Ferran Garcia-Pichel
Regents' Professor and Center Director, School of Life Sciences
Center Director & Professor, Biodesign Center for Fundamental & Applied Microbiomics
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BDI B330A TEMPE, AZ 85287
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Mail code: 6101Campus: Tempe
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Long Bio
Ferran Garcia-Pichel and his collaborators study the roles, adaptations, and impacts of microbes in natural environments that range from desert soils to shallow marine waters. The microbes they study play roles ofecologicalimportance, including the formation and destruction of minerals, the prevention of soil erosion, or the biogeochemicalcycling of nutrients.
His current foci on microbial adaptations involve studying mechanisms carbonatedissolution, the production of sunscreen compounds, and the microbial ability to produce hydrogen from water. Current applied aspects of their researchincludedeveloping strategies for the sustainable recovery of degraded arid lands and searching for novel microbial capacities and products that have potential use in biomedicine and technology.
Professor Garcia-Pichel is also interested in improving undergraduate and graduate education. He teaches entry-level microbiology, advanced microbial ecology and geomicrobiology courses. He joined the faculty of Arizona State University in 2002.
Education
- Ph.D. in Microbiology, University of Oregon
CV
Research Website URL
Google Scholar URL
Publications
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Research Activity
- Kavazanjian,Edward*, Allenby,Braden Richard, Cadillo-Quiroz,Hinsby, Garcia-Pichel,Ferran, He,Ximin, Heimsath,Arjun, Krajmalnik-Brown,Rosa, Neithalath,Narayanan, Savenye,Wilhelmina C, Shock,Everett, Shock,Everett, Torres,Cesar I, Vivoni,Enrique, Vivoni,Enrique. Engineering Research Center for Bio-Mediated and Bio-Inspired Geotechnics (CBBG). NSF-ENG-EEC(8/1/2015 - 7/31/2020).
- Garcia-Pichel,Ferran*. Achieving dryland restoration through the deployment of enhanced biocrusts to improve soil stability fertility and native plant recruitment. UNIV OF COLORADO - BOULDER(9/30/2013 - 2/28/2016).
- Garcia-Pichel,Ferran*. EUENDOLIGHT. (9/15/2013 - 12/31/2015).
- Day,Thomas*, Garcia-Pichel,Ferran. Collaborative Research: Photodegradation in deserts: litter optical and structural considerations. NSF-BIO-DEB(5/1/2013 - 4/30/2017).
- Garcia-Pichel,Ferran*. Intracellular metal pumping in microbial excavation by microbes. NSF-GEO(9/1/2012 - 8/31/2016).
- Garcia-Pichel,Ferran*. Regulation of microbial sunscreen biosynthesis. NSF-BIO(5/1/2012 - 4/30/2016).
- Garcia-Pichel,Ferran*. Biological Soil Crust Community Structures Associated with Shrub Desiccation. US-ISRAEL BINATL SCIENCE FDN(10/1/2011 - 9/30/2014).
- Stromberg,Juliet C*, Garcia-Pichel,Ferran. SCERP FY08: Environmental Controls on Biofilm Development in Effluent-dominated Waterways. SAN DIEGO STATE UNIV(6/1/2008 - 4/30/2011).
- Garcia-Pichel,Ferran*. Microbial Distributions in North American Biological Soil Crusts: Exploring the Great Divide. NSF-BIO(9/15/2007 - 8/31/2013).
- Garcia-Pichel,Ferran*. Functional Constraints in Microscale Carbon and Nitrogen Cycling by Biological Soil Crusts. USDA-CSREES(8/1/2007 - 7/31/2011).
- Hartnett,Hilairy*, Hartnett,Hilairy*, Anbar,Ariel David, Anbar,Ariel David, Garcia-Pichel,Ferran. Biogeochemistry of Desert Crust Communities: Organic Carbon and Trace Metal Dynamics. NSF-GEO(9/15/2005 - 3/31/2010).
- Farmer,Jack*, Garcia-Pichel,Ferran. Geomicrobiology and Fossil Biosignatures of Cold-Spring Carbonates (Tufas), Mono Lake (CA) and the Pleistocene Lahonton Basin. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(9/15/2005 - 9/14/2009).
