Annette Summers Engel, Ph.D.

Geomicrobiologist

Lindsey Johnson
B.S. Geology & Geophysics, LSU (2002-2006)
M.S. Geology & Geophysics, LSU (2008 - present)

Masters Thesis Project:  Lindsey is studying arsenic and antimony biogeochemical cycling from El Tatio geyser field in northern Chile. She has been working on the microbial diversity, and dissolved organic matter chemistry, too.

Cassie Gray
B.S. Geology Indiana State University
M.S. Geology & Geophysics, LSU (2008 - present)

Masters Thesis Project:  TBD

Kathleen Brannen
B.S. Louisiana State University (2006 - present)

Lab Manager

Chancellor's Student Aide

Observing the behavior of people working on stressful and demanding experiments is an interesting aspect of this job. Kathleen is primarily responsible for making sure the water system is refreshed and uncontaminated, for keeping the lab clean, organized, and without clutter, unpacking packages, maintaining the chemical and instrument inventories, checking calibrations of various instruments, bibliographic data entry, and making sure that everyone does their lab duties. Kathleen also helps people accomplish research tasks, and is fast becoming the lab mini-prep expert.

GEEK Club President

Brendan Donnelly
B.S. Louisiana State University (2006 - present)

Chancellor's Student Aide

Kelley Gwin
B.S. Louisiana State University (2005 - present)

Kelley is studying lucinid bivalve clam symbiosis, focusing on the diversity of different genes associated with the bacterial metabolism.

Justin Birdwell, Ph.D.
Ph.D. Louisiana State University (2007)

Research Interests: Justin is a Chemical Engineer who is interested in the cycling and processing of organic matter in natural systems. He is currently working on various projects in the lab, and you're likely to find him drawing some crazy stuff on a white board!

In the Geomicrobiology lab, Justin is working with the students to study organic geochemistry, particularly the properties of chromophoric dissolved organic matter.

Skylar White
B.S. Louisiana State University (2006 - present)

Angela Green-Garcia
B.S. Biology, University of Houston (2005)
M.S. Geology & Geophysics, LSU (2005-2008)

Masters Thesis Title: Characterization of the lucinid bivalve-bacteria symbiotic system: the significance of the geochemical habitat on bacterial symbiont diversity and phylogeny (link to download)


Angela was involved in GAEMP.

Kelli Willson Randall
B.S. Geology & Geophysics, LSU (2000-2004)
M.S. Geology & Geophysics, LSU (2004-2006)

Thesis Title: Assessing the potential impact of microbes in the Edwards and Trinity Aquifers of Central Texas (link to download)

Currently working at Marathon Oil Company, Houston, Texas.

Edwards Aquifer Project

Maureen Thiessen
B.S. Louisiana State University (2006 - Dec. 2007)

Chancellor's Student Aide