Elizabeth Trembath-Reichert
Associate Professor,
School of Earth and Space Exploration
Other ASU affiliations
Water Institute
Senior Global Futures Scientist,
Global Futures Scientists and Scholars
School of Life Sciences Interdisciplinary Graduate faculty
Microbiology (PhD) program
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Phone: 480-727-2631
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ASU School of Earth and Space Exploration ISTB4 Tempe, AZ 85287-6004
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Mail code: 6004Campus: Tempe
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Long Bio
Dr. Trembath-Reichert is an interdisciplinary geomicrobiologist and astrobiologist studying how microbial life persists, adapts, and remains detectable near environmental and energetic limits. Her research integrates microbiology, geochemistry, bioinformatics, and field exploration to understand the boundary conditions of life across low-biomass and extreme environments, from the deep subsurface to Earth’s atmosphere.
Her laboratory specializes in quantifying single-cell microbial activity using stable isotope probing coupled with nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIP–NanoSIMS), with an emphasis on hidden and underappreciated carbon metabolisms and microbial strategies for persistence in low-energy ecosystems. Her work explores how metabolically flexible microbial communities shape carbon cycling, persistence, and habitability across Earth and potentially other planetary environments.
Education
- Ph.D. Geobiology, California Institute of Technology 2016
- M.S. Geobiology, California Institute of Technology 2013
- B.A. Environmental Science (Physics), Barnard College, Columbia University 2008
Video
Research Website URL
Google Scholar URL
Experts.asu.edu URL
ORCID Profile ID
Research Interests
- Investigating how microbial life persists, adapts, and remains active near environmental and energetic limits in low-biomass and extreme ecosystems.
- Quantifying single-cell microbial activity using stable isotope probing coupled with nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIP–NanoSIMS).
- Exploring hidden and underappreciated microbial carbon metabolisms, including heterotrophic inorganic carbon fixation and oxalate metabolism.
- Studying microbial activity and habitability across diverse environments, including the deep subsurface, hydrothermal systems, dry permafrost, drylands, and Earth’s atmosphere.
- Developing conceptual and methodological frameworks for understanding carbon cycling, biosignatures, and life detection on Earth and potentially other planetary environments.
Courses
2026 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 592 | Research |
| BCH 392 | Intro to Research Techniques |
| CHM 392 | Intro to Research Techniques |
2026 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| MBB 493 | Honors Thesis |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| GLG 461 | Geomicrobiology |
| GLG 598 | Special Topics |
| MIC 598 | Special Topics |
| MIC 461 | Geomicrobiology |
| CHM 494 | Special Topics |
| CHM 598 | Special Topics |
2025 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| MBB 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| SES 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| SES 220 | Biology of a Changing Earth |
| SES 792 | Research |
2025 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 592 | Research |
| BCH 392 | Intro to Research Techniques |
2025 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| MBB 493 | Honors Thesis |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| SES 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| GLG 461 | Geomicrobiology |
| GLG 598 | Special Topics |
| SES 220 | Biology of a Changing Earth |
| CHM 494 | Special Topics |
| CHM 598 | Special Topics |
| MIC 598 | Special Topics |
| MIC 461 | Geomicrobiology |
2024 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| MBB 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| SES 692 | Research |
2024 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 592 | Research |
2024 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| MBB 493 | Honors Thesis |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| SES 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
2023 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| MBB 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| SES 692 | Research |
| GLG 470 | Hydrogeology |
| GLG 598 | Special Topics |
2023 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 592 | Research |
2023 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| MIC 461 | Geomicrobiology |
| MIC 598 | Special Topics |
| GLG 461 | Geomicrobiology |
| GLG 598 | Special Topics |
| CHM 494 | Special Topics |
| CHM 598 | Special Topics |
2022 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| SES 592 | Research |
| SES 599 | Thesis |
| SES 692 | Research |
| GLG 470 | Hydrogeology |
| GLG 598 | Special Topics |
2022 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 592 | Research |
2022 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| MIC 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 592 | Research |
| MIC 461 | Geomicrobiology |
| MIC 598 | Special Topics |
| GLG 461 | Geomicrobiology |
| GLG 495 | Undergraduate Thesis |
| GLG 598 | Special Topics |
| CHM 494 | Special Topics |
| CHM 598 | Special Topics |
2021 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| GLG 101 | Intro to Geology I (Physical) |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| SES 592 | Research |
| SES 599 | Thesis |
| SES 692 | Research |
2021 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 592 | Research |
| SES 593 | Applied Project |
2021 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 592 | Research |
| MIC 461 | Geomicrobiology |
| MIC 598 | Special Topics |
| GLG 461 | Geomicrobiology |
| GLG 598 | Special Topics |
| CHM 598 | Special Topics |
| CHM 494 | Special Topics |