Geobiology

Microbe/Mineral interactions Deep Biosphere Biogeochemical Cycles (past and present) Biogeochemistry Biosedimentology Paleobiology Biosignatures/Astrobiology Faculty

The Department of Earth Sciences is one of the core departments in USC's Geobiology initiative and has a strong interest in pushing the boundaries of interdisciplinary research. Geobiology is an emerging field of research that focuses on the interface between Earth and life sciences. Life has left its imprint on the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, and the geosphere, and these systems have undoubtedly left their own signatures on life as it has evolved. Geobiological study at USC is dedicated to deciphering the interaction of the Earth and its biosphere at all scales, from small to large, from ancient to modern.

USC is home to one of the most exciting and extensive Geobiology programs in the world. In the past decade, USC has brought together a diverse group of scientists covering virtually all of the areas required to launch an intellectual assault on the major questions in Geobiology. These areas include: geology, biology, chemistry, geochemistry, paleobiology and, more recently, molecular genetics and genomics. The Geobiology initiative at USC spans multiple departments and schools:

• USC Geobiology Group
• USC Wrigley Institute of Environmental Studies
• USC Marine Environmental Biology
• Molecular Computational Biology
• Los Angeles County Natural History Museum
• Center for Chinese Fossil Discoveries, a joint center between our Department and the Natural History Museum

We seek students with interests in any of these areas of Geobiology, with a background in any of the following: ocean science, biogeochemistry, geochemistry, geology, geobiology, paleobiology, biology, mathematics or chemistry. Students with broad interests in Geobiology are urged to apply.

Research Opportunities

Microfluidics applied to microbial ecology

The interactions of microbes and minerals have shaped our planet, and the signs of this activity are carved into rock all around the world. The International GeoBiology Summer course, directed by Will Berelson and Frank Corsetti (and John Spear from Colorado School Mines) will examine this microbe-mineral activity and its imprint during an intensive 4-week course that includes travel to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming; to the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado, and to USC research labs on Catalina Island off the coast of California. Participants receive hands-on experience in geobiology research methods and work in small groups to solve research questions.