Roman Barco

Roman Barco is an Assistant Professor (Research) in Earth Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC). His work focuses on geomicrobiology, environmental microbiology, microbial physiology, and microbial taxonomy, with a strong emphasis on isolating novel microorganisms to study their interactions with minerals and environmental processes.

Education:

• Ph.D. Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, 2014
• B.S. Microbiology, California State University – Los Angeles, 2004

Research Interests: Roman's research explores microbial utilization of inorganic energy sources (e.g., Fe, S, H₂, Mn) and their interactions with minerals/rocks to understand elemental cycling. His studies bridge microbiology, geochemistry, and environmental science, with applications in astrobiology, bioremediation, and deep-sea ecosystems.

Recent Research Trends: His 2024 work includes innovative methods for trace metal bio-extraction, astrobiological studies of Mars analog environments, and proteomic analysis of iron-oxidizing microbes. Earlier studies (2020–2021) emphasized genomic taxonomy frameworks and microbial iron cycling in marine sediments.

Grants and Collaborations: While specific grants aren't listed, his postdoctoral training at USC and collaborations with institutions like the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences highlight strong interdisciplinary partnerships.

Labs/Teams: His research integrates fieldwork (e.g., Axial Seamount studies) with lab-based genomic and proteomic analyses, positioning him at the intersection of field microbiology and computational biology.