Mark Kozubal | GK12

Mark Kozubal

Tue, 2007-10-30 20:00 — freddd

Kozubal, Mark Department Land Resources & Environmental Sciences Degree PhD Email mark.kozubal@myportal.montana.edu Personal Web Page
Belgrade Middle School Teacher Partner Kim Popham Fellowship Year 2007
Research Currently my research is focused on the microbial ecology of acidic geothermal springs in Norris Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Research Background Currently my research is focused on the microbial ecology of acidic geothermal springs in Norris Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park (YNP). Specifically, I am studying the relationship between geochemical and microbial processes in acid sulfate chloride (ASC) geothermal springs, focusing primarily on zones containing microbially mediated iron/arsenic "mats." My primary project goals are to link the activities of specific microbial populations with geochemical processes including the redox cycling of iron and arsenic and the biomineralization of these iron/arsenic phases. The orange to red iron "mats" in these acidic geothermal springs can contain up to 30% by weight arsenic, and these types of formations are unique to a complex set of geochemical conditions that are analogous only to hydrothermal vent fluids and acid mine drainage. Linking microbial populations and physiological processes with the biomineralization and dissolution of these arsenic-rich, iron "mats" has practical applications in subsurface contamination/ remediation, water quality concerns for arsenic removal, and in treating acid-mine drainage which generally contains significant levels of iron, sulfate and arsenic. To date, I have been successful in isolating several novel thermophilic Fe oxidizing microorganisms and have shown that these organisms are important in several YNP geothermal habitats. In particular, one of the isolates is a novel member of the Sulfolobales family (a Crenarchaeote) that is distributed across numerous acidic, high Fe geothermal features in YNP. This low pH, Fe-oxidizing organism is most closely related to members of the Metallosphaera genera, but this is the first characterization of such an organism from YNP. The distribution of this organism in YNP suggests that it is one of the more important members of Archaea found in high temperature, acidic environments. In addition, I am in the process of obtaining genomic data from this isolate and am currently comparing its new genome to other archaeal genomes. Currently we have been successful at finding genes that may be linked to iron oxidation and are currently working on understanding the RNA expression of these genes which will naturally lead to the isolation of iron oxidizing proteins which could have a profound impact for bioremediation and bioleaching of iron ore. In addition the proteins may have practical applications in the biomedical fields, previous work by other labs has linked a iron oxidizing protein (rusticyanin) from a bacterial species toG1 arrest in J774 and apoptosis in human cancer cells (Yamada, T. et. al., 2004) Bio Currently my research is focused on the microbial ecology of acidic geothermal springs in Norris Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National I graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1989 with a strong science background and a well-rounded foundation for my undergraduate degree. In 1994, I received my Bachelors degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from the University of California at San Diego with minors in Political Science and Music Theory. While at UC San Diego, I was a teaching assistant for a lower division chemistry course, was a preceptor's honor student and volunteered for three years with A.S.K. (Active Students for Kids) as an elementary school mentor tutoring individual students in math and science and helping teachers with their educational instructions. From 1995 to 2003 I was employed at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in the Analytical and Environmental Chemistry group. I built a strong knowledge base in analytical and environmental chemistry instrumentation, environmental regulations, computer software and networking programs.While at Los Alamos, I continued to pursue academic interests and completed graduate level coursework at the University of New Mexico in molecular and cell biology, environmental policy, and environmental toxicology, as well as undergraduate coursework in ecology, geology and Spanish. In addition, I volunteered in the community as an Emergency Medical Technician, was a Lunch Buddy Volunteer with elementary school students for four years and was a member of the Los Alamos Volunteer Task force for trail improvement and Cerro Grande Fire mitigation. As a Lunch Buddy Volunteer, I was responsible for tutoring underprivileged students while building a strong friendship outside the classroom. I chose to continue with an advanced degree in environmental sciences in 2003 and quickly concluded that the Land Resources and Environmental Sciences program at Montana State University is the ideal program to match my work experiences, interests, philosophy and education in biological, environmental and political sciences. While at Montana State University I have had many opportunities for a multidisciplinary education including the current GK-12 fellowship and also a fellowship with the Inland Northwest Research Alliance (INRA). My experience as an INRA fellow was outstanding in that it combined a wide range of student and faculty talent from eight universities and the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) focusing on advanced education in subsurface processes. The INRA course emphasized practical knowledge and integration of soil physics, subsurface mapping, geology, hydrology, geochemistry, kinetics, and subsurface microbial processes in the context of actual field studies. I have also participated in a Thermal Biology Institute (TBI) outreach program with science teachers from Montana grade schools with the goal of educating teachers about the unique role of microbes in Yellowstone geothermal systems by engaging them with outdoor lectures and hands on activities designed to be used in their own classrooms.