Geomicrobiology & Environmental Microbiology Studies
at Louisiana State University

Microorganisms control important geochemical and geological processes. We are investigating microorganisms in several different types of terrestrial habitats, including caves, groundwater, and hot springs, as well as microbes in symbiotic association with animals (insects and clams). We are especially interested in chemolithoautotrophs because of their ability to scavenge nutrients from rocks and to harness chemical energy, as well as serving as the energetic base of many ecosystems. Our overall research goals are to understand how microorganisms have come to colonize so many different environments on Earth, how microorganisms have interacted with geological materials through time, and how and to what extent are biogeochemical cycles affected by microbial activities.LSU ranks in the first tier for "Best National Universities" according to U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Colleges. Limited research undergraduate and graduate projects and assistantships are available in the Depts. Geology & Geophysics or Biological Sciences.
 

These research topics are being investigated by the Louisiana State University GEMS group:

  1) The molecular diversity, biogeography, and metabolic capabilities of Epsilonproteobacteria
      (Epsilonproteobacteria Project link);
  2) Subsurface (cave and groundwater) microbial diversity, and the geochemical and geologic
      consequences of subsurface microbes (Lower Kane Cave Research, Edwards Aquifer Project, &
      Moonmilk Microbiology and Cansiliella Research)
  3) Hot spring geomicrobiology (El Tatio Hot Spring Research link);
  4) Microbial transformations in coupled carbon and sulfur nutrient cycles and the preservation of
      microbial carbon and sulfur signatures through geologic history; 
  5) Molecular diversity, biogeography, and biogeochemical contributions of bacterial symbiotic
      associations in lucinid bivalves (Lucinid Endosymbiont Project link).

HOT LINKS: Click an image above for more information.

Research in the GEMS group is supported by:

Please contact Dr. Annette Engel for more information regarding the research or photographs. Call (225) 578-2469 or email.
Address: Department of Geology and Geophysics, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803.   
©AS Engel2009