About Me

Hello!  My name is  Caryl Ann Becerra.  This site was created to give a snapshot of who I am professionally.  Click here for my CV. 


In the broadest terms, I am a biogeochemist.  More specifically, I am a soil microbial ecologist.  My work is inherently multidisciplinary and collaborative, utilizing geochemical, molecular, and microbiological techniques in both field and laboratory experiments.

Education

Ph.D. Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

M.S. Geobiology, California State University of Los Angeles

B.A. Biochemistry and Environmental Science, Occidental College, Los Angeles


Awards/Honors

NEAGEP Postdoctoral Fellowship (2010-2011)

Ford Predoctoral Fellowship (2007-2010)

CEA-CREST Bridges to the PhD Fellowship (2004-2007)

CEA-CREST Graduate Fellow (2001-2003)

International Agouron Geology Program (2002)

Trustee Scholar, Occidental College (1997-2001)


Contact

caryl(dot)ann(dot)becerra(at)lifesci(dot)ucsb(dot)edu

Earth Research Institute

Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology

University of California

Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9620

Earth Research Institute        Department of Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology      University of California, Santa Barbara

In general, I am interested in research on how environmental changes affect microbial communities and in turn, ecosystem functioning.


Research topics that interest me


  1. • Microorganisms as the key driver of ecosystem processes: element cycling and microbe-mineral interactions

  2. • Environmental controls on microbial distribution, diversity, and activity

  3. • Microbial adaption and response to environmental stressors

  4. • Discovering novel microorganisms and metabolic processes