Mentor Search
Dr. Aude Picard
( University of Nevada, Las Vegas )
- Institution:University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Departments: school of life sciences
- Research Fields: Geomicrobiology, Environmental Microbiology, Biomineralization, Microbial Physiology, Microscopy
- Disciplines: Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology, General
- Funding:EPSCoR - Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, NSF - National Science Foundation
Mentoring
I have mentored >10 undergraduate students in my laboratory since starting at UNLV as an Assistant Research Professor in 2018. I am also involved in graduate committees in the School of Life Sciences (as committee member), and in the Geoscience Department (as graduate college representative). For the past two years, I have lead a writing workshop for senior undergrads and grad students to prepare grad fellowship applications.
Biography
Dr. Aude Picard’s research investigates microbe-mineral interactions in the context of microbial physiology, biogeochemistry and astrobiology. The focus is on interactions between sulfate-reducing microorganisms (SRM), which are ubiquitous in anoxic sedimentary environments, and iron sulfide minerals. Microscopy and spectroscopy are used to 1) understand the properties and transformation pathways of iron sulfide minerals in anoxic environments and at the oxic-anoxic interface; 2) evaluate if the composition, morphology and mineralogy of biominerals is unique enough to serve as biosignatures for the search of life on other planets; and 3) assess the role of minerals on microbial activity and survival.