- Mchenry,Albert L*, Alford,Terry Lynn, Alford,Terry Lynn, Allison,Maria Teresa, Allison,Maria Teresa, Castillo-Chavez,Carlos, Crouch,Peter Evans, De Los Santos Jr,Alfredo G, Diaz,Rodolfo Enrique, Francisco,Wilson Alex, Garcia,Antonio Agustin, Garcia-Pichel,Ferran, Glick,Milton D, Johnson,Paul Carr, Keller,Gary D, Menendez,Jose, Moore,Ana L, Page Jr,Robert Eugene, Peralta,Pedro D, Phillips,Elizabeth Deutsch, Rivera,Daniel E, Rodriguez,Armando A, Villalobos,Jesus R, Wheeler,Quentin Duane, Young,David A. More Graduate Education at Mountain States Alliance (MGEMSA) AGEP Phase II (2004-2009). NSF-EHR(3/1/2005 - 3/31/2015).
- Garcia-Pichel,Ferran*. MECHANISMS OF CARBONATE DISSOLUTION BY BORING CYANOBACTERIA. NSF-GEO(8/15/2003 - 7/31/2009).
- Garcia-Pichel,Ferran*, Neuer,Susanne. Microscale Carbon and Nitrogen Cycling in Biological Desert Crusts. USDA-CSREES(8/1/2003 - 7/31/2007).
- Garcia-Pichel,Ferran*. GENOMIC APPROACHES TO THE GEOMICROBIOLOGY OF INTERTIDAL EVAPORITES. NASA-AMES RESEARCH CTR(3/1/2003 - 2/28/2005).
- Garcia-Pichel,Ferran*, Nash,Thomas H, Schmidt,Jean M. PROKARYOTIC DIVERSITY OF BIOLOGICAL SOIL CRUSTS IN ARIDLANDS OF N. AMERICA. NSF-BIO(6/1/2002 - 5/31/2009).
- Garcia-Pichel,Ferran*. MUTAGENESIS OF SUNSCREEN-BEARING CYANOBACTERIA. SKIN CANCER FDN(2/1/2002 - 1/31/2003).
- Garcia-Pichel,Ferran*. ECOGENOMICS: MOLECULAR BIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF HYPERSALINE BACTERIAL COMMUNITIES. NASA-AMES RESEARCH CTR(12/1/2000 - 11/30/2002).
- Garcia-Pichel,Ferran*. MICROSCALE NITROGEN AND CARBON CYCLING IN BIOLOGICAL DESERT CRUSTS. USDA-CSREES(12/1/2000 - 6/30/2003).
- Farmer,Jack*, Blankenship,Robert E, Buseck,P R, Buseck,P R, Christensen,Philip R, Cronin,John Read, Dowling,Thomas Edmunds, Dowling,Thomas Edmunds, Elser,James Joseph, Elser,James Joseph, Fagan,William Fredric, Garcia-Pichel,Ferran, Greeley,Ronald, Holloway,John Requa, Knauth,L Paul, Leshin,Laurie Ann, Mccartney,Martha Rogers, Minckley,W L, Oday,Peggy Anne, Pizzarello,Sandra, Sharp,Thomas, Tang,Carol Marie. EXPLORING THE LIVING UNIVERSE: ORIGIN, EVOLUTION & DISTRIBUTION OF LIFE IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM. NASA-AMES RESEARCH CTR(7/1/1998 - 12/31/2004).
Courses
2023 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
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| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MIC 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
2022 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
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| MIC 591 | Seminar |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
2022 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
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| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MIC 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
2021 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| MIC 591 | Seminar |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
2021 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MIC 495 | Undergraduate Research |
2020 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| MIC 591 | Seminar |
2020 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MIC 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
2019 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
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| LIA 294 | Special Topics |
| BIO 598 | Special Topics |
| MIC 598 | Special Topics |
| SES 598 | Special Topics |
| MIC 591 | Seminar |
| BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
2019 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MIC 495 | Undergraduate Research |
2018 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| MIC 495 | Undergraduate Research |
2018 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MIC 495 | Undergraduate Research |
Presentations
- F. Garcia-Pichel. OMICS approaches to the study of biological soil crusts. Confernece on OMICS apporaches in soisl scinece, Nanjing, China (Nov 2012).
