Research:  Past and Present

            Jennifer's past research concentrated on characterizing the mineral assemblage, microbe-mineral interactions, and the mineralization of prokaryotes for the purpose of understanding how microorganisms acquire energy from the environment, and how they may be preserved within the rock record.  The samples collected for this study were collected from two high temperature (80º C), reducing (Eh -240mV), disaerobic hot springs from the Uzon Caldera, Kamchatka, Russia as part of a Microbial Observatory was established in 2003 within the Uzon.  The two hot springs studied were chosen due to the similar conditions believed to have occurred on early Earth and possibly other planets and/or moons. 

Currently, Jennifer is studying bacterial mineralization, except by looking at the effects viruses have on this process.  Viruses must effect the mineralization of bacteria given viruses attach to bacterial cell walls, infect the host cells, and cause cell death. If viral infections leave a distinct biosignature we may be able to identify and interpret the cause of cell death in the rock record, and in addition, gain further knowledge into the origins of life. 

 

Research Travel

 Uzon Caldera, Kamchatka, Russia (2003, 2004)