Graduate students

Madison Green, PhD student

B.S. Chemical Engineering. 2022. Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA

I am a Ph.D. student in the School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech, where my research focuses on microbial ecology and bioinformatics. Broadly, I am interested in how microorganisms shape global biogeochemical cycles and how these processes respond to environmental change. My work centers on northern peatlands, ecosystems that store a disproportionate share of the world’s soil carbon and are highly sensitive to climate warming. 
My research primarily utilizes the SPRUCE experimental site in northern Minnesota as a model system to investigate how peatland microbial communities respond to warming and elevated carbon dioxide levels. I integrate multi-omics approaches with wet-lab experimentation to answer three core questions: who is present in these complex microbial communities, how their composition shifts under changing climate conditions, and what functional roles they play in carbon cycling. By pairing molecular tools with ecological context, my work seeks to clarify how climate-driven microbial change may alter ecosystem-scale feedbacks to the atmosphere. 
Before beginning my doctoral studies, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Georgia Tech. This interdisciplinary training informs my research approach, which combines quantitative analysis, systems-level thinking, and a deep interest in the mechanistic underpinnings of microbial processes. 
Looking ahead, my goal is to build a research program that bridges microbial ecology, environmental genomics, and climate science to improve our ability to predict ecosystem responses to global change. I am particularly motivated by collaborative, cross-disciplinary work and by mentoring students interested in environmental microbiology and computational biology. 

Gabrielle Krueger, PhD Student

B.S. Environmental Science. 2022. Ashland University, Ashland, OH

I am a Ph.D. student in the Ocean Sciences program at Georgia Tech where I study salt marsh restoration ecology. Salt marshes are intertidal ecosystems that provide vital services to surrounding communities such as storm surge protection, carbon, sequestration, and fisheries support among others. I am broadly interested in understanding how ecological interactions shape the health and resilience of salt marshes along the U.S. East Coast.

My work focuses on how mutualisms within the marsh, including with the native microbial community, contribute to its resilience under environmental stress. I primarily utilize field observations and wet-lab techniques to better understand how changes in environmental conditions and microbial community may impact plant performance and ecosystem stability. By linking microbial data with the environmental conditions, I aim to uncover the mechanisms that support healthy marsh function for use in restoration efforts.

Prior to beginning my doctoral studies, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Ashland University. This allowed me to develop my interest in ecology and incorporation of interdisciplinary data.

Cathryn Holmes, PhD student

B.A. Molecular and Cell Biology. 2023. University of California, Berkeley, CA

Maggie Straight, PhD student

B.S. Biological Sciences, Microbiology. 2021. University of Rochester, Rochester, NY

Ph.D. Candidate Ocean Science and Engineering                    June 2022 – Present

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow                          August 2024 – Present

The overall goal of my thesis research is to elucidate symbiotic interkingdom interactions that are vital to ecosystem health. I am studying the bacterial symbionts of algae and grasses.

Paige Farley-Klacik, MS Student

B.S. Biology. 2025. Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA

I’m interested in the role that the plant microbiome plays in the overall health of coastal ecosystems. I’m curious about how changing environments and climates influence the plants supporting biodiversity in salt marshes. Specifically, I am eager to understand how our knowledge of the plant microbiome can lead to practical solutions for the challenges salt marshes currently face. My overall goal is to contribute to the conservation and rehabilitation of coastal environments.

Outside of the lab, I spend my free time crafting in the park, hiking and biking around North Georgia, and training for triathlons. My greatest joy comes from being outside.