Student Researchers: David Arriola, Cody Ryan, Nathan Singh, Kelsey Unruh

Research in Dr. Cummings lab is focused on understanding the ways in which microorganisms influence the fate and transport of metals in the environment. A typical soil contains between one million and ten billion prokaryotic cells in a single gram. Metals, such as iron and chromium, are naturally present in these soil ecosystems as well as due to anthropogenic (human caused) contamination. One of the most important microbe-metal interactions is that of reduction, or the addition of electrons. Oxidized metals can serve as respiratory terminal electron acceptors when oxygen is limited, resulting in reduced metal species whose chemistry is dramatically altered from the oxidized form. Dr. Cummings research attempts to better understand the processes that control these reactions in complex communities and in pure cultures. This work has practical applications in cleaning up toxic waste sites. Current research is focused on the Tijuana River Estuary and the acidophilic metal reducer Acidiphilium cryptum.