Mentor Areas
Researchers in the Penn Geomicrobiology Laboratory study the physiologies, metabolisms and phylogenies of chemosynthetic microorganisms from hydrothermal environments associated with the ocean crust.
Occurring along a variety of temperature, pressure and reduction-oxidation gradients (among others), crustal microorganisms allow us to interrogate the metabolic rules governing life from an early-evolution perspective. By experimentally linking the bioenergetics behind microbial metabolisms with microbial physiologies under different physicochemical conditions, we can also help constrain mechanisms driving energy and matter transfers within biogeochemical cycles. The potential applications behind the fundamental knowledge acquired from laboratory data are also investigated as part of our work.
Overall, our microbiological studies are interdisciplinary in nature, intersecting with aqueous and isotopic geochemistry, mineralogy, ecology, evolution, planetary science, oceanography and biotechnology.
Description:
The Penn Geomicrobiology Laboratory is looking for a student researcher to support laboratory-based research activities associated with steady-state microbial growth via anaerobic chemostat cultivation at high temperatures.
Activities include: scaled-up anaerobic cultivation activities, time-series experimental sampling over the course of chemostat runs, faithful documentation of research activities, epifluorescence microscopy, analytical chemistry, data organization, data analysis, data visualization, and technical scientific writing.
Because activities involve advanced-level laboratory techniques, interested students will need to ensure a commitment of at least ~ 10 hours per week.
Preferred Qualifications
-background knowledge in microbiology, chemistry, and/or bioengineering
- professional behavior (including reliability and initiative)
-strong organization skills
-strong documentation skills
-strong problem-solving skills
-aseptic techniques
Project Website
Learn more about the researcher and/or the project here. https://web.sas.upenn.edu/penngeomicrolab/
Details:
Preferred Student Year
Junior, Senior
Academic Term
Fall, Spring, Summer
I prefer to have students start during the above term(s).Volunteer
No
Yes indicates that faculty are open to volunteers.Paid
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to paying students they engage in their research, regardless of their work-study eligibility.Work Study
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to hiring work-study-eligible students.