Dr. Caitlin Petro, Research Scientist II
B.A. Biology. 2011. New College of Florida, Sarasota, FL
M.S. Marine Microbiology. 2015. Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany.
Ph.D. Microbiology. 2018. Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
I am an ecologist whose research interests center on understanding how ecosystems are shaped by climatic change. Specifically, my work focuses on the ‘unseen majority’—microbial communities that play key roles in maintaining the health and functioning of all ecosystems on Earth. Throughout my career, I have explored the diversity and function of microorganisms present in a multitude of systems ranging from open oceans and subseafloor sediments to boreal mosses and deep peat deposits. My focus has been to understand the role that microbial communities play in driving critical ecosystem processes, and the adjoining effect that environmental conditions have in shaping resident microbial communities.
As a Research Scientist in the Kostka Lab at Georgia Tech, I investigate how microbial community structure and function influence carbon storage and greenhouse gas emissions in ecosystems vulnerable to climate change, including wetlands, boreal forests, and coastal sediments. By combining integrative omics with field observations, I seek to establish predictive links between microbial activity, environmental gradients, and biogeochemical cycles.
My prevailing hope, which has been the undercurrent of all my research, is that a deeper understanding of microbial ecology can be used toward environmental mitigation and preservation of critical ecosystem functions. I feel a strong personal motivation to work toward answering questions that I believe to be crucially important for the future of this planet.
In my free time, I enjoy all things gardening, including growing native plants, fruits, and vegetables outdoors and tropical plants indoors. I also enjoy weightlifting, listening to podcasts, embroidery, and walking my dogs.
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