JACK GILBERT

JACK GILBERT is a Professor at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the UC San Diego School of Medicine, with a joint appointment in the Department of Pediatrics and leadership roles as Director of the Microbiome and Metagenomics Center and the Microbiome Core Facility. His interdisciplinary work bridges medical, environmental, and marine microbiology.

• Research focus: Microbial ecology, host-microbe-environment interactions, and human/environmental health.
• Education: PhD in Molecular Microbiology (Nottingham University, UK), BSc in Marine Biology (King’s College London).

Research Interests: The Gilbert Lab investigates microbial ecology across diverse systems, including human-microbiome interactions (e.g., gut-brain axis, preterm infant health), built environment microbiomes (e.g., hospitals, homes), and climate change mitigation through soil microbiome interventions. His work also explores the role of microbiomes in marine health, such as coral reef disease and bioremediation of DDT pollution.

Scientific Awards:

• Crain’s Chicago 40 Under 40 (2014)
• Business Insider’s 50 Most Influential Scientists (2015)
• Popular Scientist’s Brilliant Ten (2015)
• Altemeier Prize (2016)
• WH Pierce Prize (2016)
• IFF Microbiome Science Prize (2023)

Advising and Grants: Dr. Gilbert has advised recent graduates Dr. Neil Gottel, Dr. Emily Kunselman, and Ryan Chung (M.S.). His lab secures major funding, including the NIH’s $175M Nutrition for Precision Health program, and collaborates on NSF initiatives like the Research Experience and Mentoring (REM) program.

Labs and Teams: The Gilbert Lab at UCSD is a leader in microbiome research, actively involved in global collaborations, the National Institutes of Health, and innovative projects like Biologically Active Building Materials and Microbiome Sensors. The lab also contributes to public science initiatives such as the Earth Microbiome Project and American Gut Project.