Staff

CBE Technical Operations and Analytical Lab Manager

Focus at the Core Labs

Overall CBE operations and Analytical and Molecular Core management.
Training researchers to operate the core instruments.
Developing new or existing methods for their specific needs and questions.
Mentoring users at all stages, from planning and proposal writing through training, method development, troubleshooting, and data analysis.
Running samples for visitors and industrial associates, including testing services agreements.

Linking the activity and structure of microbial populations to cellular physiology and ecosystem processes.
Development of imaging live cell approaches for biofilm characterization, including fluorescence lifetime imaging, bioorthogonal non-canonical amino acid tagging (BONCAT), stable isotope probing (SIP) in combination with Raman Confocal
Microspectroscopy (RCM).
Studying biofilm formation and persistence by Integrating field observations, in situ experimentation, and laboratory-based studies with environmentally relevant model microorganisms.
Identifying mechanisms for enhanced survival in biofilms from extreme environments (e.g., low temperature, low pH, heavy metals, nutrient-limited, brackish).

367A Barnard Hall
kristen.connolly@montana.edu

CBE Bioimaging Core Facility Manager
Assistant Research Professor, MCB

Developing imaging techniques and technology to understand how different microorganisms within complex microbial communities interact in diverse environments.
Developing new ways to bring together disparate microscopy platforms that benefit CBE researchers and industrial members.

Linking the activity and structure of microbial populations to cellular physiology and ecosystem processes.
Development of imaging live cell approaches for biofilm characterization, including fluorescence lifetime imaging, bioorthogonal non-canonical amino acid tagging (BONCAT), stable isotope probing (SIP) in combination with Raman Confocal
Microspectroscopy (RCM).
Studying biofilm formation and persistence by Integrating field observations, in situ experimentation, and laboratory-based studies with environmentally relevant model microorganisms.
Identifying mechanisms for enhanced survival in biofilms from extreme environments (e.g., low temperature, low pH, heavy metals, nutrient-limited, brackish).

316 Barnard Hall
heidi.smith@montana.edu

Assists with Bioimaging Core Facility

Assistant Research Professor, CBED

Combining laboratory and field approaches to study microbes, their processes, and physiological adaptations in terrestrial icy ecosystems (glaciers and ice sheets).
Studying frozen analog sites on Earth to understand the potential of past and present habitability of exoplanets.
Bio-prospecting of cold-dwelling microbes for industrial applications, Ice nucleation potential of anthropogenic pollutants.
Identifying the importance of biofilms in cold-temperature environments.

366 Barnard Hall
markus.dieser@montana.edu