Lisa Gieg

Lisa Gieg is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Calgary, where she leads research in environmental microbiology. She holds a B.S. in Microbiology from the University of Alberta (1991) and Ph.D. in Microbiology from the same institution (1996). Her laboratory investigates microbial processes in energy environments, focusing on anaerobic hydrocarbon biodegradation pathways and applications in bioremediation and energy recovery.

Dr. Gieg's research examines how anaerobic microorganisms metabolize hydrocarbons and related compounds in contaminated environments and natural reservoirs. Her work elucidates novel biodegradation pathways under sulfate-reducing and methanogenic conditions through cultivation, analytical chemistry, and molecular biology approaches. Current applications include anaerobic bioremediation, enhanced methane recovery from marginal oilfields, biocorrosion mitigation, paraffin treatment, heavy oil recovery, oil sands tailings reclamation, and souring control.

Her recent publications demonstrate advances in understanding microbiologically influenced corrosion mechanisms, naphthenic acid biodegradation, piezophile microbiology, and enzyme biotechnology for oilfield applications. This research bridges fundamental microbial ecology with practical solutions for energy industry challenges.

Gieg teaches Microbial Physiology (CMMB 443) and Petroleum Microbiology (CMMB 545), training students in environmental microbiology concepts and techniques.