I am a microbial ecologist that specializes in cyanobacterial ecology and diversity. As obligate phototrophs, cyanobacteria routinely occur in exposed areas where conditions can change dramatically both daily and seasonally. I primarily study the interactions between cyanobacterial communities and their environment; how they cope with various stresses like UVR, desiccation, high or low temperatures, high light intensities, etc.

For this trip, my research focuses on characterizing the different cyanobacterial mats present in Laguna Blanca. Part of my work will be to follow changes in photosynthesis within the mats over the course of each day. I will place plastic filters over some of the mats that will selectively block out ultraviolet radiation (UVR). By doing this, I hope to determine not only the daily patterns of photosynthetic activity but quantify the negative effect of UVR on each microbial mat. Real-time changes in photosynthesis will be measured using a technique called pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry. It is a non-invasive technique that utilizes the capacity of photosystems to absorb as well as give off light (fluoresce) to measure photosynthetic activity or capacity. Mat samples will also be collected and brought back to the NASA Ames Research Center for community analysis.