Jennifer Glass

Dr. Jennifer Glass is an Associate Professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology, affiliated with the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. Her research bridges astrobiology, biogeochemistry, and microbial ecology, focusing on how trace metals influence microbial processes in extreme environments.

Education

• Ph.D., Geological Sciences, Arizona State University (2011)
• B.Sc., Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington (2006)
• B.Sc., Oceanography, University of Washington (2006)

Dr. Glass investigates:

• Environmental controls on methane and nitrous oxide cycling in terrestrial and marine ecosystems
• Biogeochemical cycles of bioessential trace elements
• Marine microbiology, particularly anaerobic metabolisms
• Integration of omic and geochemical datasets to understand microbial interactions
• Co-evolution of microbial metabolisms and ocean chemistry over Earth's history

Her recent publications highlight trends in methane hydrate stability, nitrogen cycling microbes, and the role of metals in prebiotic chemistry. These works span disciplines including Climate Science, Planetary Habitability, and Environmental Microbiology.

Scientific Awards

• American Geophysical Union - Thomas Hilker Early Career Award for Excellence in Biogeosciences (2021)
• American Society of Microbiology - Alice C. Evans Award for Advancement of Women (2021)
• Kavli Fellow (2018)
• NSF Graduate Research Fellow (2007-2010)
• NASA Astrobiology Postdoctoral Fellow (2011-2013)

Dr. Glass leads the Glass Lab, which integrates omic and geochemical approaches to study microbial processes in extreme environments. Her team's 2024 research includes studies on oxygen-deficient zone nitrogen cycling and methane clathrate binding proteins.