- Garcia-Pichel F. Mechanisms for bioerosion in euendolithic cyanobacteria: minerals, enzymes and bugs. Geological Society of America Annual Meeting (Oct 2012).
- F. Garcia-Pichel, R. Potrafka V. Loza, P. Mateo S. Bates T. Soule. Microbial biodiversity and function in biological soil crusts: Among the good, the bad and the ugly, some like it hot. Confernece on the Ecology of the Colorado Plaetau, Fagstaff (Oct 2012).
- Ferran Garcia-Pichel, Edgardo Ramírez-Reinat & Qunjie Gao. How cyanobacteria bore. Soc. Limnol. Oceangraphy meeting, Puerto Rico (Feb 2012).
- F. Garcia-Pichel Dörte Hoffmann Martin F. Wojciechowski Ankita Kothari. Farming cyanobacterial mats for the sustained production of biohydrogen. EU Conference: Microorganisms for Bio-fuel Production from Sunlight, Biolefeldt (Sep 2011).
- Alexander, K, Hartnett, H, Anbar, A, Beraldi, H, Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. Isotopic Composition of Organic and Inorganic Carbon in Desert Biological Soil Crust Systems. American Geophysical Union Meeting (Nov 2006).
- Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. Microscale C and N cycling in biological soil crusts. Soil Science Society of America Annual Meeting (Nov 2006).
- Beraldi-Campesi, H, Garcia-Pichel, Ferran, Hartnett, H, Anbar, A, Alexander, K. Potential biosignatures in biological soil crusts. IV Congreso Latinoamericano de Sedimentologia. San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina (Oct 2006).
- Chacon, E, Das, Sutapa, Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. Cultivating an euendolithic cyanobacterium. Geol. Soc. America, Ann Meeting Philadelphia (Oct 2006).
- Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. Biological soil crusts: Earth's most extensive biofilm. International Society for Microbial Ecology Meetings (Sep 2006).
- Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. Biological soil crusts: habitat for phototrophs. XIII Symposyum on Photosynthetic Prokaryotes (Sep 2006).
- Garcia-Pichel, Ferran, Wojciechowsky, M. Convergent evolution of cyanobacterial ropemakers: microbes that hold their ground. XIII Symposyum on Photosynthetic Prokaryotes (Sep 2006).
- Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. Carbon and Nitrogen cycling in biological soil crusts. USDA SOILS PROGRAM PI MEETING (Nov 2005).
- Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. Els microorganismes com a agents promotors i esmorteïdors de l'erosió dels sediments i del sòl. Seminar of the Ecology Section of the Catalan Society for Biology (Nov 2005).
- Beraldi-Campesi, H, Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. How old are biological soil crusts?. 8th Biennial Conference on Research on the Colorado Plateau, Flagsstaff (Nov 2005).
- Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. Resiliency to change of microbial community structure in microbial mats. E. U. Networks of Excellence: "Microbial diversity and ecosystem functions", Barcelona, Spain (Sep 2005).
- De Wit, R, Taton, A, Wilmotte, A, Abed, R, Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. WHAT CAN WE LEARN ABOUT BIODIVERSITY BY COMPARING MICROBIAL MATS MAINTAINED AS LABORATORY MODEL SYSTEMS WITH THEIR NATURAL COUNTERPARTS?. American Society fro Limnology and Oceanography Summer Meerting, Santiago de Compostela (Jun 2005).
- Johnson, S, Day, J, Neuer, S, Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. Microbial nitrogen cycling with biological soil crusts of the Colorado Plateau. International Society for Microbial Ecology, 10th Congress. Cancun, Mexico (Nov 2004).
- Nagy, M, Perez, A, Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. Prokaryotic diversity in typical, pristine biological soil crusts from the Sonoran Desert. International Society for Microbial Ecology, 10th Congress. Cancun, Mexico (Sep 2004).
- Reddy, S, Nagy, M, Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. Bacterial divesity in desert crust of the Colorado Plaetau. International Society for Microbial Ecology, 10th Congress. Cancun, Mexico (Sep 2004).
- Torrentera, L, Chachon, E, Wojciechowsky, M, Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. Development of molecular methodology for the cultivation-independent study of hydrogen metabolism in microbial communities. International Society for Microbial Ecology, 10th Congress. Cancun, Mexico (Sep 2004).
