Sarahi Garcia

Sarahi Garcia is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, and leads the Group Garcia. The group investigates microbial interactions in aquatic environments and their influence on the carbon cycle, combining cultivation and cultivation-independent techniques such as shotgun sequencing, single-cell genomics, and "omics" approaches. Their research prioritizes both cutting-edge science and researcher well-being, emphasizing mental health in academic environments.

Their work integrates holistic (environmental sample community analysis) and reductionist (targeted single-cell studies) methodologies with model communities to address ecological questions about microbial functions and diversity. The group collaborates with SciLifeLab and focuses on fields like Biodiversity, Community Ecology, Ecosystem Services, and Marine Reserves. Their recent publications highlight microbial auxotrophies, carbon fixation mechanisms, and genomic adaptations in freshwater and permafrost environments.

Group members include PhD students Armando Pacheco Valenciana and Alejandro Rodríguez Gijón, alongside staff scientist Justyna Hampel from the Department of Environmental Science. The research bridges microbial ecology, genomic analysis, and environmental sustainability, with applications in biogeochemical cycling, pollutant degradation, and climate change resilience.