The breadth and depth of research in microbial sciences -at Harvard and beyond- is astounding. MSI seminars feature a world-class scientist presenting an hour-long formal talk in their area of expertise. Join us each month as we explore everything from the human microbiome to the deep sea.

This month, we welcome Dr. Brandy Toner: A deep-sea tour of global hydrothermal vents, one nanoparticle at a time

Brandy Toner is a Professor in the Department of Soil, Water, and Climate at the University of Minnesota. Her scientific discipline is geochemistry. There are many types of geochemists and Brandy’s research focuses on the chemical form and mobility of metals in the environment. This is important because metals are both necessary for life (like iron) and toxic (like arsenic or mercury). Brandy is a first generation college student and currently the only woman Professor in her department, but hopefully, that will change soon! As a kid, Brandy wanted to be an astronaut but motion sickness was a serious problem and the centrifuge was not an option. Instead of space exploration, some of her research takes her on expeditions deep underground or deep underwater.

This event is free and open to the entire microbial community.  After the seminar has ended, we invite you to join us at the Queen's Head pub in the basement of Memorial Hall to informally continue the microbial conversation over microbrews.