Please note: This talk is an afternoon talk.

Please join us for the next SGS talk; it will be hosted at the Artful Dodger; 

Biography 

Dr Joyce McBeth is Assistant Professor in Geological Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan. She is a geomicrobiologist; in her research she explores the role of microbes in driving geochemical chances in environments such as uranium mine ore and tailings, contaminated environments, and natural settings such as microbial mats. She uses a diverse suite of techniques to study microbe-mineral interactions and microbial communities, including synchrotron tools, molecular microbiological methods, culturing of bacteria, and mineralogical assessment.

Talk Abstract

Microbes are important drivers for elemental cycling and transformations in the geosphere.  In this talk Dr. McBeth will provide an introduction to the field of geomicrobiology, and an overview of the relevance of microbes to a wide range of earth science disciplines.  She will present examples of microbe-driven processes preserved in the rock record and the dynamic interactions that occur between microbes and their surroundings in modern geological environments.