Cara M Santelli

Cara M Santelli is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Her research focuses on biogeochemical cycling of metals and metalloids, particularly examining the role of microorganisms in these processes and their environmental applications.

Her recent projects include:

• The Combined Impacts of Climate Change and Intensive Agriculture on Manoomin/Psi (Wild Rice) - Co-Principal Investigator with USDI U.S. Geological Survey
• Convergence Accelerator Track L: Real-time water pollutant monitoring with National Science Foundation - Principal Investigator
• Linking Manganese Reduction to Hydrocarbon Degradation with MN Pollution Control Agency - Principal Investigator
• CNH2-L: Co-creating socio-ecological knowledge with Indigenous communities - Collaborator
• Metal-Filtering Microbes project - Principal Investigator

Her research outputs show a strong focus on:

• Manganese and iron biogeochemistry
• Sulfur cycling in subsurface environments
• Fungal metal oxidation and reduction
• Bioremediation techniques
• Environmental impacts on wild rice
• Microbial community analysis in extreme environments

Her work has been recognized through citations in Scopus and readership metrics across various platforms including Mendeley and Bluesky. Santelli collaborates extensively with researchers from multiple disciplines and institutions.