- Chacon, E, Perez, A, Berrendero, E, Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. DNA-Analysis and molecular signatures of microboring phototrophic communities in marine carbonates from Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. Societe Geologique de France Workshop on Microbialites (Paris) (Sep 2004).
- Chacon, E, Ramirez, E, Wijciechowsky, M, Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. Molecular and geologic signatures of microboring phototrophic communities in marine carbonates of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. International Society for Microbial Ecology, 10th Congress. Cancun, Mexico (Sep 2004).
- Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. The geochemical paradox of boring cyanobacteria. Societe Geologique de France Workshop on Microbialites (Paris) (Sep 2004).
- Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. (Johnson , Youngkin, Budinoff, Garcia-Pichel) Microscale analysis of microbial nitrogen cycling in b. NAI Gral Meeting
- Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. (Johnson S, Youngkin D, Budinoff C, Garcia-Pichel ) Microscale analyses of microbial nitrogen. AZ-NV Branch ASM Ann Meet
- Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. (Nagy M, Wagner C, Garcia-Pichel, F). Characterization of Culturable bacteria frombiological soil. AZ-NV Branch Ann Meet
- Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. (Rothrock M J, and Garcia-Pichel). Community structure and diversity of cyanobacterial and. ALSO annual meeting
- Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. (Rothrock, F Garcia-Pichel) Community structure and diversity of cyanobacterial and bacter. NAI Gral Meeting
- Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. (Wade B and F Garcia-Pichel) Evaluation of DNA extraction methods fro molecular analyses of. ASLO annual meeting
- Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. (Wade, Rothrock, Garcia-Pichel) A comparison of 16S rDNA sequences from cyanobacteria that. NAI Gral Meeting
- Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. Farmer, Garcia-Pichel, Wade, Routt) Morphogenesis, microbial fossilization processes and b. NAI Gral Meeting
- Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. Molecular Lessons learned in Bacteriology and Algology Systematics. Workshop on: The role of molecular phylogeny for plant systematics
- Beraldi-Campesi, H, Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. Recognizing fossil Biological Soil Crust-like structures. American Society for Microbiology Arizona/ Southern Nevada Branch Meeting-
- Garcia-Pichel, Ferran, Soule, T, Stout, V, Swingley, W, Meeks, J. Molecular genetics and genomic analyses of scytonemin biosynthesis in Nostoc punctiforme ATCC 29133. Cyanobacterial Molecular Biology Workshop
- Ramirez-Reinat, E, Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. . Euendolithic cyanobacteria caught in the act of carbonate-boring by using real-time, fluorophor-enabled confocal fluorescence microscopy. American Society for Microbiology Arizona/ Southern Nevada Branch Meeting
- Ramirez-Reinat, E, Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. How cyanobacteria bore. International Symposium on Environmental Biogeochemistry
- Soule, T, Stout, V, Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. Molecular genetics of cyanobacterial sunscreen. American Society for Microbiology Arizona/ Southern Nevada Branch Meeting
- Soule, T, Swingley, W, Meeks, J, Garcia-Pichel, Ferran. Molecular genetics and genomic analyses of scytonemin biosynthesis in Nostoc punctiforme ATCC 29133. American Society for Microbiology General Meeting
- Strauss, S, Ruhland, C, Garcia-Pichel, Ferran, Day, T. Microbial colonization in a recently exposed glacial foreland of the Antarctic Peninsula. International Symposium on Environmental Biogeochemistry
Service
- NASA-Astrobiology Institute Panel Review, Panel Member (2012 - Present)
- Scholarly Journals, Ad hoc reviewer (2012 - Present)
- School of Life Sciences, Associate director for Research and Training inititives (2011 - Present)
- School of Life Sciences, Associate dean (director) for Facilities (2009 - Present)
- School of Life Sciences, Associate dean (director) for Facilities (2009 - Present)
- School of Life Sciences, Associate dean (director) for Facilities (2009 - Present)
