Microbes in agricultural landscapes play an essential role in soil health, food production, and the movement of nutrients through the environment. In this talk, Dr Adina Howe examines how understanding agricultural microbiomes can help us manage soils, crops, and waste in ways that support both environmental health and social equity. Drawing on research from crop systems, manure, and environmental monitoring, she explores the links between microbial activity, sustainable agriculture, and fair access to healthy environments. The talk considers the challenges of antibiotic resistance, nutrient management, and environmental monitoring, and looks at how microbial science can contribute to fairer and more resilient food systems.


Associate Professor, Iowa State University
Dr Adina Howe is an Associate Professor in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University, where she leads the Genomics and Environmental Research in Microbial Systems (GERMS) Lab. Her work sits at the interface of molecular biology, environmental engineering, and data science, with a focus on how microbial communities shape and are shaped by agricultural systems. Adina’s research uses high-throughput sequencing and computational biology to track microbial drivers of biogeochemical cycling, monitor environmental health through microbial biomarkers, and improve the scalability and sustainability of microbial data analysis. Whether investigating soil microbes in bioenergy crop systems or pathogens in wastewater, her approach is both rigorous and applied—driven by the belief that understanding microbes is key to designing fairer, healthier, and more sustainable food systems. Outside of the lab, she enjoys board games, recreational sports, and outdoor adventures with her family and dogs.