NAGPRA and Museum Microbiology

In the 1990s, the US Congress passed NAGPRA (Native American Graves and Repatriation Act) requiring items of cultural patrimony be returned to Native American tribes.  Unfortunately, originally used chemical preservatives, e.g., As and Hg, used on many cultural items remain today.  This project focuses on the use of metal-resistant bacteria for the removal and detoxification of metal-based preservatives so repatriation can occur. 

Current students:  
Sladjana Subotic (MS)

Acid Mine Drainage Impact and Remediation

Acid mine drainage (acidic metal-laden wastewater from the mining industry) is a major source of metal contamination in the environment.  The use of metal-detoxifying bacteria is actively being investigated in metal-remediation approaches.  This project looks at both the use of microorganisms in the mitigation of toxic metals in soil and aquatic systems, as well how toxic metals influence the health of microbial communities in metal-impacted habitats.

Current students:
Nancy Huizar-Moreno (BS)
Kelsey Foster (MS)
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​Microbial Fuel Cells

As part of sustainability, alternative production of electricity is actively being investigated.  One new area of study is the use of microorganisms in the production of power in microbial fuel cells.  This project combines microbiology, electrochemistry, and engineering in an attempt to optimize microbial growth conditions for power production.

Current students:
Amira Alharbi (BS)
Jessica Romero (BS)
Project update:

​Sladjana successfully defended her thesis titled "Novel Method of Bioremediation and Characterization of Bacterial Communities on Arsenic-Impacted Museum Collections." Congratulations!
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Skin Microbiome
The early investigation into the pediatric etiology of eczema (atopic dermatitis) has lead into a study of the physical distribution of microorganisms associated with human skin.  Combining molecular sequencing techniques with traditional ecological (of the skin!) assessments, this project aims to increase our understanding of how the skin microbiome contributes to human health.

Current students:
Gabrielle Rietz (BS)