UP NEXT: MARCH 8, 2012 @ 12:00-12:45pm PST
Dr. Beth Orcutt, Aarhus University
The Dynamics of Life Across the Sediment-Basement Interface
Abstract: Previous studies of microbial abundance and geochemistry in deep marine sediments indicate a stimulation of microbial activity near the sediment-basement interface - the boundary between the two largest potential habitats for microbial life on Earth. The few studies thus far conducted in deep oceanic crust reveal an active microbial community in this habitat; yet the extent to which microbial communities in bottom sediments and underlying crustal habitats interact is unclear. I am interested in investigating whether microbial communities in deep sediments are seeded and/or stimulated from basement communities, or vice versa. If there is influence from one habitat type on the other, how far does this influence extend, both with vertical distance away from the interface and laterally along the flow path of fluids within basement? I will present an overview of several on-going biogeochemical and molecular biological studies to examine the nature of microbial life across the sediment-basement interface, focusing on recent expeditions to the Juan de Fuca Ridge and Mid-Atlantic Ridge flanks (IODP Expeditions 327 and 336, respectively).
Dr. Orcutt is currently a postdoctoral research associate at the Center for Geomicrobiology at Aarhus University, Denmark. Starting in April 2012, she will be a Senior Research Scientist at the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. Her research interests include geomicrobiology and microbial biogeochemistry of marine sediments, ocean crust and the deep subsurface; and determining fundamental links between microbial diversity, activity and environmental variables. During some recent scientific expeditions, she has also led an interactive ship-to-shore education and outreach project to engage the public in the science being conducted. |
 FALL
2011 SPEAKER
Dr. Brandi
Kiel Reese, University of Southern California
Biogeography of geochemical characterizations
and molecular commnities within shallow and deep subsurface
sediments
[Watch
the recording!]
Dr. Reese is a postdoctoral research associate
at the University of Southern California, Department
of Biological Sciences. Her research interests include
sulfur biogeochemical cycling and sediment diagenesis
with emphasis on the interaction of microbiology and
geochemistry. Currently, Dr. Reese is focused on the
structure and function of microbial communities and
what geochemical characteristics lead to their biogeographical
diversity.
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The Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI)
is a "networked" Science and Technology Center (STC),
gathering expertise, ideas, and participation from institutions
across the U. S. and around the world. C-DEBI is particularly
interested in opening and developing communication between
participants separated by thousands of miles.
C-DEBI participants gather in person at meetings periodically,
but we can also link STC members using modern web tools. C-DEBI
is launching the Networked Speaker Series as one means to
enhance communication and the exchange of ideas.
C-DEBI seeks nominations for the
first three speakers for this program. Potential speakers
can be nominated by colleagues, mentors, or those mentored
by C-DEBI participants; they can also self nominate. Selected
C-DEBI Networked Speakers will make a presentation
online, using video conferencing tools, with assistance from
the C-DEBI main office at USC. Presentations are to be about
30 minutes in length, with time allocated for questions and
discussion. Networked viewers can participate in Q&A via
their own web camera and speaker/microphone or by chat.
We would like to have three presentations during the 2011-2012
academic year, ideally one in the fall, one in the winter,
and one in the spring. No travel will be required either to
make a presentation or to listen/participate in a presentation.
Presentations will be recorded for later online playback by
participants or those who could not "attend" the
live web event.
Nominated C-DEBI Networked Speakers should be capable
of combining compelling visual materials with the ability
to communicate effectively to a broad audience. We are particularly
enthusiastic about giving young researchers a chance to present
work to the C-DEBI community. Being selected to be a C-DEBI
Networked Speaker is an honor. Once speakers are selected,
presentation dates and times for presentations will be determined
and announced, along with instructions for connecting over
the web.
[PDF
version of the C-DEBI Networked Speaker Series nominations
request]
Please submit nominations comprising a single PDF packet
containing the following information:
- A brief cover letter describing potential presentation
topic(s) and evidence that nominee can make a suitably broad
and compelling presentation
- Nominee CV (short format, 1-2 pages)
Please name the PDF nomination file, "NSS-Nom_Lastname.pdf"
and email to Matthew Janicak (janicak@usc.edu)
using the subject line: "C-DEBI Networked Speaker Series
Nominee". Speaker selection will begin immediately and
will continue until all three 2011-2012 slots are filled.
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