural and synthetic minerals.
Working with a co-advisor in geoscience engendered a new vantage point
to view my science from, allowing me increased maneuverability to
attack the project.
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2003 BRIE GRADUATE
COHORT
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Katja Meyer -
My current research focuses on the biomarker signature of the chemocline in the sediments of meromictic Fayetteville Green Lake.
I am interested in applying information from microbial ecology and organic geochemistry in modern anoxic environments to
intervals of euxinia in earth history. I take breaks from my studies to garden, cook, and canoe.
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Alexis Navarre -
In very broad terms I am interested in mineral stability, more
specifically the kinetics of silicate mineral weathering. I completed a
M.S. at Colorado School of Mines on field calculated weathering rates of
granitic rocks and how these rates are related to carbon dioxide
concentrations. I am currently working with Dr. Susan Brantley and have
been involved in a field study of basalt weathering in Costa Rica. I
have plans to begin basalt weathering column experiments this fall.
After finishing my degree at Penn State I hope to stay in academics and
teach.
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Lisa Steinberg -
Research interests: I am interested in improving anaerobic
digester stability and performance to increase the production of
methane for use as an alternative fuel. Methane is produced in
abundance from Northern wetlands under conditions that would normally
preclude methane production in engineered reactors. I am
interested in profiling the methanogenic communities of wetlands and
digesters in hopes of elucidating how community structure affects
methane production under a variety of environmental conditions.
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2004 BRIE GRADUATE
COHORT
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Bryn Kimball -
As a new BRIE student, I plan to study microbial fractionation of
metals, and how such fractionation may be used as a tool to understand
the processes involved in hard rock acid mine drainage. I am excited to
take advantage of the interdisciplinary opportunities available through BRIE
to investigate this question. After receiving my degree, I hope to pursue a career in
environmental consulting.
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Joe McIntyre -
My name is Joe McIntyre and I am a PhD student in the Environmental
Engineering department here at Penn State. I earned a Bachelors
of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Virginia Tech and a
Masters of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from Penn
State. Under the advice of faculty and friends, I joined the BRIE
program, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to perform
collaborative research in the area of Biogeochemistry. My
specific research pertains to the development and utilization of
microbial fuel cells for the generation of electricity from waste water
under the advisement of Dr. Bruce Logan. Outside of academia, I
am an avid fitness nut and I spend a great deal of time with a science
outreach group known as the Penn State Science Lions.
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Karl Shellenberger -
I received an MS in Environmental Engineering
from PSU in 2000 and was working as a consulting environmental engineer
when I
started looking into returning to school to pursue a PhD. When I
heard about BRIE and the interesting
opportunities available through the program, I couldn’t pass it up and
headed
back to Penn State.
My research will focus on microbial fuel cells and the microbiology
involved in the process of using bacteria to make electricity.
When I am not on campus, I am an avid runner,
and I also try to spend as much time as I can in the outdoors with my
fiancée doing
things like hiking, canoeing, and camping.
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Eileen Stocum -
As an undergraduate at the College of Charleston my background was
primarily in molecular biology and biochemistry. Through a series
of research projects I became interested in the field of microbial
ecology. I am paricularly interested in the diversity and
structure of soil microbial communities, the role of microbes in
nitrogen cycling and plant-microbe interactions. I was interested
in the BRIE program because it promoted an interdisciplinary approach
to research. After completing my PhD I hope to become a
professor. When I'm not messing with microbes I enjoy playing my
violin and hiking/backpacking around PA and NY.
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Heath Watts -
My research interests include the broad areas of
biogeochemistry and astrobiology. More specifically I am interested in
molecular and geochemical modeling, microbe-mineral interactions,
planetary evolution, and isotope studies. I chose BRIE because of its
reputation, its interdisciplinary approach, and the research
opportunities. After completing my Ph.D., I'd like to continue to do
research, and teach at a university.
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