- Interdisciplinary Microbiology Graduate Program, Chair, Executive Committe (2007 - Present)
- Center for Bioenergy and Photosynthesis, Executive Committee member (2007 - Present)
- Center for Bioenergy and Photosynthesis, Executive Committee member (2007 - Present)
- SoLS Safety Committe, appointed chair (2006 - Present)
- FEMS, Editor (2006 - Present)
- FEMS Microbiological Reviews, Editor (2006 - Present)
- FEMS Microbiological Reviews, Editor (2006 - Present)
- FEMS Microbiological Reviews, Editor (2006 - Present)
- FEMS Microbiological Reviews, Editor (2006 - Present)
- EEES Faculty Group personnel committee, elected member (2006 - Present)
- WAESO-Bridges to the Doctorate Program, Mentor and 2006 Cohort Co-Director (2006 - Present)
- NASA- Lunar & Planetary institute/ UNiversity Of Nevada, Reno, Instructor in "Life at the limits, and educator workshop and field trip" (2005 - Present)
- International Subcommittee for Taxonomy and Nomenclature of Phototrophic Bacteria, Member (2005 - Present)
- International Subcommittee for Taxonomy and Nomenclature of Phototrophic Bacteria, Member (2005 - Present)
- International Subcommittee for Taxonomy and Nomenclature of Phototrophic Bacteria, Member (2005 - Present)
- International Subcommittee for Taxonomy and Nomenclature of Phototrophic Bacteria, Member (2005 - Present)
- International Subcommittee for Taxonomy and Nomenclature of Phototrophic Bacteria, Member (2005 - Present)
- Gral Science Outreach, web page and public database (2003 - Present)
- NSF, USDA, NASA, NIH, ad hoc reviewer (2003 - Present)
- WAESO/MGE@MSA, Mentor, Faculty speaker (2003 - Present)
- Scholarly Journals, Ad hoc reviewer (2000 - Present)
- Scholarly Journals, Ad hoc reviewer (2000 - Present)
- Scholarly Journals, Ad hoc reviewer (2000 - Present)
- School of Life Sciences, Associate director for Research and Training inititives (2011 - 2013)
- American Society for Microbiology, ASM lecturer (2010 - 2013)
- School of Life Sciences, Associate dean (director) for Facilities (2009 - 2012)
- Microbiology Graduate Program, member Executive Committe (2007 - 2011)
- University of Arizona NIH/EPA Superfund Project, External Advisory Board Member (2004 - 2011)
- University of Arizona NIH/EPA Superfund Project, External Advisory Board Member (2004 - 2010)
- Microbiology Graduate Program, Chair, Executive Committe (2007 - 2009)
- University of Arizona NIH/EPA Superfund Project, External Advisory Board Member (2004 - 2008)
- American Society for Microbiology AZ/NV Branch, President Elect, Officer (2007 - 2008)
- Dean's Search Committe for Bioenergy Cluster (SoLS/Chem), member (2006 - 2007)
- NSF BIodiversity Surveys Panel, Member (2006 - 2006)
- Adjunct/Affiliate review committee, Chair (2005 - 2006)
- NASA-ASTED Panel Review, Panel Member (2006 - 2006)
- International Society for Microbial Ecology meeting, Co-Organizer (2004 - 2004)
- SoLS Strategic Planning Committee, appointed member (2004 - 2004)
- Dean's Search Committee for Director of SoLS, elected member (2003 - 2004)
- NSF, Microbial Observatories Program, Panelist (2003 - 2004)
- Adjunct/Affiliate review committee, member (2004)
- Intll Workshop on Microbialites (Societe Geologique de France), session on microbial divers, Co-organizer (2004)
- Science, Ad hoc reviewer (2004)
- SoLS Search Committee for positions in Biogeochemistry and Microbial Ecology, member (2004)
- Marine Biological Laboratory-- Microbial Diversity Course, Faculty (2004 - 2004)
- American Society for Limnology and Oceanography, Co-Organizer (2003 - 2003)
- SoLS Search Committee, Chair (2003 - 2003)
- CARSEF, Microbiology/Zoology Judge (2003)
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Committee on Academic Awards, Chair of Sciences Pool (2003)
- Dean's Committee for the Reorganization of the Life Sciences Departments, member (2003)
- Earth Science Day (Geology/Geography Dept), Prepared, manned display (2003)
- MEPAG. NASA'S Expert panel to provide guidance for payload in future Mars missions (2002-2003), Member (2003)
- NASA- Lunar & Planetary institute, Instructor in "the great desert" (2003)
- Organizational meetings of the Faculty of Organismal, Integrative and Systems Biology in the School, Co-convener (2003)
- Search Committee for 3 Associate Directors in the new School of the Life Sciences, Member (2003)