Dr Geo Santiago-Martínez PhD
Assistant Professor, University of Connecticut (UConn)
Dr Michel Geovanni Santiago-Martínez (Geo, he/him) is an Assistant Professor of Microbiology in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Connecticut. He leads the Microbial Ecophysiology Lab, where he and his team explore how cellular processes are regulated in methanogenic and non-methanogenic archaea. His research looks at the roles these fascinating microbes play in both natural environments and host-associated microbiomes, including those in animals and plants. By combining omics approaches with detailed studies of proteins, cofactors, and metabolites, his lab is building a clearer picture of how archaea function, adapt to stress, and interact with other organisms.
Originally from a rural area near Oaxaca, Mexico, Geo is proud of his Indigenous Zapotec and Mixtec roots. He completed his PhD in Microbiology at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), followed by postdoctoral work at Penn State in Microbiology and Biochemistry. His research also connects with astrobiology and the biochemistry of molecules involved in anaerobic microbial processes. He also contributes to the community as a peer reviewer for journals such as Frontiers in Microbiology, FEMS Microbes, and the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
Geo is passionate about making science more inclusive. He’s involved in mentoring and networking efforts that aim to support researchers from all backgrounds, and he works to bring greater visibility and understanding of archaea into classrooms and outreach spaces.
You can find out more about his work at https://microbial-ecophysiology-lab.mcb.uconn.edu/.
