Becks Prescott

Becks Prescott is an Assistant Professor of Biology in the Department of Biology at the University of Mississippi, affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts. She leads the MISA Lab, focusing on microbial interactions in extreme environments such as lava caves, hypersaline ponds, and meteorites. Her work integrates field research in Hawaii and Iceland with community-based science education involving Indigenous communities and high school students.

Research Interests: Dr. Prescott's research centers on microbial ecology and evolution, especially quorum sensing in extreme environments. She investigates how microbial communities influence rock and meteorite weathering, with implications for astrobiology, planetary habitability, and sustainable agriculture on Earth and extraterrestrial bodies. Her lab also explores biomaterial development and preservation of extraterrestrial samples.

Her recent publications reveal a strong interdisciplinary focus bridging microbiology, genomics, and environmental science. Trends include the discovery of novel bacterial species from Mars analog sites, microbial utilization of meteoritic material, and the role of biofilms in ecological processes. Her work emphasizes open science and culturally relevant education.

Scientific Awards:

• No scientific awards explicitly mentioned in the text.

Advising and Grants: Dr. Prescott mentors students through directed studies (BISC 491, BISC 492) and graduate courses. She leads a federally supported research program that funds space-related microbiology and education initiatives. Her projects involve high school students in genome sequencing and species discovery, promoting STEM diversity and community engagement.

Labs and Teams: The MISA Lab, under Dr. Prescott’s leadership, conducts field and laboratory research in microbial ecology. The team collaborates with multi-institutional partners, Indigenous organizations like Kauluakalana, and educational institutions in Hawaii. The lab emphasizes inclusive, place-based science and sustainable applications in agriculture and space exploration.